Echoes from the Caverns

Hi Everyone! Here is the news of the week!

* The Making of Blackblade Foothills (19:45)

* Updates to New Content Threads: More Halloween and Oracle Items (29:14)

* Top 10 Priorities for Launch (Sept 2017 Edition) (34:10)

* Free Trial Test #6 (Sep 7-27) Continues! (48:34)

* Testing Incentives Program Reinstated (as a Lottery) (49:18)

* In The News: Dragon Con Interview Part 2 and More (58:06)

* Weekend Flash Sale: Water Homes, Water Lots, and Ship Decos (59:57)

* Upcoming Events Calendar (1:00:58)

* Livestream: Northwest Blackblade Mountains (1:02:28)

* Spotlight: Knight’s Watch Player Town (1:07:21)

* Event: Trial of Chaos – Are You Brave Enough? (1:13:52)

* Resources: Players Helping Players (01:14:45)

* Recommended Project to Support: Nox Archaist (01:15:15)

Hello everyone, this is Asclepius, with a further instalment of this wonderful story by Ulf Berht, entitled

“Virtue’s Forge”

Background music by Smartsound

 

” Chapter 9, “Landfall”

“Land ho!” the watch cried out. “Three points off starboard.”

“The Isle of Wonders,” announced Kaia, as Merlin came on deck. “We will be up the Brisach River and docking at Lochbrier within the hour. Merlin, Cook, Mr. Abrams, Tuey, Chin-ho, and Scott, with me. Pack light. We can only go so far upriver before it’s overland.”

”Captain, having a map of this trek of ours would allay some fears I have of being stranded in some domain as yet unknown to me.”

“Merlin, Cook here is a native of The Grunvald and can guide us to Desolis. But a map you shall have. Cook! Would you be so kind as to make up a map for our fearful wizard.”

“Aye, Captain,” said Cook. “Although, if he finds himself in need of a such map, I fear what remains of his life will be short.”

“You may be right, Cook. Just oblige me.”

“Aye, Captain.”

Merlin had little to do save watch as Kaia and her crew docked their boat and transferred the few supplies and equipment their little band could carry. The bridge at Lochbrier blocked the course of all but small vessels, so at least a day of rowing upstream lay ahead. Just before embarking on this leg of the journey, some much appreciated kegs of beer appeared on the dock. “This will make rowing more palatable,” thought Merlin.

Rowing was expected of all onboard save the captain. Four rowed while two rested, drank beer, and watched the river go by. Tuey and Chin-ho even broke into song, easing the passage of time and weary muscles. “I have rowed more since arriving here than I have in my entire life,” thought Merlin. “Some good will come from this should I ever have to swing a sword.”

Cook signaled a stop just before the Brisach made a major turn to the northeast. “With your permission Captain, we camp here for the night and head inland at first light,” he said.

“That will no doubt be agreeable to all,” Captain Kaia said as the dory’s keel crunched on the gravel shoreline. “Cook, Mr. Abrams, stay with Merlin and me. Tuey, and Scott, return to the crew in the morning. Mr. Chin-Ho, accompany them but ensconce yourself in Lochbrier for a week or two, then rejoin the crew. See what a few tongues, loosened by gold, can bring forth.”

“Tomorrow night we will be in bandit country, so there will be no fires. Before we leave tomorrow, pack enough of the rations. Prepare for at least two days’ march.”

“Carry on, Cook,” said Kaia. “Abrams and Merlin, with me.” She unfolded a map. “This has more detail than yours, Merlin, but is essentially the same. The Pass through the Vauban Mountains, here, is north by northeast of our position. That will be where we might expect Ulf to be. The pass and the area around the Sequanna Colossus is firmly in bandit control and must be avoided. Even our rendezvous in the Barrens contains some risk, so be ever alert.”

Greetings Fellow Avatars! On my own this week as our schedules could not match up!

Here’s what we have for you in this week’s edition of Update of the Avatar:

Game Development

* The Making of Northwest Blackblade Mountains     3:25

* New Content Threads: SeedInvest, Telethon Rewards, Halloween     9:30

News Announcements

* R45 Postmortem Missed Questions Answered     29:52

* SeedInvest Next Steps – Awarding of Perks         31:11

* Free Trial Test #6 (Sep 7-27) Now Live!                 34:08

* In The News: Richard and Starr Dragon Con Interviews         35:40

* Berek’s Panel at Austin Game Conference            44:10

* Lord British and Blackthorn at UO 20th Anniversary    46:40

* Portalarium is Hiring: Web Developer                   48:00

* Weekend Flash Sale: Pets, Clocks, & Moondials    49:12

* Make a Difference: Exodus by Helen Garriott        50:10

Community Updates

* Upcoming Events Calendar                                  53:00

* Spotlight: Serenite Crafting Museum                   54:13

* Event: AERIE Fund – Community Cause – Think Pink    1:01:11

* Resources: Players Helping Players                                1:02:40

* Recommended Project to Support: BrightLocker CrowdEquity Campaign   1:02:40

Hi Everyone! Here is the news of the week!

* The Making of South Longfall Wetland (21:25)

* The Making of Crooked Shank (cont.) (29:03)

* The Making of North Shattered Hills (cont.) (32:37)

* New Title for Weekly Update (36:10)

* Free Trial Test #6 (Sep 7-27) Now Live! (39:12)

* R45 Postmortem Telethon Results (41:13)

* Dragon Con 2017 Cosplay Contest Winners! (46:33)

* In The News: Richard Garriott and Starr Long Interview at Dragon Con (50:20)

* Portalarium is Hiring: Web Developer (51:30)

* Weekend Flash Sale: Viking Items! (54:30)

* Upcoming Events Calendar (55:27)

* New Novia Map for Release 45 (01:02:35)

* Giveaway: Grand Opening of Vyrin & Womby’s Bookwyrm Apartments (01:03:00)

* Resources: Players Helping Players (01:06:07)

* Recommended Project to Support: Unknown Realm (01:06:52)

Hello everyone, this is Asclepius, with another instalment of this wonderful story from Ulf Berht, entitled

“Virtue’s Forge”

Background music by Smartsound

Chapter 7, “Fire”

“Fire! Fire!”

When Merlin heard the shouting, he threw on his robe and boots and ran out into the pre-dawn twilight. Around the corner and up the street he could see the red and orange flames leaping high into the sky, showering sparks down upon the village. He ran to help and soon realized that Ulf’s forge was engulfed in flames. A bucket brigade had formed but clearly there was already no possibility of extinguishing the blaze. The fire fighters were now concentrating on putting out fires started by flying embers. Ulf was nowhere to be seen and no one could recall seeing him.

By noon, only smoking ruin was left. With no sign of Ulf, Merlin and others began poking through the blackened timbers. “Here! Over here! A body I think,” called out one of the searchers. “It must be the blacksmith.”

Merlin watched as guardsmen arrived and collected the body in a canvas sheet and took it to the mortuary. A few tattered scraps of cloth were stuck in the burnt and blackened flesh. There was nothing recognizable as Ulf’s, but the height and weight were a match. A sword lay by the body on the scorched floor. Other weapons and household item had also been scattered by the firefighting.

The Captain of the Guards approached Merlin.”You were acquainted with this man?” he asked.

“I am indeed. Ulf Berht is a particular friend of mine. I am not yet convinced that those remains are his.”

“Are you not, sir? Then whose might they be? I have not been informed of any other not being accounted for. Where were you prior to the blaze?”

“In my lodgings at the inn. I am sure the innkeeper can attest that I was there until wakened by the alarm. As to who this is, I have no idea.”

“I will, of course, verify your whereabouts with the innkeeper. I the meantime, I must ask you to remain in town.”

“Of course, Captain. May I search the site for things recoverable? I know much of what he owned.”

“You may, but one of my men will accompany you and catalogue what you find.”

“Good day to you then. We must be about our tasks,” said Merlin.

The Captain made no reply as he left to give some orders to his men. “Keep an eye on him,” Merlin overheard the officer say.

………..

The possibility that Ulf was gone increased with no sign yet of any resurrection. Merlin’s mood turned dark. “It is not my way to become attached to anyone,” he thought, as the warm water of the tub soothed his tired body. It had taken two tubs of water to be rid of the throat catching, nose stinging fumes of wet burned wood. Merlin’s searching had located Ulf’s tools, swords, and armor–all things a blacksmith would have taken with him had some business called him away. Most troubling was that the iron ingot containing the jewel could not be found.

Merlin’s dozing reverie was disturbed by a knock on his door. “More hot water sire. Can I bring it in?” a female voice asked.

“Certainly. But weren’t you just here?” The door opened and the maid stepped in with a large jug of steaming water.

“Not I sire. Mistress told me to bring more. Do you not want it?”

“Just pour it into the tub, girl, before it too gets cold.”

Merlin examined the girl as she emptied the jug. He noticed her attractiveness and was somewhat embarrassed by his nakedness. Darker skinned than any he had seen around Port Graff, small breasted,

Hi Everyone! Here is the news of the week! Hope you are enjoying Release 45!!

* Play Release 45 Now! (12:25)

* Making of The Crags (24:50)

* North Shattered Hills (28:28)

* R45 Postmortem Mini-Telethon – Sep. 6 (32:17)

* Portalarium is Hiring: Web Developer (39:17)

* Shroud at Dragon Con (41:50)

* Dragon Con 2017 Cosplay Contest (44:45)

* In The News: Conversations With Giants Ep. 39 – Richard Garriott (46:59)

* New Pet Dance Emotes! (49:58)

* R44 Raffle Winners (55:02)

* Upcoming Events Calendar (55:53)

* Livestream: South Broken Road (57:52)

* Events: Prism and Diamond Fields Presents… (01:00:03)

* Resources: Players Helping Players (01:07:01)

* Recommended Project to Support: Wasteland 3 (01:08:32)

Greetings Fellow Avatars! On my own again this week as Lord Baldrith is celebrating!

Here’s what we have for you in this week’s edition of Update of the Avatar:

* Game Development

* Making of Crooked Shank (cont.) 16:20

* New Norgard Garments (cont.) 18:38

* Magic Tricks!

* News Announcements 20:45

* R45 Postmortem Mini-Telethon – Sep. 6 22:55

* Portalarium is Hiring: Web Developer 27:50

* Free Trial Test #5 Ends on Aug. 30! 30:00

* QA Server Access Now Open to All Players 30:37

* Shroud at PAX Dev 36:08

* Shroud at Dragon Con 36:41

* Weekend Flash Sale: Elves 37:58

* Community Updates

* Upcoming Events Calendar 38:47

* Community Trailer Contest Winners Announced! 40:10

* Livestream: Exploring Longfall Woods 43:50

* Spotlight: Arx Draconis Player Town 45:00

* Event: August’s RPOTA Monthly Writing Contest 52:24

* Resources: Players Helping Players 54:04

* Recommended Project to Support: Denis Loubet Patreon 55:00

Hello everyone, this is Asclepius, with another wonderful story from Elgarion, entitled

A Humbling and Hasty Departure

This story continues the adventures of Elbyon, ranger of Kahli, and follows the story ‘Trapped Between Bone and a Hard Place’

Background music by Smartsound.

 

I awoke from nightmares, immediately fading from memory, my soul still quaking from their mind-spinning ways. However, not being a child, I did not dwell upon them, nor did I bore my hosts with their details, if even I could recount them. As intent as I was before this night’s rest, I resumed my ambitions to escape the predicament I currently faced; this trap I found myself entangled within, I would be free of it.

As such, I initiated my morning routine. To an onlooker, it might appear as if I, a seasoned ranger, had performed these tasks as a daily ritual for many years. Within a matter of minutes, my bedroll was stowed, my body nourished and relieved, my teeth cleaned, my sundries packed, and boots donned. I ignored the merchants rudely that morning, sadly. Something of which I was ashamed. Without glancing to them for as much as a smile, inwardly sneering at their cowardice, I gathered my bow and sword, and strode eastward. But with only ten paces between us, I stopped in my tracks. A small pang of guilt influenced better manners, thankfully, but would only partly diminish my later regret. Turning, I shed my hood to reveal my hardened features and a subtle smile. Bowing to the merchants, I stated, ‘My evening companions, you were most kind to share your fire. I thank you for your generosity. I pray the gods grant you the courage and the fortitude to leave this canyon. However, it may be best to meet a fate with sword in hand, rather than to cower in the shadows. But alas, I am only one man, whose opinion matters little. Fare thee well, traveling merchants.’ Oddly, they gave no reply. Two merely stared westward longingly, dreaming of re-entering the Hidden Vale, no doubt. The other, organized his measly wares as if expecting customers at any moment.

Then, a shiver overtook me like never before. My knees went weak and my balance was lost for a moment. Regaining my composure, I focused upon the cause. A stunning sight that I’d never laid eyes upon before left me completely in awe. An ebony black shard of Daedalus hovered above the campsite. Evidently, the dark monstrosity had floated above me all through the darkness of the night. Wicked chains of enchanted black Obsidian steel restrained the shard from setting adrift. As I gazed into its dull gloss, I could not see yet could sense my darker half glaring back, eyes bent with hate, a visage twisted with absolute anger. This stone meant me harm. Perhaps if I had stared upon it for too long, I would harm myself? Others undeservedly? I am uncertain.

One thing for certain, if I had not lost my balance and fallen to my bottom, dropping my bow, and scraping my wrist against an outcropping of rock, my true awareness of my surroundings might never have returned. Quickly standing again, quivering with uncontrollable fright, my bow now again in hand, I turned away with reckless abandon, the merchants and the wicked stone now thankfully behind me. I was completely unnerved, rattled to the bone. As my distance from that site lengthened, I again took notice of the forgotten and repulsive hum which had been present throughout the eve. A mind numbing buzzing, deep and eternally humbling. With each step away from the campsite, the shard, the sound lessened and my composure increasingly returned. Only then did my night terrors completely drift from memory.

Foul magics were at work, here. I shun them. I despise those who’d weave such spells. Those of the dark robes I suspect, and I pray they are not amidst the dangers ahead. That is not a rallying cry for my intent to destroy them. It is but a wish,

Hi Everyone! Here is the news of the week!

* Making of Crooked Shank (3:35)

* New Norgard Garments (cont.) (13:50)

* Middle Downs Sneak Peek Video (18:30)

* R44 Postmortem Missed Questions Answered (20:00)

* Portalarium is Hiring: Web Developer (27:44)

* Free Trial Test #5 (Aug 9-30) is Now Live! (31:41)

* gamescom devcom Panels Announced (33:44)

* Shroud at PAX Dev (37:08)

* Shroud at Dragon Con! (37:50)

* Weekend Flash Sale: Rent (39:16)

* Upcoming Events Calendar (42:17)

* Community Trailer Contest Ends Aug. 22! (43:05)

* Spotlight: Lake Cusabo Player Town (44:29)

* Events: BMC Crafting Fair and Kaz Phoenixfyre Welcome Home Roast (52:26)

* Resources: Players Helping Players (55:25)

* Recommended Project to Support: Underworld Ascendant (56:17)

Hi Everyone! Here is the news of the week!

* Making of Longfall Woods (14:10)

* Making of South Paladis Scenes: Middle Downs and South Broken Road (cont) (17:50)

* Post Episode 1 Content Plan – Initial Draft (24:50)

* R44 Postmortem Mini-Telethon Results (43:12)

* SeedInvest Campaign Success! (44:12)

* Status and Priority of Pledge Rewards & Kickstarter Stretch Goals (44:50)

* Update on Pre-Placed Keep & Castle Lot Walls (49:30)

* Portalarium is Hiring: Sound Designer (53:50)

* Free Trial Test #5 (Aug 9-30) is Now Live! (56:50)

* DragonCon Schedule: Yet Even More Panels Announced! (57:35)

* PAX Dev Schedule is Live! (1:00:00)

* Shroud In the News: Massively Overpowered Needs Advice (1:00:45)

* Weekend Flash Sale: SyndCon, Dragons, and Hot Tubs Oh My! (1:01:55)

* Upcoming Events Calendar (1:04:50)

* Community Trailer Ends Soon! Deadline Extended (1:06:50)

* Livestream: Etceter Revisited with Scottie (1:08:10)

* Event: Trials of the Avatar PVP Tournament (1:09:25)

* Resources: Players Helping Players (1:10:30)

* Recommended Project to Support: Crowfall (1:11:00)