From the Darkest Depths

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June 2006 - Announcements Page

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Summary of the events leading up to the release of Grael as told by Count Dardante.

Discoveries

Town Crier Rumors

Viamontian Town Criers

Town Crier tells you, "Those Bloodless in the Order of the Raven Hand seem to have split into different factions. It's no wonder the Bloodless lose every war, their leaders can't even keep them together when they are outside of conflict..."

Town Crier tells you, "I see nothing unusual about the sky. Stop fomenting social unrest!"

Town Crier tells you, "There have been rumors of the Whispering Blade and their frenzied search for clues about... Well, never mind."

Town Crier tells you, "Don't even ask me about those Silveran weapons. The saga of the distribution of these weapons has become farce."

Town Crier tells you, "The royal heralds were given a brief tour of the Rossu Morta Chapterhouse. Quite a great honor, and I am envious of those who have earned the right to base themselves there. But it felt like there was something missing..."

Town Crier tells you, "Even you, a Bloodless mongrel, may earn Count Dardante's esteem by helping the Rossu Morta conduct a certain sensitive investigation..."

Town Crier tells you, "It appears those Raven Hand released something old and hateful into the world. Do not worry, King Varicci is well prepared to fight the spawn of Shadow."

Town Crier tells you, "Are you a loyal subject of the King? If so, you should see what you can do to assist the Rossu Morta in its investigations."

Town Crier tells you, "Are you one of those elite enough to have earned admission to the Rossu Morta Chapterhouse? A loyal subject of King Varicci might want to think about ways in which the Rossu Morta chapterhouse could be improved..."

Town Crier tells you, "There have been reports of one of these Raven Hand cultists, one who follows a "Shadow" called Isin Dule. He's been spotted on the north of Dereth, wandering from place to place. He seems to be looking for something. Any information on this individual would be appreciated."

Town Crier tells you, "I cannot help but laugh at the Whispering Blade's desperate attempts to catch up with what has been going on. Suffice it to say that those ignorant running dogs of the Bloodless queen are a day late and a pyreal short, again."

Town Crier tells you, "His Majesty is quite wroth over the distribution of these Silveran weapons, which are even more powerful and more highly treasured than the Royal Runed weapons. He has had four different Royal Quartermasters tortured over it."

Town Crier tells you, "No, I do not see anything strange in the sky. It looks like a fluffy domesticated animal of some kind, I'm sure."

Town Crier tells you, "The Rossu Morta seeks help in the investigation of the fate of some of Count Dardante's most highly placed lieutenants. If you are a loyal subject of King Varicci and a member in good standing of the Rossu Morta, it is your duty to report to the Chapterhouse and assist them."

Town Crier tells you, "We can handle this minor Shadow infestation. This is another chance for our people to prove their glory in battle!"

Town Crier tells you, "It seems unlikely to me, but if you are one of the Bloodless who has proven himself to be a trustworthy member of the Rossu Morta, you should go to the Chapterhouse and offer your assistance in this matter of Count Dardante's assistants."

Mainland Town Criers

Town Crier tells you, "Look! In the sky! Didn't you see it?"

Town Crier tells you, "I'm not going to stay out here if things get any worse."

Town Crier tells you, "I hear Shadows have been seen around the outskirts of certain towns..."

Town Crier tells you, "Silveran weapons now? Very fancy-looking, aren't they?"

Town Crier tells you, "I've heard that this mysterious and terrible thing named Grael has been released, but there have been conflicting reports about what, exactly, Grael is."

Town Crier tells you, "I like what I've heard about those Chapterhouses, but I don't know... Doesn't it seem like there's something missing?"

Town Crier tells you, "There have been rumors of a faction of the Raven Hand who have joined with Isin Dule. What's next, an entire kingdom of Shadows?"

Town Crier tells you, "I hear tell there was some kind of collusion going on between Count Dardante and the Raven Hand... I wonder how that worked out for them?"

Town Crier tells you, "I've heard rumors about a Raven Hand cultist in black and red, calling himself the Emissary of Isin Dule, moving along the north coast of Dereth, looking for something. What're those Shadow cultists up to now?"

Town Crier tells you, "I've heard tell that something went terribly wrong for Count Dardante with this whole Grael thing. Rumor has it that the Rossu Morta is investigating."

Town Crier tells you, "I haven't been able to go out and go adventuring to earn myself entry into a Chapterhouse, but I can already think of ways I'd want to improve that kind of facility..."

Town Crier tells you, "Travelers passing near Arwic have reported hearing whispers in the air near the hole where the Shadow Spire augured into the ground."

Town Crier tells you, "I knew that those Royal Runed weapons were powerful, but I have heard tell of even more powerful weapons, crafted in the unique Silveran style and bearing a red sigil..."

Town Crier tells you, "What's wrong with the sun? The last time something like this happened, Bael'Zharon began to stomp all over the world! I remember it! I was there when he rained rocks on Stonehold!"

Town Crier tells you, "I've got it on good authority that the Whispering Blade is trying to track down Grael, and is feverishly gathering evidence on what in the Abyss he truly is. All Whispering Blade operatives have been summoned to the Chapterhouse to this end."

Ulgrim Rumors

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "What's translucent and dark and shadowy all over?"

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Awww! Everyone seems to get that one! I'll have to think of something harder..."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "All right, what blinks red and green and gold and is shadowy all over?"

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "A Shadow with some Holiday Lights!"

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Count Dardante? Oh brother. Don't get me started. You know, we used to be in the theatre department together in our days in the academy. He always wanted to play the role of the mustache-twirling villain, like King Arpad in "The Trials of the Poet.""

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I've got me a Red Sigil Silveran Mug right here. You can't see the sigil because it's at the bottom of the mug. Yeah, every time I drain the mug and look into its bottom, I see the bright light of its enchantment..."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "You know, I would lay even money that Count Dardante is actually working for... Them. You know who the Them are, don't you? Well if you don't, I'm not going to tell you!"

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Dark! Darkness envelops us all! We are doomed! Doooooomed! Run for the vaults! Save the children! Save the stout! He comes and all is lost before him."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "That's what I would sound like if I weren't so deeply reassured by Elysa's ability to handle the Shadows."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "They've raised another island? Hogwash. My spy network of mermen would have told me about it by now. Besides, that island wasn't supposed to be raised until I'd cleared all my treasure chests off of it."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Boy, if it gets any crazier around here, I might just have to pack up and move back to Ispar. No, don't bother to ask if you can come with me. My magic carpet is only big enough for me and my keg of stout."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Oh yes, there's something new in the sky, and it's not a Gromnatross. Well, maybe it is, but if it is, it's the ugliest Gromnatross I've ever seen."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "On second thought, maybe I don't want Dardante and the Shadows and the Raven Hand and Varicci to go to the Deep. That's where I keep all my stuff, after all..."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I have to catch up on the rest of the year's drinking in case I get captured by Shadows and forced to become a raging beast."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Stupid Raven Hand! Stupid Dardante! Stupid Shadows! Stupid Varicci!"

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I warned them! I told them! But do they listen?"

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Nooo, don't listen to old Ulgrim, he's a crazy drunk, he's not right in the head!"

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Well, they can all go to the Deep for all I care!"

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "They say that Grael has three aspects: ale, lager, and stout. No, wait, that's not right..."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Yeah, I visited the Rossu Morta Chapterhouse. Nice enough, but it smells of cheese. And they've got a portrait of that big-nosed King of theirs hanging up. It should be a portrait of me!"

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I've seen people carrying those fancy new Silveran weapons around. They don't look like very practical weapons, do they? Look like the kind of thing that one of those hoity-toity Virindi like Claude or Leopold would dream up."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I've got me a Red Sigil Silveran Mug right here. You can't see the sigil because it's at the bottom of the mug. Yeah, every time I drain the mug and look into its bottom, I see the bright light of its enchantment..."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I stepped on a spider today. I used to let spiders go, because hey, they kill insects, right? But you just can't take your chances these days."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "People keep asking me where Asheron has gone. As if I'd know. I'm just an old man who drinks too much and fabricates wild stories to make myself seem important. No, wait, Asheron's the one who does that..."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Yeah, I visited the Whispering Blade Chapterhouse. It's nice enough, but kind of boring. It could really use an open bar."

New Quests

Live Events

2006/06 - Grael's Forces Attack

Grael's forces descend upon Arwic!

2006/06 - Rossu Morta vs Whispering Blade

2006/06 - Soul Crystal of the Dark Isle

A chill wind blows across Dereth, carrying with it an equally chill voice. The following words echo in the wind, "People of Dereth, I know that we have not always been allies, but now is not a time for us to be enemies. I have sent my Emissary to the place you call 'Bandit Castle'. There, those who are strong enough may find a path to aid in the battle against the Black Spear, the one called Grael. Seek my Emissary and begin the path of retaliation against one who would destroy all of us."

Updated Quests

Aug Gem: Sir Bellas - Quest timer lowered from 30 days to 27 days.

New NPCs

New Locations

Altar Nest - 75.9 N, 69.4 E
Black Spear Summoning Chamber - 75.8N, 70.5E
White Spear's Cave - 93.8 N, 40.1 W
Shadow Breach
Shadow Portal - 72N, 61.9W
Temple of N'Cthail - 70.4N, 50.5E
Eastern Temple Catacombs
Western Temple Catacombs
Northern Temple Catacombs
Vault of Eternal Slumber

Updated Locations

Rossu Morta Chapterhouse - updated with Eye of Darkness
Whispering Blade Chapterhouse - updated with Eye of Darkness

New Items

2006/06 - Grael's Forces Attack (Live Events)
	Piece of Torn Letter	Partially Repaired Letter	A Letter (Makkar)	Translation of the Torn Letter
	Makkar's Eye	Makkar's Claw	Shadow Mote	Partial Shadow Shard
	Shadow Shard	Piece of a Device	Section of a Strange Device	Incomplete Device
	Inactive Device	Head of a Barbaric Panumbral Mukkir

2006/06 - Rossu Morta vs Whispering Blade (Live Event)
		Eye of Darkness		Encased Crystalline Sliver		Crystalline Sliver		Crystal of Life Protections

2006/06 - Soul Crystal of the Dark Isle (Live Event)
		Empowered Helm of Isin Dule

Shadow Breach Quest
		Amulet of Dark Rage		Grael's Claw

Grael's Summoning Chamber
	First Keeper's Key	Second Keeper's Key	Aigonne's Key	Heart of Archmage Aigonne
	Archmage Aigonne's Notes	Journal of Maegris	Head of Pontifex Maegris	Rossu Morta Chapterhouse Recall Orb

Raising Grael's Island
	Eastern Vault Key	Eastern Temple Tablet	Western Vault Key	Western Temple Tablet
	Crystal Shard (Item)	Helm of Isin Dule

Tracking Grael
		Head of the White Spear		Head of the Mukkir Scion		Whispering Blade Chapterhouse Recall Orb

Red Runed Weapons
	Silveran Atlatl Token	Silveran Axe Token	Silveran Bow Token	Silveran Claw Token
	Silveran Crossbow Token	Silveran Dagger Token	Silveran Mace Token	Silveran Spear Token
	Silveran Staff Token	Silveran Sword Token	Silveran Wand Token	Red Rune Silveran Atlatl
	Red Rune Silveran Axe	Red Rune Silveran Bow	Red Rune Silveran Claw	Red Rune Silveran Crossbow
	Red Rune Silveran Dagger	Red Rune Silveran Mace	Red Rune Silveran Spear	Red Rune Silveran Staff
	Red Rune Silveran Sword	Red Rune Slashing Silveran Wand