January 2012

Legends "Gold Diggers" Claim Treasure Hunt Championship Submitted by UO_Herald on January 30, 2012 at 11:01 PM CST Originally posted 27 Jan 2012 12:25:33 EST by Kai Schober on the UO Herald: Written by EM Helios On Friday's eve January 20th, The Gold Diggers of Legends layed claim therein to the title and trophy of the cross shard treasure hunting championship; besting the Purple team and defending champions of Great Lakes. In a landslide victory the diggers won in grand fashion finishing well over ten minutes ahead of their rivals. With furious teamwork and precise tactics, the diggers took advantage of miscues and disconnects amongst their competitors en route to victory! Team Great Lakes ever gracious in defeat, resolved to finish their maps to the applause of all in attendance. Finishing the competition, the former champions congratulated those newly crowned, and wished them well in their first defense. Team Purple also requested the honor of a rematch if Legends is fortunate to hold onto the title for the forseeable future. All in all the night was a grand event to behold, win lose or draw everyone had a great time showed impeccable sportsmanship and represented their shard with great honor and humility. Both Legends and Great Lakes should be quite honored to call each team their respective representative! The Diggers of Legends enjoy the moment for now, for they know stiff opposition is forthcoming. They welcome any who wish to step forward and challenge their swiftness and cunning and look forward to the opportunity to showcase their skills, their team, and their home shard. [Discuss This Article]

Brialla’s Journey Submitted by Martyna_Zmuir on January 24, 2012 at 9:22 PM CST Brialla of the Seven Tears was the first to chart the mysterious north lands of Britannia. Brialla set out from Yew, in her humble brown monk’s robe and bare feet, to push back the dark corners of the map. Her journals are rich with illustrations and detailed descriptions of the terrain, its plants and animals, and the nomads she met along the way. She even found the mineral deposits in the mountains by what would become Minoc. Every year, on January 28th, the people of Britannia celebrate Brialla’s journey by donning monks’ robes and walking barefoot from Yew to Minoc. There, they toast to her memory in the tavern. All are encouraged to tell whatever legends they’ve heard of Brialla’s journey or to describe their own adventures. Meet Louisa Clark in front of Empath Abbey on Saturday, January 28th, at 8 p.m. CST. The road is likely to be unusually clear of monsters that evening, so you’ll have plenty of time to think up a good story for the tavern. The best tales will be added to the Award Hall. [Discuss This Article]

The Awakening - Act 1 Submitted by UO_Herald on January 20, 2012 at 2:38 PM CST Originally posted 20 Jan 2012 12:26:22 EST by Kai Schober on the UO Herald: Written by the EM Team Buzzards circled high in the sky above the inland roads that led away from the ferries of Skara Brae, their lazy paths taking them in loops above whatever carcass lay beneath. Artemia took notice of them as she crept silently through the forest, hot on the heels of the hart she’d spied an hour earlier. The old stag was a crafty one and had kept out of any clean shots so far, but she knew that ahead lay a clearing before the land gave way to the road. If she was going to get a clean shot, that would be her opening. With swift and sure motions she indulged herself in the hunt, and she broke into the clearing and sighted on the great stag for only a brief moment before a scowl rose to her face. It seemed that the object of the vulture’s attention was here. The stag made its way back into the brush as she stalked closer to the carcasses in the clearing, and began to check through them. To read the full story on the forums, click HERE.

Treasure Hunt - A New Challenge Submitted by UO_Herald on January 18, 2012 at 10:51 PM CST Originally posted 18 Jan 2012 11:54:33 EST by Kai Schober on the UO Herald: Attention to all beings across the Shards! The 5th match of the Cross Shard Treasure Hunting Competition is upon us! The year ended on an exciting note, as the Purple Llamas of the Great Lakes shard defeated the two-time champion Blue Beetles of Catskills. But while the new year brings a new champion, it also has seen it's first challenger – Legends! Please continue reading for their written challenge, as well as Champion's response. When: Friday, January 20th Time: 9pm EST, 8pm Central Location: Nujel'm Chessboard, Trammel Shard: Test Center Come cheer on your favorite team! Moongates will be provided from New Haven bank. [Discuss This Article]

Reminder: Housing Decay Reactivated Today Submitted by UO_Herald on January 17, 2012 at 7:34 PM CST Originally posted 17 Jan 2012 15:11:24 EST by Kai Schober on the UO Herald: We will turn on housing decay today. Please take the necessary steps to secure your house before its turned back on. Please note that even if your account has been inactive for more than 90 days, you still have 5 days after housing decay is back, before your house is gone. If want to log in but you haven't had the chance to link your account in the Account Center yet, please check the Account Center Management Page guide and the How to link my Accounts guide. You can always contact 'support@ultimaonline.com' if you encounter a problem. See you in-game! [Discuss This Article]

East-Central Ilshenar Cut Off, Blackthorn Castle Destroyed Submitted by Martyna_Zmuir on January 12, 2012 at 2:30 AM CST Traders returning from Ilshenar have been reporting that the area known as 'East-Central Ilshenar' is now inaccessible to foot traffic. This area contains the Ver Lor Reg gargoyle's Shrine of Singularity, the Savage Fort and the Juka-and-machine-controlled 'Castle Blackthorn.' The traders say that each of the three passages into this area has been subject to major rockslides. Central Ilshenar These claims were investigated late this afternoon and found them to be quite accurate. Travel from the Roma encampment just south of the Compassion Shrine was completely impassible as large boulders obscured the tunnel eastward. Several residents claimed to have heard rumbling earlier in the day, immediately prior to the rockslide, but were unsure of the cause. Backtracking to Compassion, the route to the West-Central Ilshenar through the mountains just north of the Honor Shrine remains open. Thus traffic to Ver Lor Reg is unimpeded. It was found that the northern ravine which leads to the eastern section was also blocked by rocks. The only way to surmount this obstacle is with a simple teleportation spell. At first glamce, there was nothing obviously amiss with the eastern section. Several savages patrolled a small camp just southeast of the ravine and the fountains at the Shrine of Singularity to the northeast glistened in the afternoon sun. However, to the south, the imposing form of the castle which had dominated the valley for decades was no more, only shattered chunks of dark stone remained where it once stood. Mechanical monstrosities roamed about the ruins with highly agitated-looking Juka, while ashen-faced controllers stood in a daze. As it is generally known, they are quite inhospitable to outsiders, therefore information was not forthcoming. Venturing to the southern end of the valley, it was noted that the Savage Fort seemed unaffected. However, none of the inhabitants known to be sympathetic towards Britannian citizens were found. Ergo, no information was available. The southern ravine between the eastern and western sections had suffered a rockslide, confirming the trader's reports of inaccessibility. Here again, a teleportation spell is a necessity. Considering the link between the ruined castle and Exodus, the "Sleeper," as it is called locally, needed further investigation. Its lair appeared intact and guarded by the usual contingent of evil minions. Deep within the structure, the great machine itself seemed eerily quiet but otherwise functional. As it had stirred towards the end of the war with Virtuebane, perhaps this old enemy was dismissed too quickly. Leaving Ilshenar, there were more questions than answers. What happened to the castle and why? What does it mean for the inhabitants of Ilshenar, or for Sosarians as a whole? Did Exodus awaken and lash out in anger over old failures, or is there a less apocalyptic answer? Only time and further investigation will tell. -Martyna Z'muir, Library of Sosaria [Discuss This Article]

The Awakening Submitted by UO_Herald on January 11, 2012 at 4:22 PM CST Originally posted 11 Jan 2012 13:03:41 EST by Kai Schober on the UO Herald: Written by the EM Team “Last time I do a favor for Rollins…” He looked at the note he’d been given from Rollins about taking a friend of his along with him. Victor glanced around his horses, and checked the fastenings on the saddles for the fourth time as the wind picked up. He looked at the skies as the heavens threatened to open up and deliver their own cargo upon the land, before exhaling heavily. Climbing back up into the bench on the front of the wagon he muttered, “I just hope whenever this Sherry gets here that she’s packed and ready to go.” “I’m right here and ready, sir.” “By the Virtues!” Victor exclaimed as his heart raced in his chest, looking down to where the voice had come from, and seeing only a tawny little mouse wearing a tiny grey shawl over her shoulders. He blinked a few times and rubbed his eyes, before realization hit him. “Y-you’re the Sherry! Sherry the mouse I mean!” To read the full story on the forums, click HERE.

Lifeboat Oars and Spy Ranks Submitted by Martyna_Zmuir on January 1, 2012 at 8:17 PM CST This Tuesday, January 3rd, there will be a ceremony to celebrate Royal Spy promotions. There will be a gate at the West Britain Counselor Hall to the location Queen Zhah has graciously provided for the ceremony. If you are unable to attend this event, you can inquire about your current Spy Rank at the end of any Spy or Guard event this month or, if necessary, by appointment. If you have “Oars from a Pirate Lifeboat” that you would like renamed, please bring them on Tuesday. [Discuss This Article]

Happy New Year! Submitted by Martyna_Zmuir on January 1, 2012 at 8:11 PM CST Another year draws to a close, my third as an Event Moderator and Elizabella’s second. We would like to thank all the players of Great Lakes for making it an amazing year. 2011 was a year of many stories: demon lords, dragon councils, and ancient secrets. The year began with the death of Dawn, Queen of Britannia, and ended with her cities torn by unrest. The Royal Spies and the Royal Guard saved the world from Virtuebane, a reborn Zog, and the horrors of the Pyramid. We saw the founding of the Village of Dawn, the rebuilding of Magincia, and the birth of a Crimson dragon. Happy New Year’s and keep your swords sharp for 2012! –Malachi [Discuss This Article]