107 - Gaiscioch Magazine

Gaiscioch Magazine Issue 2, 2014
G
reetings and welcome to the second
edition of the Gaiscioch Magazine.
For our second issue we decided to cover
the founding of the family.
Benjamin Foley
Founder & Managing Editor
Gaiscioch Magazine
foghladha@gaiscioch.com
Managing Editor & Layout
In addition, we have interviewed three
of the forefathers of our MMO journey:
Editors / Columnists:
Scott Hartsman: CEO, Trion Worlds,
creator of RIFT
Colin Johanson: Game Director,
ArenaNet, creator of Guild Wars 2
These three men have been involved in
massively multiplayer online gaming
since its birth. We sat down for one-onone interviews to get their perspectives
on how this whole thing came together.
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iTunes Podcast:
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2
Gaiscioch Magazine is a quarterly, volunteer
driven, no-profit, digital magazine for
game developers and enthusiasts alike.
Within these pages you will find a
complete history of the Gaiscioch
family as well as the original backstory
established in Dark Age of Camelot.
Matt Firor: President, ZeniMax Online
Studios, Elder Scrolls Online, founding
employee of Mythic Entertainment, and
creator of Dark Age of Camelot
Learn more about the
Gaiscioch Family at:
http://www.gaiscioch.com/
Gaiscioch Magazine Staff
Benjamin “Foghladha” Foley
<foghladha@gaiscioch.com>
Althea “Briseadh” Damgaard
<briseadh@gaiscioch.com>
Beth “Jae Onasi” Carlock
<jaeonasi@gaiscioch.com>
Christine “Seacoral” Metz
<seacoral@gaiscioch.com>
Esther “HumbleMisty” Foley
<humblemisty@gaiscioch.com>
Herb “OldGoat” Townsend
<oldgoat@gaiscioch.com>
Jessica “Kyla Rose” Hunt
<jessica@gaiscioch.com>
Michael “Balry” Perez
<balry@gaiscioch.com>
Timothy “MrFallenAngel” Beerman
<mrfallenangel@gaiscioch.com>
Wally “Pops” Anderson
<pops@gaiscioch.com>
Also, we have some exciting features on
Guild Wars 2 and Elder Scrolls Online,
as well as some previews of upcoming
games and reviews of newly released
titles. We wanted to give you a glimpse
into the life of a game developer and
show you a bit behind the curtain of
some games.
Contributing Writers:
I thank you for taking the time to
read this magazine, and I hope you
enjoy what you see. If you have any
comments or questions or would like to
publish something, please contact us at:
magazine@gaiscioch.com.
Artists:
Slan Go Foill!
Donald “Donaliam” Rush
<donaliam@gaiscioch.com>
Lisa “Prissy” Grant
<prissy@gaiscioch.com>
Crystal “Kamia” Gates
<kamia@gaiscioch.com>
Denton “Neoyoshi”
<neoyoshi@gaiscioch.com>
Sarlyn “Redvy”
<redvy@gaiscioch.com>
Join the Gaiscioch Magazine
volunteer team by visiting:
http://Gaiscioch.com/magazine
Send guest articles, art, requests,
comments and feedback to:
magazine@gaiscioch.com
3
About the Gaiscioch Family
T
he Gaiscíoch (pronounced Gosh-Kia)
began on November 11th 2001 in the
industry pioneering MMORPG “Dark Age
of Camelot”. They began on the Nimue roleplaying
server with a focus on creating a fun and enjoyable
community for players of all ages and skill levels.
their members to play how they want, when they
want, as long as they want and do not constrict
them with quotas or requirements.
The overall focus of the Gaiscioch is to support the
server communities and real world communities
they are part of. They accomplish this by hosting
public community events, participating and
hosting community forums, interacting with game
developers, and providing new players information
through our in-game advisers and out-of-game
guides, maps, and videos.
The Gaiscíoch takes it’s name from an Irish legend
found within the “Lebor Gabála Érenn” and “Cath
Maige Tuired” which chronicle the first people
of Ireland, the Tuatha de Danann. Specifically
the First Battle of Moyturna where the Tuatha
de Danann hand picked the most honorable and
loyal warriors to fight alongside the Celtic Gods in With a strong focus on community our endgame
a battle against the Fir Bolg. These warriors were goal is to create memories, friendships, and
known as the Gaiscíoch.
participate in the overall success of the community.
It is through gaming, athletic competition, and
The Gaiscioch are a social gaming community with social interaction that we forge new friendships
a relaxed approach toward gaming. They allow and relationships.
4
5
From Camelot to Tamriel: The Gaiscioch Story
by: Benjamin Foley
L
ooking back on times
past is always a fun
endeavor.
Recalling
the memories of epic adventures
and friendships made is the easy
part. But with these recollections
comes the memories of hardship,
obstacles, and how we evolved to
overcome them.
of how the Gaiscioch began we
have to travel back before the
days of Camelot.
In the days prior to my
journey into Camelot, I despised
massively multiplayer video
games. I was a site lead for
a company called Harding
Marketing who oversaw the
With every story there is a production of Hewlett-Packard,
beginning, a great strife, and an Oracle, Siebel, SONY, and EO
ending. With a lifetime, it’s not Products websites. I was in
about how it began, or how it charge of staffing my team with
ends, but the journey in between the top talent in the industry.
that shapes our legacy.
By the time that Ultima Online
The Gaiscioch Family was and Everquest made their
born in Dark Age of Camelot on appearance finding talent that
the Nimue server, with a simple wasn’t affected by these games
notion of creating an friendly was rather difficult. I had 6 web
environment for all levels of developers leave the company to
roleplayers to enjoy while play Everquest full time. They
sharing the stories and legends told me they were making over
6,000 dollars a month selling
of the Irish people.
virtual items in these games.
But this story did not begin Playing games, earning more
there. For us to know the tale than you could in the silicon
6
valley? This baffled me. I swore
I would never touch one of them
in fear that they would consume
my life and I would lose all
common sense.
My free time was devoted to
building map campaigns for the
Marathon Trilogy and later a 6
part story told in the PC action
RPG Vampire The Masquerade:
Redemption. My story was
called Death in Prague and ran
for a little over a year.
Over the course of that time,
more than 600 people went
through this 6 part adventure and
I got my first taste of community.
Death in Prague was featured
and sponsored by the GameSpy
network, which then gave me
an exclusive opportunity to test
upcoming games while in alpha
or closed beta stages. My passion
for storytelling was piqued and
I fell in love with sharing my
stories with others.
The Birth of the
Family
An alpha invite arrived in my
inbox from an upcoming game
created by Mark Jacobs, Matt
Firor, and Rob Denton called
Dark Age of Camelot. With my
Irish upbringing, I saw this as
a chance to share the stories I
grew up with, to an audience of
a much grander scale. I spent
nearly a year testing Dark Age
of Camelot and losing myself in
the wilderness and theme of this
game.
When it launched, I decided
to join a guild by the name
of Silverfist Brigade, where I
enjoyed my time of roleplaying
and adventuring. But the idea of
running a guild of my own with
an overlaying story was calling. I
broke off of Silverfist Brigade and
rallied a few people in Tir na nOg
to help me form the Gaiscioch
na Anu, the first chapter of the
family. Upon asking passer bys if
they would help me form a guild,
three Silverfist Brigade members
volunteered and four local
volunteers agreed to assist. In
the end Bondon, Caelliu, Breel,
and I were the only of the eight,
that remained after it’s creation.
real life needed me more than the
game. It took all of 3 months for
them to run Gaiscioch straight
into the ground. Gaiscioch
would go from 500+ members
to under 50 members. Over the
next two years in my absence it
would dwindle to non-existent
say for one. Aldenn held onto
the guild awaiting my return
for 5 additional years. When I
came back to revisit the game,
he kindly passed leadership back
to me and said, “I couldn’t let
The family grew, the events the family end up in the wrong
expanded, and for four years the hands so I kept it in case you ever
Gaiscioch na Anu were a major came back.” Even though I’ve
part of the Nimue community.
never seen Aldenn again, he was
a phenomenal person who I will
always have fond memories of
The Fall
With all legends there comes a and that completely selfless act
time of strife. Real life struck in a spoke volumes of his character.
big way and with it took down the
Gaiscioch family hard. I suffered
The Dark Ages of
two layoffs on the same day,
Gaiscioch
two consecutive years in a row.
The whole experience was a
Being life in the Silicon Valley wakeup call to me on so many
requires people to have more fronts. While the gory details
than 1 job, I was not eligible to I will not share in this story, I
receive unemployment as I also can tell you that in my life there
had two part time jobs. This led has never been more strife than
to a mountain of debt, marital in the Dark Ages of Gaiscioch
problems, and the whole time from 2004-2006. My entire life
I just wanted to provide for my was flipped upside down and
little girl. I had to step away to completely wiped to the point
try to prevent the collapse of my I had to start completely from
family.
scratch.
players of all ages and skill levels
could enjoy. Within our first year
we were 250 strong. We began
leading larger events, including
the once a month dragon hunt,
where for the better part of 3
years we assaulted Cuuldurach
the Glimmer King and finally
defeated him after our second
straight year of trying. We also
hosted Siege Night, an all out
Realm vs Realm (RvR) fest for
all on Nimue who cared to enjoy.
To try to prevent the collapse
of Gaiscioch I entrusted our
family to a council which would
vote on decisions in my absence.
The council was made up of my
Wife at the time, my best friend,
and three other active members.
A lovers quarrel within this
It did not take long to grow. We council would result in the
held public events for everyone council deciding to go a different
and people began flocking to direction with Gaiscioch. At
the family. Our original design this point, it was incredibly
was to create an immersive uncomfortable for me to make an
roleplaying environment that appearance at all and I decided
Foreclosure, divorce, nearly
homeless, my daughter taken
and moved a thousand miles
away, my cat slaughtered by
neighborhood dogs, on the verge
of bankruptcy, these years had it
all. I saw the darkness that life
had to offer.
I lost everything. I lost
my family, I lost my home, I
lost Gaiscioch. As you could
imagine I fell into a pretty deep
depression and looked for a way
7
to come back.
That’s when I found Juliana.
I met her while going through
my divorce as she too was going
through a divorce. We both
were transplanted to Eugene,
Oregon by our ex’s and then
left there alone and without a
friend network. We found each
other while trying to find anyone
to share our burdens with. We
never expected the result.
It didn’t take long but shortly
after meeting Juliana we
discovered that we amplify each
other. She made me better, I
made her better. Instead of life
fighting against us, it began to
fight for us. She encouraged me
to chase my dreams, no matter
where they take me and do what
I do best.
Over those 2 years I would go
from having nothing, to having a
home, and having my ambition
back. That didn’t solve all the
problems, but it sure helped
getting me focused on the
comeback.
The Rebirth
It was late in 2006 that Caelliu,
Breel, Don, and my friend at the
time, Juliana, pulled me out
of the darkest depression and
put me back on my horse and
encouraged me to chase my
passion. My world was reborn
and I had to adapt to a new way
of living. Caelliu introduced
me to Warhammer Online and
asked if I would like to join
him in recreating the Gaiscioch
in a new image. One that was
8
“It’s only in your darkest moments, that
you have the most potential to shine.”
- Benjamin Foley, 2006
We requested that controversial
topics stay in the real world
and not bleed over into our
family so that we could prevent
heated arguments. Our goal
We knew where we went wrong was to create a family friendly
the first time. The “Council” and environment for all to enjoy
the democratic way tore the regardless of their playtime or
guild apart with arguments and availability.
debates that turned into feuds.
I would not let that happen
Something Remarkable
again, so we took on the new
Happened
approach. Gaiscioch would be a
We
began
with 5 people, a
sole proprietorship and I would
form a group of elders to help simple concept, and created the
ease the burden. I would become “Family”. We re-deployed our
the voice, the choice, and the website which had been mostly
only person who blame could rebuilt from scratch. Still today,
be passed upon. This prevented you will find the doors at the
people from drawing lines in the bottom of the site which were
sand which turn to fractures, part of the original design as
well as the wood texture you
and turn to divides.
find throughout. Remnants of an
By being the sole source of empire passed.
blame we have existed for over
Over the first few months
a decade without collapse. While
we
began leading events with
democracy can work in real life, it
just
me and Caelliu at the helm
can also divide your community,
and people of late get quite grabbing every random person
offended quickly, which turns that wanted to play and putting
those divides into feuds and them into 2 warbands. Within
wars. This is the one thing we a month we were 250 strong,
would not stand for. We created within 3 months we had to create
the rule “Blades out, Not in” to a second guild to house everyone.
prevent any sort of infighting. Our events grew in scale, our fun
welcoming to all types of players,
and focused on making lasting
memories and friendships but
not at the cost of real life.
times amplified, and we began to public community event series
gain server wide attention on the with a set schedule, set leaders,
and a start and end date. It
battlefield.
even had a website devoted to
the contest. This brought the
attention of players, journalists,
and even developers. For the
first time we began working
on our public image and began
The Re-Birth of Public
networking with developers and
Community Events
journalists.
We launched the Open PuG
Nights as a fun and friendly event
The Decline of
for both sides of Phoenix Throne
Warhammer Online
to enjoy. We had a schedule
Our numbers grew and by the
of battles and both sides came
to the fight. The events would time that Mythic Entertainment
top 600 people in attendance would start the decline we
at times. But alas population maxed our 3 guilds and were
in Warhammer Online began sitting at 90% full on the 4th.
to decline and server closures Unfortunately, a series of patches
began to happen regularly. would hit sending activity
Phoenix Throne stood as the last into the ground. Players were
Roleplay server and would do so leaving in droves and we saw a
sharp decline. We put together
for about 6 months.
teams to scout out new titles for
Unfortunately by the end potential homes.
November
2009,
Phoenix
I spearheaded the team looking
Throne would be on the list of
closures. The Gaiscioch Family at RIFT and Roger “Oldroar”
moved to Badlands where Order Rall looked into Guild Wars
stood the underdog and was 2. Both had promise of siege
commonly outmatched. During warfare and epic adventures.
our very first event we pushed Both were scheduled to release
all the way to their city and gave in the next year. Trion Worlds
destruction a real run for their contacted us and flew me out
to their studio for a week to
money.
get a first hand look at RIFT.
We rebranded Open PuG Immediately following they
Nights as Battle for Badlands brought a significant number of
and started our very first major
our members into their alpha
program. Unfortunately Guild
Wars 2 would be pushed back,
but Oldroar continued to follow
the progress for us over the next
couple years.
In August of 2010 our
Warhammer chapter celebrated
1,106 victories during 79 events.
By the time 1.3.6 launched in
December of 2010 activity had
dropped to 85 victories in 20
events. There was no way of
hiding the truth that we needed
a new home quickly or we would
suffer another collapse.
A Refuge Established
in RIFT
While our testing days ended
in RIFT and the live game was
launched several key factors
were taken out of the game. All
of the siege mechanic was taken
from the game and promised in a
future patch to be reintroduced.
We launched into RIFT full
steam anyways and tried to
create our own siege battles.
We created the Telara Saga, a
22 week trek across Telara with 1
goal. The Siege of Meridian. The
first few weeks were filled with
massive consensual PvP warfare
in various zones. Hundreds
joined us for this epic mix of PvE
and PvP.
It all lead to a climax at the
gates of Meridian where over
800 people were in attendance
for one final battle. As the
Guardian forces rushed the gates
the entire battle group totaling 8
9
and running dungeons together.
We went from 750 members at
launch, to well over 2,500 in just
over a year. This growth brought
the necessity for structure and
revealed the need for managed
growth and absolute control
We recollected and made over our reputation.
another push killing several key
We expanded our eldership,
NPC’s standing outside the gates
of Meridian. The battle raged refined our systems, and
for more than 2 hours until it’s mastered our processes. In
climax where a plot was revealed just a few short months we
in story, to pit the Guardians quadrupled in size. Feats, others
and Defiants against each other deemed impossible, we made
to make them weak to an attack possible. We showed our server
Faeblight that you don’t have to
from Dragon Cults.
be hard core to overcome epic
Season 2 launches as a encounters. We became the
cooperative adventure for both server first to clear several of the
Guardians and Defiants to enjoy.
The event series was praised by
fans and the media and even
earned the attention of Trions
developers who Tweeted and
Facebooked about the adventure.
servers went offline. When we
managed to log back into game
we stood in Meridian without
groups formed and hundreds of
angry Defiant players and NPCs
surrounding us on all fronts.
The Birth of our PvE
Family
Our numbers boomed in
RIFT and with it came a new
side of the family who enjoyed
other styles of play from our
traditional siege warfare focus.
We experienced raiding for the
first time since Camelot and
spent time crafting, socializing,
10
major raids. We sieged Meridian
and killed all of the Defiant
Leaders which others said was
impossible. We became a beacon
for the possible impossible.
In addition, the Gaiscioch
coined the term “Crifting”
organizing large scale server
wide crafting rift events several
times a week. These events were
friendly and casual and brought
our server together.
While the PvE side of the
family boomed, the RvR hungry
grew discouraged as no sign of
the siege warfare between the
Guardians and Defiants was to
be seen. We now found ourselves
RIFT while placing over 500
displaced members into the
Alpha Test for Guild Wars 2.
Our numbers flourished and
continued to grow. In July of
2012 we began a letter writing
campaign to try to get an in game
memorial for Roger “Oldroar”
Rall.
with two halves of a family and
no common ground to stand on.
Tragedy Strikes Close
To Home
We were on top of the world
in 2011, seeing numbers higher
than they’ve ever been, getting
involved with development
communities on a much more
intimate basis. But our Siege
War community was still
without home. Roger “Oldroar”
Rall continued reporting to the
elder council about the progress
of Guild Wars 2 and encouraged
me to approach ArenaNet about
lending a hand in their testing
title.
I made arrangements to meet
them at PAX Prime in August of
2011. At PAX, I met with Martin
Kerstein and discussed what
Gaiscioch had to offer. It was a
good meeting and Martin said
he would be in touch shortly. I
excitingly shared the news with
Oldroar and the Gaiscioch, about
what I saw at the conference.
to be seen for days on end. After
a week of him being missing we
decided to give him a call. Much
to our surprise his daughter
answered the phone and shared
with us the news of his passing.
This news hit our community
hard, very hard. Many of us felt
a profound sense of loss. Roger
had been an inspiration to the
family for years. He was a solid
voice of reason that kept us on
track and focused. His humor
and kindness radiated to all of
us. Just by being in the room he
could change bad days, to good
ones, take stress, and turn it into
laughter. I have tried for years to
describe the way Roger made us
feel but there no words that can
describe it. He was one of those
people that brightened people’s
lives just by being there.
The Fall of RIFT
By the time fall season arrived,
tides started to shift. We had seen
it once before. In Warhammer
Online the developers made the
same mistake as the developers
of Star Wars Galaxies with the
NGE update. Wide sweeping
changes that require players
to throw away years worth of
experience to relearn the game.
In August of 2012 the
Gaiscioch Family celebrated
5,895 victories during 850
events, a record among our
family history. This would all
change drastically with the
release of RIFT 1.11 on October
17th, 2012. The patch required
every player to completely
relearn their class. Activity
dropped in October to 3,583
victories during 654 events, a
40% decline in 2 months.
Then in November they
released the Storm Legion
expansion, which again caused
players to relearn their class,
A few days after his passing removed PvP conquest from
ArenaNet would contact me anyone who was not rank 60 and
about bringing Gaiscioch into placed an obscene experience
their Alpha Team. Roger passed grind between players and the
before he could ever lay hands way they liked to play.
on the game he praised and
By December of 2012, the
loved for the last few years of
All seemed hopeful, and the
his life. His quest to play Guild Gaiscioch Family was down to
Siege Warfare side of the family
Wars 2 began before we ever left 873 victories in 146 events, a
looked to finally have a home
Warhammer Online and was 86% decline in 4 months. Shortly
approaching. But on September
after the release of Storm Legion,
finally coming to fruition.
27th, 2011 tragedy struck in a
Scott Hartsman would depart
big way. Oldroar was nowhere
We continued our course in
11
and most of the RIFT staff would
be laid off.
The Rise of Rall
Just weeks before the launch of
Guild Wars 2, ArenaNet notified
me that they were going to pay
tribute to Roger’s memory in the
form of a server called “Sanctum
of Rall”. The word of this spread
through the media and gaming
communities. Players from
far and wide flocked to the
community to be a part of it’s
legacy.
It was here that we realized
that it’s not the start, or end of
a persons life that determines
their legacy, it’s what they do
12
with the time in between.
By the time Gaiscioch launched
into Guild Wars 2 we had more
than 2,000 unique players
slamming into the 5 Guilds we
created within. The launch was
probably one of the most chaotic
we had ever seen. Our elders
spent days just sending invites
to players. On top of that, several
bugs made themselves painfully
known making several of our
rooms completely useless.
The siege war drew hundreds
of our members back to the fold,
however queues and the lack of
an alliance system sent many
of them searching once again.
We maintained a foot in both
RIFT and Guild Wars 2 through
March of 2013 where we finally
decided to pull the plug on RIFT
and focus our attention solely on
Guild Wars 2.
Life in Guild Wars 2 was
ideal for the siege warfare lover
and the casual gamer. Crafting
was also wildly popular and
players found much enjoyment
in hunting the epic creatures
throughout the land.
The Creation of the
Great Tyrian Adventure
On of our greatest challenges
was creating a public community
event in Guild Wars 2. We
originally wanted to host it in the
World vs World area but queue’s
and player necessity was not in
line with flooding the World vs
World lakes with hundreds of
people. We decided to create a
public community event focused
on traveling through all of the
zones in Tyria. We gave it a dry
run in the first few months to
identify any pitfalls we might find
along the way and began building
a plan for the first season of the
Great Tyrian Adventure.
The first season of the
Great Tyrian Adventure took
participants across all of the
zones in the game getting the
waypoints, point of interests
and skill points found across the
land. In the 26-week adventure,
500 people joined us of which
203 won prizes.
The second season we
shortened to 14-weeks and had
312 people join us. We changed
the format to focus on the guild
missions system by creating SOR
Community Events [SORC], a
temporary guild for use for the
events to allow everyone on the
server to get credit for this event.
In this 14 week trial run we
noticed something remarkable.
Where Season 1 followed the
same fate of Telara Saga by having
consistently smaller numbers
each week, the Season 2 of Great
Tyrian Adventure, increased
in numbers every week. In the
start we had between 60 and 70
people, by the last event over
100 people were joining us every
week.
This laid the foundation for
our most ambitious Public
Community Event to date. The
third season dubbed “Legendary
Edition” was drafted as a 12
week, 4 events per week, event
that had a massive raffle pot at
the end of each chapter and at
the end of the event.
The Gaiscioch Family pulled
together and put all of our efforts
to work in gathering materials,
running dungeons, and creating
7 Legendary Weapons including
the mother of all legendaries
herself Eternity. In addition
we made 14 Mystic Forged
Weapons, and countless exotic
items. We decided to go all out
for this event and raised/created
over 30,000 gold in prizes.
Season three took off like a
wild fire. Numbers consistently
topped 300 weekly. We split the
event up into 4 different runs
per week at various timeframes
to allow everyone to participate.
In all 793 people attended this 12
week series making it the most
successful event to date.
Finding a Home For
Displaced Gaiscioch
Guild Wars 2 has been a
wonderful home for some, but
for the majority of the family
who enjoyed Raiding and large
scale Siege Warfare, Guild Wars
2 didn’t meet it’s mark. With the
limitations put in Guild Wars 2,
for how many people can be in
WvW at the same time; the lack
of raiding; and the general lack
of challenge, a new home for the
majority was clearly voiced.
The eldership team put
together a list of over 200
things that help make running
Gaiscioch a lot easier and
keeps it healthy. This allowed
us to create a scoring system
to measure potential games
against one another. Items were
broken into 5 categories Critical,
Important, Needed, Useful, and
Added Bonus with each one
awarding a different point value.
Scrolls Online. However early
in the game Archeage would
publish
information
about
it’s guild system limiting it to
250 characters per guild. This
killed any hope of us going into
Archeage. Other contenders
included Camelot Unchained,
Pathfinder Online, Everquest
Next, Lineage Eternal, Final
Fantasy XIV, Bless, Gloria Vicits
and Neverwinter.
None stood as tall and proud
as Elder Scrolls Online. Our preexisting relationship with many
of their developers aided in
learning and getting involved in
the game quickly. In it’s first run
through our scoring system 6
months before launch it scored a
86%, the highest on any branch
we’ve ever had. It dwarfed all
of the primary contenders. It
was decided that this was the
direction we would go with our
5th chapter in hopes we could
reunite the Raiders and large
scale siege warfare players under
1 roof.
A Home Established in
Tamriel
Our life in Elder Scrolls Online
started with a bang and off to
the races we went. Players from
our past games flooded to the
scene to get a taste of our newest
chapter.
By the end of the second
month, we had experienced the
traditional surge and fall as we
have with all the games prior. We
We started comparing titles began with 5 guilds to support
and looked at several. The the load from the initial rush and
most standout among them have been able to reduce them to
were Archeage and Elder 4 now that the surge is complete.
13
We are now in a stable place
where we have begun exploring
our place in this world and have
made some new friends within
the community. In the days to
come, are future will be ones of
growth and adventure.
Guild Wars 2, we will continue
to be a leader and role model for
those within the Sanctum of Rall
community.
A year from now, our
methods and reputation should
be solidified within the Elder
Scrolls community. As always we
The Future
will have one eye on the horizon
Every successful business, while continuing to be involved
community, or family has a with the development process of
plan for the future. I was always the games we play. It is my hope,
taught that you should build a that we can help guide ZeniMax
plan for the future based off of Online and ArenaNet into
where you want to be a month, bringing some of the features,
a year, 5 years and 10 years that have been crippling our
from now. While you may or community from thriving, into
may not achieve these goals, it is their games so that we can
important to have them to keep unlock their full potential.
your focus on track and moving
Our 5 year plan is to continue
forward.
our course of bringing fun,
Over the next few months, friendly,
and
memorable
Gaiscioch will be growing gameplay to various fantasy
within both Guild Wars 2 and based games. It would be great if
Elder Scrolls Online further one of the 2 games we’re playing
establishing their presence. We today were in this future, but
will find our role in the Elder the face of the MMORPG world
Scrolls Community and begin has changed to the point that
hosting our newest public most games have a lifespan of
community event series. In 2-4 years. We likely will be onto
14
our 7th chapter. Additionally, I
am working on a few proposals
for panels and would like to start
getting our name out there at
conferences as a panelist.
I have many dreams and
visions of where I’d like
Gaiscioch to go in 10 years. Some
crazy ideas include creating a
chain of restaurants and pubs to
actually building an MMORPG.
There is so much potential in
the future we can envision, that
almost anything we dream up
seems possible. We have been
blessed over the past decade
with some amazingly talented
people joining the community
and I look forward to a future
where we can share our success
together. It would be great if
in 10 years, we could actually
hold a Conference hosted by
Gaiscioch, focused on Gaming
Communities. Possibilities are
endless.
Regardless of where we end
up, I look forward to the journey,
of future memories, and epic
conquests at every turn.
15
From Camelot to Tamriel With
Matt Firor
By Benjamin Foley
M
att Firor has been a key player in the
world of Massively Multiplayer games
since the beginning. Many of you know
his latest project with ZeniMax Online’s “The Elder
Scrolls Online”, but his story began long ago.
In 1990 Matt co-founded
Interesting Systems (ISI) with
Rob Denton and two others.
He was the co-designer and
lead content developer for ISI’s
multi-user BBS game Tempest
(later renamed Darkness Falls).
This would later be merged with
Adventures Unlimited Software
to form Mythic Entertainment
in 1995.
In 2006, he parted ways with
Mythic Entertainment and later
resurfaced in 2007 at the helm
of ZeniMax Online Studios. His
latest project is our very own
home for chapter 5, The Elder
Scrolls Online. It’s rare that
you get the chance to sit down
and speak with someone who
has been a part of creating the
worlds your community calls
home. Matt Firor had his hand in
Matt worked with Mythic creating the game that gave birth
Entertainment
to
produce to the Gaiscioch Family and also
the groundbreaking title and in our current chapter in The
birthplace of the Gaiscioch, Elder Scrolls Online. 12 Years
Dark Ages of Camelot. It was the of gaming and Firor has been a
first game to deploy large scale part of the majority of them.
siege warfare on a three realm
front and was set in the Camelot Today I get the opportunity to
folklore.
ask him a few questions about
16
his journey from BBS to The
Elder Scrolls Online. Who better
to share his story than one with
such a successful history in
MMORPG gaming.
Thank you Matt for joining
me today to answer a few
burning questions. The
first of which, I have to ask,
Did you ever imagine that
the BBS style game would
evolve into the MMO’s we
have today?
Matt Firor (MF): I don’t think
back in the late 80’s I could have
envisioned what modern games
have evolved into – but the basics
are still very similar. Players
connected over a network,
experiencing the same game
world together, working with
each other – and in some cases,
fighting against one another.
Even though it was text back
then, and high-res 3D graphics
now, the principles are the same.
Can you tell us about the
founding of ISI? What
inspired you and Rob to
create Tempest?
MF: Way back when, in the mid1980’s, there was a multi-user
BBS game called “Scepter of
Goth” that I played with some
friends in the Washington, DC
area. You dialed in, the server
had 10 or so modems attached to
it, so you could play with up to
9 others at the same time. There
was a standard message board
attached to it, so while playing
you could chat with other players,
and leave message for those who
were offline. It was what would
now be called a MUD, although
I’m not sure if it was part of the
official MUD code base. Scepter
was licensed around the US by
a company, so there was the
Washington-based server, and
then others in other parts of the
States. Interesting to note: you
paid $5.00/hour – if memory
serves me correct – to play this
game, so it got expensive, very
quickly.
with the licensing company to
set up the modems and server
location we’d need in Atlanta.
Sadly, the Atlanta version of
Scepter never materialized, as
the company we licensed the
game from went out of business
soon thereafter. But, this
energized us to start working on
our own game, written from the
ground up, so we wouldn’t have
to rely on outside partners. In
full ignorance of MUDs (I didn’t
even hear that term until 5 years
after this), we sat down and
started coding and designing a
game and (text based) virtual
world. That game was Tempest
(although it was renamed
Darkness Falls a few years later),
and it became the core code base
for many of Mythic’s games,
including Dark Age of Camelot.
At what point did you
realize you were sitting on
a game changer that would
change the face of gaming
for generations to come?
MF: I don’t think I really ever
have. We were just trying to
make a game that we wanted
to play. If you ever realize that
you are “changing the face” of
anything, then you’re probably
over thinking it. The goal is
always to make a great game.
Let’s talk about Dark Age
of Camelot, one of my
personal favorite games
and the game that changed
my mind about MMO’s.
What
inspired
Mythic
Entertainment to create a
game set in this fantasy time
period? There are so many
other places you could have
set this adventure. Why
Camelot?
MF: Because Arthurian legends
(and Viking mythology and Celtic
legends) are all in the public
domain. We had no money, so
we couldn’t base the game on
any recognized IP that we would
have to license, so Mark Jacobs,
Mythic’s President, came up
with the idea of King Arthur and
Camelot – known worldwide,
and perfectly free to use. It was
genius.
So, some friends and I –
including Rob, who I met while
playing Scepter – decided to
license the game ourselves
and set up a Scepter server in
Atlanta, where another friend of
ours, Don Campbell, was going
to college at Georgia Tech. We
licensed our server, set it up at
Rob’s house, and spent a few
months developing our own
game world while we worked
17
Do you have any favorite
memories about the early
days of Camelot and Mythic
that you would care to
share?
MF: The first Realm we worked
on was (obviously) Albion,
so most of my development
memories are of those areas as
the game was in its formative
stages. But my main character
MF: How sad that I answer this was a Midgard Warrior, for
question on the very day that I reasons unclear to me at this
found out the studio was shutting point – probably that’s where
down. It is a sad day, I have so most of my guild was playing at
many memories of Mythic. Of the time, and I stuck with it.
course I have many, many fond
Camelot,
many
memories of that time. What Since
most people who only know studios have played their
about Mythic through Dark Age hand at duplicating that
of Camelot don’t realize is that RvR feeling you introduced.
Camelot was Mythic’s 12th or 13th None have managed to
game (I forget) – we had made duplicate it until now. What
at least a couple games a year for is it that makes the 3 realm
six years by that point. We did siege war so successful?
a run of movie-licensed online
shooters
(Godzilla
Online, MF: In a 1v1 fight, any population
Aliens Online, Independence imbalance (even one or two
Day Online, Starship Troopers), percent) is a big imbalance. With
and a really good top-down 3-way PvP, the balance is more
spaceship combat game called forgiving, because it is much
Silent Death Online.
harder (although still possible)
for one side to totally dominate.
One fun fact: Until very late in
beta, the Dark Age of Camelot’s Between your time at
title theme was the Monty Mythic Entertainment and
Python and the Holy Grail ZeniMax Online Studios
theme. Anyone who played in I understand you formed
Ultra Mega Games which
early betas will remember this.
focused on consulting. In
I have to ask, which was your that year, were you already
realm? Hibernia, Midgard, thinking up new ideas for
the next best thing? What
or Albion?
18
ambitions drove you to keep
you fresh and in the game?
MF: I consulted for just
over a year in between game
development jobs, but mostly I
was gathering info for my clients
and taking some much needed
time off with the family. I think
of it more as a time to recharge
than anything else.
Funny enough, since I
first played Morrowind I
always imagined an Elder
Scrolls MMO would be
phenomenal. Now I have
my hands on it and I have to
say it’s surpassed even what
I could imagine. What was
that first day with ZeniMax
like? Did they just drop it
in your lap and say make
it happen? How did Elder
Scrolls Online come to be?
MF: The plan all along was to
make an Elder Scrolls MMOG –
that was what we talked about
from our earliest conversations.
I spent a lot of time in the early
days of the project working
with the guys at Bethesda to
make sure that the timeline for
the game was set, the general
setup of the Alliance War was
approved, and the main story
(centered around Molag Bal)
was ok with everyone.
console versions done.
times fall short. Do you
still find yourself leaning
on your past experiences
to help shape your future
ideas? At what point does
your ambition to innovate
get toned down by your
knowledge of player needs?
How do you keep the
balance to remain fresh and
relevant?
So be honest, you took on
a product with a 13 year
history. I imagine that would
be quite the frightening task.
Living up to years worth of
fan base buildup has got to
be quite a challenge. Over
the next 7 years you’d see the
MF: I’ve been in the industry successful life of Oblivion
so long that there were many and Skyrim raising that bar
different developers on my mind even higher. Were you ever MF: Every project starts with
when I started the project – some worried you wouldn’t do the blue-sky ideas, most of which
meet the cold reality of timelines
I was successful in recruiting and Elder Scrolls justice?
and feasibility – but definitely
some I wasn’t, which is normal.
The game industry – and MF: Working with an IP of the we had the idea with ESO to
especially the MMOG industry – caliber of The Elder Scrolls bring a new server experience
is so small that almost everyone comes with the pressure of by removing the need for players
making sure that you deliver a to select a server before they
knows everyone else.
product that matches the IP. We started playing. Being able to
I must say you’ve built an worked long and had to make have friends across the entire
amazingly talented team ESO a great Elder Scrolls game userbase of one megasever is
and an even more amazing – but one that you can play with pretty cool, and that led to being
able to be a member of multiple
product. What’s next on the your friends (and enemies).
guilds, etc. Between that and
agenda? We’ve launched,
begun finding those pesky You have a phenomenal ESO’s return to “classic” threepost launch bugs, and can knack for making mind way PvP, we’re really happy with
games
that the way that those large systems
start looking to the future. blowing
What are the short and long revolutionize the MMO came together.
term goals that your team is scene. With Elder Scrolls
Online you brought back Over the years MMORPGs
looking at?
changed
quite
Siege
War
with
AvA, have
mainstream drastically. In Camelot we
MF: Our goals are clear: keep introduced
adding regular content and Megaservers, and perfected didn’t have quest icons
features to the PC game while the Multi-Guild Gaming. telling us where to go. Today
fixing imbalances and adding Other games have tried to almost every game produced
polish. At the same time get the master these areas but often requires developers to hand
So now you have a project,
you have a goal, you need to
staff your company with the
best talent. Did you already
have people in mind for the
roles or was it a traditional
recruiting process?
19
hold players and show them
the way. Are we as gamers
becoming so lazy that we
require these things or is
it a natural progression of
streamlining products to
maximize efficiency and
time usage?
MF: That is a great question.
There is a delicate balance
between player autonomy and
too much information – players
are now very much used to onscreen indications to direct them
where they should be going.
We’re now at the point where a
game that doesn’t have direction
indicators of some type feels like
its missing something.
I have to admit, I do miss
the days when I would
get lost in the wilderness
looking for a location for
that named creature. Elder
Scrolls Online seems to
have tried to rekindle that
experience by removing
the Minimap and making
players rely on a compass to
tell them where to go. What
was the inspiration behind
removing mini-maps and
20
x/y locations from the
traditional style MMO?
a new Road Ahead article going
up this week in which we’ll talk
about some of our future plans –
MF: Exactly what you said – keep an eye out for it.
we had a minimap in the game
initially, but it just felt too easy What do you see for the
to find things in the game. We future of the MMO industry?
experimented with the compass, You’ve been there at the
and decided it was a much birth, and are here at its
better feel. Part of the joy of destination, where do you
ESO is the journey – exploring, see MMOs taking us in the
wandering around, and if you future?
have a minimap that shows you
everything all the time, it just MF: People always want to
play great games, and I think if
takes away from that feeling.
developers concentrate on that,
Are there any exciting then all the questions answer
features currently lined up themselves. There’s going to
for launch this fall you can be inevitable evolution – new
share with us? We know the devices, new horsepower, etc.
world will be continuously – but the basics of game design
growing with new and fresh and virtual world design will
content is there any hints always drive how online games
you can share as to what’s are made.
in store for us?
Thank you so much for
MF: We’ve already publicly taking the time to sit down
discussed the features we’re and talk with me. It has
working on, so there’s nothing truly been a journey none of
really new to add to the list – but us will likely forget. I look
we are very excited about having forward to our future with
regular updates to the game. One Elder Scrolls Online and
of the huge advantages of games the continued success of
like ESO is how they expand and ZeniMax Online.
get better after launch. We have
21
On the Front Lines with
Colin Johanson
By: Benjamin Foley
I
n light of this issue
focusing on the lives
of game developers
and the changes taking
shape in the industry
over the years, we’ve
managed to steal a few
moments from the ever
busy Colin Johanson,
Game Director for Guild
Wars 2.
Colin’s game producing career
has most recently been spent at
ArenaNet, but his involvement
in gaming goes well beyond
his 9 years spent on the Guild
Wars team. His career dates
back to 1997, when he worked
as a game designer on Dragon’s
Gate, and later as lead designer
on the Multi-User Dungeon
22
(MUD) created by Mark Jacobs’
Interworld Productions (the
company that would later
become Mythic Entertainment).
Additionally, he spent time
working for Zipper Interactive
and Games Workshop.
Thank you Colin for taking the
time to meet with me today. A
lot of our members are excited to
hear what you have to say about
the future of Guild Wars 2 as
well as gaming in general.
Let me start of by asking,
what was it like working with
Mark Jacobs on Dragon’s
Gate? This was the starting
point of the revolution that
would become MMORPG’s
and quite possibly one of the
game changing titles that
opened the door for games
like Dark Age of Camelot.
What was it like to witness
these early days of online
multiplayer games?
Colin Johanson (CJ): When I first
started working for Interworld
Productions, Mark was focused
on a number of other products at
the time separate from Dragon’s
Gate, predominantly Spellbinder
(Magestorm 2) and Darkness
Falls, so I didn’t really work
with him very much. My time
was mostly spent learning from
Darrin and Lori Hyrrup, two of
the original pioneers in the game
industry who later helped create
Dark Age of Camelot (DAoC)
and made it the amazing hit that
it became. They really helped
set my career in motion, in
particular seeing potential in me
and trusting a teenager to take
over as lead designer on a team
and a project with GMs with
decades more life experience
to offer; if not for them taking
that chance on me, I’m not sure
where I’d be today.
Since you asked about him in
particular, one fun Mark story
I can share is when I spent a
summer out in Virginia during
college (I mostly worked
remotely during those years)
cleaning up code Mark wrote in
the very early days of Dragon’s
Gate. For all I know, it’s the only
code he ever wrote, but I can say
based on that experience he was
a far better CEO than he was a
coder!
The big three online text-based
RPG games back when AOL was
huge and “published” everyone
on the MUD side were really
Gemstone, Dragon’s Gate, and
Dragon Realms. Those three
in particular, with countless
hundreds of other text-based
games and limited graphical
MMO’s like Magestorm, helped
set the foundation for where
MMOs would go in the future.
The lessons learned from
Dragon’s Gate and Darkness
Falls provided a lot of the
inspiration and concepts that
led to the creation of DAoC. For
example, I’m not sure how many
people realize that “Darkness
Falls,” the iconic location in
DAoC, was named after one of
Mythic’s big online text-based
games back in the day.
One of the great ironies (and
inspirations) to me is how
graphics-based MMO’s have
spent the last two decades
trying to get back to the things
that made those early textbased games such amazing
experiences. Those early text
games were living worlds; there
were live scenarios and storylines
constantly running in the game
being led by the designers (GMs)
that literally changed, created,
and destroyed parts of the
world. There were live playerrun scenarios and storylines,
political intrigue between the
players,
player-run
stores,
player-created economies, and
even player-created parts of the
world. Some MMOs have done
some really great stuff over the
years, but it’s nearly impossible
to capture the freedom of change
within the game that text as
a medium gave the players/
developers to work with.
I don’t think any of us could
have imagined just how big
the MMORPG scene would
become in just the short
few years it’s been around.
I imagine if anyone had that
vision it would have been
someone on the front lines.
Did you expect to see the
rise of MMORPG’s to be so
rapid?
CJ: I feel like that jump wasn’t
that hard to predict, it was just
the future of where gaming was
going as the Internet became
more approachable and maybe even just as important affordable. Suddenly, games that
traditionally had been reserved
as single-player experiences were
all going to open up to the world
of multiplayer. When thinking
about those early single-player
RPGs like Quest for Glory, or
King’s Quest, or Final Fantasy,
there was always one big barrier:
I couldn’t have my friends over
(or go someplace) and play
the game with them. I had to
make the choice: hang with my
friends, which meant Mario
Kart, GoldenEye, Street Fighter,
etc., OR go solo and play an
RPG. That choice naturally put
limitations on those games and
prevented them from a broader
appeal or shared experiences.
Once that wall was down, a new
genre would almost inevitably
grow out of that.
Two MMOs stand out to me as
the ones I look back on that I’m
not sure I ever thought would
reach the levels of success they
have: Lineage and World of
Warcraft. For western gamers,
the first name really likely
doesn’t mean very much, but
Lineage was the east’s version of
WoW before WoW ever existed
when considering massive,
breakout,
industry-defining
success. UO, EQ, and DAoC were
huge success stories for their
time, but Lineage and WoW just
crushed them in both revenue
and players. The jump from what
was considered a “successful”
MMO when comparing WoW
or Lineage to the other games
of their generation was just
incredible. To this day, most
new MMOs are generally lucky
to come in around the same
ballpark userwise of where EQ/
DAoC were back in the day, and
I’d guess most of them would
consider that a success.
Free-to-play has been another
really interesting addition to
the mix, and something I’d have
23
CJ: I remember back in the day
that folks playing MUDs used to
make fun of the early graphical
MMOs because they didn’t have
the flexibility to change the
world and players couldn’t drive
the stories and role-playing
the way text games allowed.
The latency was so terrible in
the early graphical experiences
that oftentimes games could
be borderline unplayable. You
have to remember, everyone
was on dial-up. I’ll never forget
that sweet, sweet modem sound
when you dialed in to play. A
lot of folks thought they’d each
be a flash in the pan and gone
again because of how you could
literally do anything in the
world in text-based games, but
graphics limited your “sandbox”
dramatically.
I
remember
specifically
reading
forum
threads about how EQ sucked
I imagine that in the early cause you couldn’t “RP any way
days there was a lot of you want” like you could in a
criticism
and
disbelief text-based RPG.
that Massively
Online
Multiplayer games would EQ, UO, DAoC, and others proved
be successful. Did you find that wrong and opened up the
people downplaying your genre to a much larger audience.
achievements early on? Any Suddenly, MMOs were seeing
funny experiences to share? a million subscribers, and they
never considered an option
15+ years ago when I thought
about where the industry
would go Bandwidth costs
dictated monthly (or hourly!)
fees as a mandatory part of the
experience. The games recently
that can claim the kind of player
numbers in the ballpark of a
WoW or Lineage are almost all
F2P titles, and in the east some
of the F2P titles number users
in the 30-50 million range,
absolutely destroying any kind of
conceivable active user numbers
I could have ever imagined. It’s
worth noting, though, that only
a very small percentage of users
in most F2P games actually
generate revenue, so it’s not
exactly a straight comparison
when talking vs. WoW/Lineage,
but it’s still very impressive.
24
were paying $10–15 a month,
which to a lot of folks may have
seemed expensive at the time—
little did they know the very
first MMOs used to be far more
expensive. In the earliest days
of text-based MMOs on GEnie,
you’d pay upwards of $12/hr to
play many of the games! Even
during AOL’s prime years, games
like Dragon’s Gate were $2/hr to
play. Bandwidth costs sure have
changed over time!
In
2005
you
joined
ArenaNet, what was the
studio like back then? Do
you find the lifestyle is
similar to the way it was or
has it evolved over time?
CJ: Well, first and foremost, it
was much smaller. You knew
everyone, you saw everyone
every day, and it was a very small,
tight-knit family. Everyone had
to work on everything, it felt like,
to be able to get parts of the game
done. Each individual team/
department on GW2 now is a bit
like what the entire ArenaNet
company was back in those
days on GW1, Prophecies in
particular. Some things haven’t
that ship experience; it was a
hell of a bonding moment for
the entire company. It’s amazing
how welcoming that team was
to someone who showed up for
the very end. It felt like family
after just a few days; I’ll never
One fun story to help give an forget that. Sometimes I think
idea of what that ship process back on it and can’t believe it
for Prophecies was like: I was all turned out as well as it did.
hired about five weeks before That’s just the company culture
Prophecies shipped, and at of ArenaNet: everyone was
the time, there were almost no insanely talented and pulled off
quests other than the main story miracles every day.
“link quests” to support the
missions in the game. There was One of my favorite memories
a big Word doc I was handed on that helps give an idea of the
my first day filled with quests early culture of ArenaNet is the
Eric had written, and Ben asked very first Halloween festival
me to “build as many as you in Guild Wars. I remember a
can.” There was a crazy haze company e-mail went out asking
of caffeine and sleeping on the if people wanted to volunteer to
floor while waiting for my stuff work some extra hours to build
to arrive from Virginia in a something small to celebrate
moving van, and five weeks later, Halloween for the players. I went
Prophecies went out the door. to the meeting room on a Friday
Everyone from that release has afternoon expecting a few people
their own amazing story about to be there, and instead it was
changed from those early days
- this company has always tried
to do big, ambitious, push-thelimit ideas, and I think that spirit
lives on to this day at the core of
what ArenaNet is.
like half the company - everyone
wanted to pitch in. We basically
worked the entire weekend and
knocked out the Halloween
festival, Mad King Thorn jokes
and all, and it was awesome.
That’s how live events got made
in the early days in Guild Wars,
and it set the stage for so much
of what would follow.
The
company/culture
has
evolved a lot over time,
predominantly as a result of going
from around 60 or 70 employees
to over 350. It’s unavoidable
when a company changes that
much in a relatively rapid period
of time, but with great change
comes great opportunity. Guild
Wars was a great success for us,
but the team we had back then
was far too small to be able to
take on a daunting and massive
project like GW2. Also, our office
is no longer in danger of falling
over into a swamp, which is a
nice bonus.
25
Between the work that you
did on the original Guild
Wars and Guild Wars 2 what
has been one of the greatest
obstacles that you and the
team have had to overcome?
CJ: There have been so many
obstacles over the years… I
think one of my favorites was
trying to find out if the dynamic
event system was going to be
successful. The GW2 engine was
a multi-year project before we
could start using it as designers,
which meant we needed some
place to test our crazy ideas
about this “event” system that’d
later define so much of the
content in GW2. The idea was
floated that we should just build
the event system in GW1, and
so Queensdale was born! What
feels like ages ago, we started out
by building the garrison, and the
centaurs, and the human starting
area using the GW1 engine and
built a fake event system to learn
what GW2 would be like.
Those lessons provided the
guidance and outline we used to
craft the dynamic event system
in GW2 and helped us answer the
question that, yes indeed, events
would be a viable model for us in
our new game. Figuring out how
every little component would
work - scaling, removing player
conflict,
handling
rewards,
messaging, content direction,
pacing of content, etc. - all came
after that, and each proved to be
their own obstacle to overcome,
but that very initial concept
helped us solve the biggest
question of all: should we do it?
Guild Wars 2 has changed
focus and shape constantly
since it’s launch. As you
refine this product more,
26
what areas do you see the something that you are most
most consistent demand proud of?
and growth?
CJ: Wow, that’s a tough one. I
CJ: We have a very demanding think my favorite memory from
customer base. They expect GW1 was getting to work on and
consistent growth and support help drive many of the festival,
not just in a few specific areas, minigame, and fun side quest
but in every area of the game! projects. From roller beetle
We love that; we want to be racing, Kilroy boxing, polymock,
pushed to be the best possible secret snowman lair, Halloween,
lunar
festival,
developers we can be. Our Wintersday,
players are our partners on this parts of Sorrow’s Furnace, the
wild ride that is an MMO, and bonus mission pack, and more,
the high bar they expect from I got a chance to work on some
us is a huge compliment to the amazingly fun projects with a
potential they see in our game. lot of incredibly talented people.
With a game as large as GW2, it’s I didn’t get to build a lot of the
a challenge to try and keep up content in GW2 - being more on
with all the different components the management team for the
of the game, to update and project - other than some of the
focus on and attempt to strike a very early events in Queensdale,
balance between them, but we’ll so I have a lot of fond memories
continue to do our best to meet of those days from GW1 when I
our fans’ insatiable appetites for came in every day and got to build
more! I really can’t pick even a the world. Being game director is
few specific areas; we want to also an awesome dream job, but
ensure we’re making the entire it’s rewarding in different ways
game better and helping it all than building content was.
consistently grow.
On GW2, five years of
The April 2014 patch was development before release gives
quite possibly one of the a lot of time for great memories,
largest upgrades to hit Guild but my favorite is absolutely
Wars 2 so far, are there the first time we brought the
plans for more patches like playable demo of the game to
Gamescom in Germany. We’d
this in the future?
spent three months before that
CJ: There will absolutely, working like crazy to polish and
positively be more feature packs clean up every little detail we
in the future for Guild Wars could to get ready for that world
2. Our first feature pack was premiere, and in the matter of
extremely successful for us, and those three months, the game
we’re looking forward to doing massively transformed from a
prototype we saw potential in to
more!
a fully functional and playable
In your time both creating game with two complete maps.
and playing Guild Wars 1 We all felt pretty confident about
& 2, what has been the one where the game stood, but when
thing that stands out for you you’re as close to the project as
when you think about your we all were, it sometimes can be
favorite memory? Is there hard to tell how something will
be received when rolled out to
a large audience - in particular
an audience as massive as
Gamescom.
I remember being so nervous,
amped, and excited that I barely
slept on the flight to Germany
or the first few days we were
there before the show began.
I remember Eric and I staying
up way too late talking about
game design ideas due to all
the adrenaline and nerves from
knowing what was coming. A day
before the show, a press outlet
shot some really grainy footage of
one of our practice presentation
settings on the show floor and
released it as “world’s first”
footage of GW2. It was grainy,
our characters were all using dev
commands to be invisible so the
mobs didn’t actually react to us,
and it was a horrible way to see
the game for the first time. The
Internet exploded with people
talking about how bad the game
looked - combat with mobs that
ignored players and such. A day
before the actual show, here we
were with some horrible first
footage as the first thing anyone
saw of our demo, and let’s just
say…that’s not exactly the way
we’d hoped to show GW2 to the
world - via fake, temporary, testrun demo.
Another mostly sleepless night
later and the show began. We
had lines 4 - 6 hours long on the
show floor and 9 hours straight
of back-to-back-to - well, you get
it - media sessions up in the press
center. Back in Seattle, the entire
rest of the company stayed up
all night every night playing in
the maps with all the people on
the show floor to help show the
true MMO experience when you
played in a map filled with other
players. They worked in shifts,
had a command HQ that helped
coordinate groups of devs to join
events other players were doing
to show how dynamic scaling
worked, and generally tried to
make it a giant 4-day (overnight)
party at the office.
importantly, the reaction was
overwhelmingly positive. Maybe
more positive than we even
thought was possible. People
absolutely loved it; they got back
in line multiple times to wait 4 - 6
hours to play again. The reviews
and comments coming out of the
show were glowing, and the vibe
around the game suddenly shot
through the roof overnight.
When we all returned home,
we did it all again at PAX and
showed the game one more time
to the same fan reaction in the
US, and it reinforced to all of
us just how big GW2 could be.
The feeling on the team shifted
after those shows. I remember
a distinct transition from all of
us thinking it could be good to
knowing it was going to be good
after that. It was a validation of
years of work and a deep sigh of
relief for all of us at ArenaNet,
and it really changed the
dialogue around the game from
By the end of day one, we were that day forward. I’ll remember
all dead tired, both in Seattle that feeling on the flight home
and Germany, and the show from Gamescom for the rest of
had barely begun…but most my life, and as a bonus, I could
27
finally sleep knowing everything
CJ: I was talking with a friend at
was going to be OK.
PAX East in Boston not long ago
What else can you tell us about this, and I think the VR side
about the future of Guild is going to be really interesting Wars 2 and the goals you are in particular for games where the
striving to achieve over the monitor/TV can’t do a great job
of very quickly allowing you to
next few months to a year?
assess the situation around you
CJ: I can tell you we’re extremely with camera movements. For
excited about Guild Wars 2 in example, flight sims or driving
2014, and we hope all our players sims where you can quickly look
are equally excited once we’re above/around you with the VR
able to announce all our plans! options will be amazing and
Also, they absolutely won’t want make a massive leap in a genre
to miss Living World Season 2 that’s made precious few steps
starting on July 1st. More info… in the last decade. Maybe if
when it’s ready!
someone brings back X-Wing vs.
Tie Fighter (DO THIS PLEASE!)
Since you first started it could be amazing without
working with Multiplayer having to contend with some of
RPG’s you’ve seen them go the clunky camera interactions
from text based to virtual and getting a true fighter pilot
reality. Where do you think experience. I don’t see all games
it will be in another 10 going this route, but I certainly
years? With Oculus Rift and see some types where the VR
many other VR technologies side could certainly bring a lot to
hitting the shelves and VR their experience.
making an appearance.
What challenges do you As for the genre as a whole, I
foresee as developers to think we’ll continue to see more
maintain an edge on this work towards making MMOs
ever changing technology.
feel like you’re truly living inside
28
of a living game world - be that
through VR, truly dynamic AI
capable of making decisions that
define and change the world, the
next evolution of event content
systems, real-time multiplayer
stories that affect the world, or
fully player-owned/run worlds.
We’re going to see more power
being put in the players’ hands
in their ability to change, define,
and own their world - and a
world which in turn reacts to
those actions and interactions
the players make. Ironically, in
many ways it takes us all the way
back to your very first question.
Games are more and more going
back to what they were long ago,
when they were text based - easy
to modify worlds that users can
impact, change, and even own.
But they’re doing it to a level of
modification, change, and world
reaction I’m not sure even the
text-based gamers could have
imagined possible. And they
certainly wouldn’t have thought
it possible in a graphics-based
online RPG.
Discover
the Living World
of Guild Wars 2
The Living World
You deserve to experience a truly living,
constantly evolving world, so we ship new
content and features on a regular basis
Exploration
Tyria is full of millions of things to see and
do – you earn rewards just by exploring this
ever changing fantasy world.
Competitive Play
Join hundreds of other players in epic World
vs World battles or test your skills in quick,
fun Player vs Player matches!
GUILDWARS2
©2010–2014 ArenaNet, LLC and NC Interactive, Inc. All rights reserved. Guild Wars, Guild Wars 2, ArenaNet,
NCSOFT, the Interlocking NC Logo, and all associated logos and designs are trademarks or registered
trademarks of NCSOFT Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
29
The Spectacular Life of MMO Mastermind
Scott Hartsman
by Benjamin Foley
I
recently decided to
ask my good friend
Scott Hartsman if
he would be willing to
do an interview for the
Gaiscioch
Magazine
about his life on the
inside of some of the
most groundbreaking
projects in the industry.
MMO Industry. He has seen it
all: subscriptions models, free2-play, mobile, the rise and fall
of some major games, and he has
come out on top.
Thank you so much for
joining us today Scott, Let
me start this off by asking if
you could tell us what it was
like building games in the
80’s? What were budgets
like back then and how
long did it take to produce a
game?
Scott Hartsman (SH): Honestly,
at that point I would’ve been
Scott Hartsman is now the of AOL Games to Everquest too young to even be aware of
CEO of Trion Worlds, one of Online to RIFT, Scott has been a what budgets were, if they even
the largest producers of MMO driving force behind several top- existed. The first online games I
worked on were people’s second
Games currently on the market. tier MMO productions.
jobs for the adults, and I was one
His story began in 1986 as a
game designer for Interplay on I had the opportunity to ask of the 16-17 year olds pitching in,
a little game called Scepter of him about his experiences and with the group being 6-8 people
Goth. His career took off, and challenges in gaming along total.
his involvement in multiplayer with the trends and changes in
games grew. From his early days expectations that he sees in the I can tell you that the first two
games I worked on paid precisely
30
zero, and my second one paid
about $100 a month which
reimbursed my phone bill. The
budgets must have run into the
dozens of dollars over a year of
development!
Do you have a favorite
memory of your early years
of game development that
you’d be willing to share?
SH: Sure. In the early 90’s, I
left games to get an engineering
degree, and after I graduated, I
ended up working a “Real Job”
doing online software for a
Fortune 100 company. No one
really viewed games as a way
for a “Respectable Midwestern
Adult” to make an actual living
that involved luxuries such as
food and housing.
About a year into that job, I got
a call from an old friend, Jessica
Mulligan, who remembered
me from our time working on
that first generation of MUDs
(multi-user dungeons). She
was out in the exotic lands of
California, where there were
actual Game Companies. And
she was working at one of them!
And she thought I might be able
to help them! The company
she was at needed someone to
make two online trivia games
where hundreds of people could
play at the same time, with
scoring and leaderboards. One
was for Billboard, the other for
The Improv. She wondered if I
might be interested in helping
out. It needed to be a Windows
3.1 client and run on a Solaris
(Unix) server.
Out of a group of 150 Perfect! I just had to learn
programmers, maybe 4 or 5 of us Windows programming for that
had even heard of the Internet, last job - of course I could make
much less actually used it. That a game!
made me one of the “experts,”
which was pretty exciting -- Remember, in my head, game
as I ended up with far more development was this thing that
responsibility than I had any Adults only did as their Second
right for a guy who had been Job, so of course I said yes - I
out of school for five minutes. could clearly do it at night.
One of these tasks included
being the sole developer on the If this were a movie, three
Windows client, despite my only big boxes would arrive at my
qualification being that I owned
a Windows programming book
that I had yet to open.
house with $25000+ of Sun
Sparcstation hardware, then
there’d be a programming
montage as I spent the next few
months trying to figure out what
the hell I’d gotten myself into.
Questions such as, “Do you have
trivia questions to send me? I’m
at the point I could use some,”
were met with, “Hey! We should
get some of those!”
We didn’t do a lot of planning in
those days.
A few months later, I had a
working, skinnable, minimallymassive-online trivia engine
that could load the right theme
of questions. It looked like the
right-themed game, complete
with chat rooms to use between
games and leaderboards, and it
was even kind of fun! Ok, it was
a little fun.
That first online game was
something I did entirely by
myself, end to end, from
databases to graphics and
everything in between. That’s
when I was re-hooked on games.
I was playing with more different
types of technology than the
people I’d graduated with who
were doing Serious Things
with their degrees. I discovered
We ended up writing the first
system that would end up
being used for digitally signed
electronic filings for legal
documents in court anywhere
in the US, including in the
court that was handling the
OJ Simpson trial at the time.
Spoiler: Filings are boring. Huge
disappointment.
31
making things that could be fun
again!
mortals yet. The way most people
programmed visuals in DirectX
was called “DirectDraw,” which
That’s the game that led to my was all 2D. “Direct3D” was just
move to California where I’ve getting off the ground. People
simply didn’t have 3D hardware
been ever since.
yet.
So tell us about 2001, where
you took on what would be Around that same time, I’d tried
one of the biggest games Ultima Online (UO). I had been
to shape the MMO world-- a massive Ultima fan since the
EverQuest (EQ) with SONY original Ultima, but UO didn’t
Online Entertainment. Did do it for me for whatever reason.
you ever expect it to take off
I heard about EQ at a conference
like it did?
immediately before it came out,
SH: Yes and no. That EQ existed and a friend from a prior online
at all completely caught me by game company found me and
surprise. At the time I first came said, “You need to see this game.”
out to California, a handful of us
did want to make online RPGs She described the visuals and
using graphics instead of the text the environment to me and how
of the last generation, but none compelling it was turning out
of us were even thinking about to be. My immediate response
first person or 3D. It was too in my head was, “I am so never
early for that unless your name playing that game.”
was John Carmack or Michael
Abrash. The knowledge hadn’t I did know that if they could
really gone wide among mere pull off what she was describing,
32
it would be my perfect game.
What I didn’t know was how
many other people were really
interested in that kind of thing,
too.
I have to admit that at the
time Everquest went online,
I was a Site Lead at Harding
Marketing overseeing their
contract for the HP/Oracle
alliance. I kept losing my
best web developers to
Everquest.
I
originally
hated MMOs just because I
feared what would happen
to me if I played them. I
saw Everquest as this black
hole that consumed all of
my talented programmers.
Little did I know that soon I,
too, would find that passion
for the MMO world.
SH: The company that I was at
had the same thing happen. We
lost ops people to it entirely. On
the bright side, a whole lot of
things got automated really well-
-it left more time to play.
It’s insanely fascinating being
Even though I’d sworn that I around to see it all happening at
wouldn’t play EQ myself, one of once.
my coworkers bought me a copy,
which led to my joining them all You’ve worked with both
subscription models and
on the second or third day.
Free-to-Play (F2P) games
It’s safe to assume that I was over the years, can you
markedly less productive than I explain some of the pros
and cons for these 2 models
should have been for a time.
and give us a glimpse on how
MMOs have been at the each of these plays a role?
heart of your professional Also, what do you think the
life since 2001. What’s the biggest factor is that has
biggest change that you’ve shaped the MMO landscape
seen in how MMOs are over the years? Why has
produced now as opposed the move to F2P become so
popular?
to then?
SH: It’s interesting. In some
ways, it’s gotten bigger and
continues to get bigger. I heard
my first brag this year of someone
proud of the fact they had 600+
people working on their nonMMO massive online game.
That’s about 20 times as many
people as the EQ/DAoC era.
Those types of games need to be
recordbreaking, #1 sellers to not
be considered failures. The levels
of planning and coordination
that have to go into that are just
astounding, not to mention the
astronomical budgets.
In others, it’s come full circle.
We’ve returned to having one
or two people, or smaller teams
of a handful, and some with
dozens, just creating their own
games in very similar ways to the
original Wild West that existed
in 1999-2000. Now that the
tools are better, like Unity, AWS,
platforms like Glyph for online
game-specific tools, Steam for
distribution, and Kickstarter
for funding, smaller numbers
of people can do a lot more and
blaze their own trails.
cross-game, persistent guilds
started out back in those days,
as I’m sure you know better than
me!
Now, everyone is online.
Everyone who plays games plays
online games. Taken as a whole,
people tend to play the games
their friends are playing. Now,
for a subscription game to get
and keep an audience, they have
to get entire friend networks
to agree to pay a subscription.
That’s problem number one.
The way the physics around
subscribers work, think of games
as having their own gravity,
based on their number of
SH: One of the biggest factors players. Big games have massive
has been the change in social gravity. If World of Warcraft
dynamic among friend groups as (WoW) is Jupiter, it’s going to
the number of online games has have the greatest pull. If you go
back to WoW as a single player,
increased.
unaffiliated with any persistent
When online games were new, guild, chances are you know
people went online to make people you can play with. So, it’s
new online game friends. If you not that big of a risk to restart a
had a lot of friends in real life, subscription and play. The same
chances were that they didn’t can’t be said for smaller games,
play online games. A game only and it makes you a lot less likely
had to overcome the resistance to go back and try those if there’s
of one person to get them to a barrier like a subscription
hop over the wall to commit to a standing in the way.
subscription. They’d make new
online game friends once they I’ve used this phrase a lot: with
got there. A lot of the bigger, subscribers, you’re either “#1”
33
or you’re “everyone else.” That
gravity, or subscriber physics,
is what I meant. For the last 15
years, there’s always been a #1
that was able to maintain and
grow, while “everyone else”
didn’t. Now in 2014, we’re
seeing the former #1 declining,
as more people try online games
of entirely new genres, which
also happen to be free like
League of Legends and Defense
of the Agents 2. Now, they’re the
gravity holders.
SH: There’s actually a third stage
that comes after “hands dirty”
and “guy with ideas,” when you
don’t get to do much of either of
those anymore. I think we’d call
it “guy who tries to make sure
the idea people and hands dirty
people and everyone else can
excel and thrive.”
If I were CEO of a smaller
company, I’d be able to be more
involved. At the scale we work
at now, the best thing I can do is
make sure great people are able
to kick ass with as little meddling
as possible. What I do now is
more about helping set context
at the macro level, so people are
all as close to being on the same
page as possible. That way, they
know how to make sure what
their teams are, and everyone
knows how to make their own
decisions in a way that works for
our overall goals.
In your career, you have
gone from a Game Designer
to being the CEO of one of
the major players on the
forefront of MMOs today.
How well have you adjusted
from being the guy that
builds everything to the guy
that watches people build
everything? Do you still
get the chance to get your
hands dirty, or have you
found that you’re just the
We set context, and we have
idea man now?
34
to help other people grow into
being their own deciders. We
give them the values and they
bring the tools. I think I’d be
a terrible CEO if I was forcing
ideas on people or creating bugs
that I’d have no time to follow up
on in their stuff. :)
As for the hands on stuff? Yes, I
miss it constantly. Fortunately, it
turns out that helping make sure
other people have the latitude to
be awesome is not a bad second
pick.
So tell us, what’s the newest
project you’re working on?
I understand you’re now
working with XL Games
on bringing ArcheAge to
the American market. Can
you tell us a little about
ArcheAge and your role in
it?
SH: Indeed -- ArcheAge has
been fantastic to be involved
with. In a lot of ways, it’s the
perfect fantasy complement
to RIFT. Where RIFT is very
intentionally a theme park with
dynamic elements, ArcheAge is
very intentionally a PvP sandbox
with some themepark elements
included to guide people.
finished up.
Think of any conversation
you’ve had with someone where
you didn’t perfectly understand
each other on the first try. You
probably had to go back and
forth in a conversation with 5,
10, even 20 sentences trying
to clarify before you both were
on the same page. It’s perfectly
natural and human.
ArcheAge has been on
many players’ radars for
quite a while now, and it’s
pretty exciting that Trion
Worlds is bringing it to the
American market. There’s
When I first got involved with always been a long history
it late last year, my role was to of pristine quality from the
act as the Executive Producer. games you’ve worked on.
My job was to get everything on What challenges do you see Now try that where you’re only
track and make sure we were only bringing an Eastern market able to have that back-and-forth
once a day, across a language
asking for the tech we needed title to the West?
barrier,16 hours apart. Things
to get the game shipped at AAA
quality, and nothing extra. SH: There’s definitely any that would be a 5 minute chat
We had to develop the team number of them. At the strategic in-studio can be a 5-day email
of experts who would get the level, the overriding challenge thread.
game shipped. The translations is to make sure that we ship a
were all well underway, but the game that meets the western We get around this a few ways
tech integration work with our AAA standards our players by having people work off-shift
expect. It’s also all of the from time to time on both teams,
platform hadn’t begun yet.
different types of tactical details constantly connecting in real
In the time since, we’ve built underlying that broad statement time to chat wherever possible,
up a fantastic product group that make up the actual day-to- and taking trips out there to
to complement the translation day challenges. Most of those visit and realign. We also have
work. We have been running tactical details, no matter what to have infinite patience with
the game in alpha-testing for they’re related to, all involve one each others’ unique challenges
and the faith that we’re both
a few months as the rest of the thing: communication.
on the same page strategically
technology integration gets
35
in wanting to deliver the best support even more insane sales
damn AAA experience we can for targets than what the “top of the
line” already require to “not fail.”
ArcheAge players in the west.
However, that would also take
Do you have any estimations a new revolution in the human
on when we will start seeing side of project management and
a beta test for ArcheAge’s coordination. If it’s true that the
things you do at 600 people are
American version?
different than the things you do
SH: We’re very happy to say at 60, it stands to reason they’d
that closed beta testing begins in be as different from 600 to 1200
or 1500.
June.
Lastly I wanted to ask you,
from your perspective of
gaming, what trends do
you see changing the MMO
Landscape? Where can we
expect to see it go over the
next 10 years? Also, do you
have any final thoughts or
comments?
It’s good that tools like Unity,
Unreal, and Cryengine and more
available and commoditized.
Online game services have
become more open with Glyph,
and assets have become more
interchangeable via Unity Store
and Crydev. These tools will let
the 100 people of tomorrow do
what 500 can today. It already
SH: I think we’re going to lets 10 people today do what 50
continue to see a flight from did yesterday.
subscription at the mass scale,
though I think it does have a We’re going to see more people
place in specific types and sizes partnering with people that
normally might have been
of games.
competitors elsewhere. We’re
We’re just about that the point already doing some of that today,
where massive AAA teams can’t and we’ll be doing more of it in
scale much further without a the future. That’s really healthy
massive new influx of gamers to for the entire online gaming
36
ecosystem, since just like in the
real world, it creates a situation
where we’re all winning together.
Hopefully, that all makes for
more games that are better
games along with greater
stability in the game-making
space. That means more people
will stick around to learn and
constantly improve and then
they will pass knowledge on to
future generations of developers.
Thank you, Scott, for taking
the time to meet with me.
We’re all very excited to
see what you have in store
for ArcheAge and also the
future of Trion Worlds.
RIFT was a major landmark
in the Gaiscioch community.
We celebrated 2 years of
fun times and made epic
memories there. The guild
system you laid out in RIFT
was the best system we’ve
used to date. Keep up the
good work, and I look
forward to the ArcheAge
launch in America.
SH: Thanks, and we look forward
to seeing you again!
37
10 Most Overlooked MMO Features
By Benjamin Foley
I
began playing MMORPGs in 2001 with Dark Age of Camelot, and it
changed my perspective on MMOs forever. It wasn’t long thereafter that
I launched Gaiscioch as a casual social gaming community. Through the
years, I’ve seen great MMOs forget the simplest concepts, and hole-in-thewall MMOs come forth with features that seem so basic and necessary that
we wonder how we ever existed without them.
I have come up with 10 things that are absolute
essential for legacy communities (5+ years) to
thrive in a new title. These are things I constantly
share with game developers.
play with their friends resulted in players leaving
Guild Wars 2 in droves. Today, we sit at almost
500 active members.
A community like Gaiscioch has thousands of
members, and any branch is susceptible to a
huge surge of players that exceeds the guild cap.
In RIFT, Gaiscioch grew to over 2,500 active
members in a single month. At the time, RIFT was
a pay-to-play game. Financially, Gaiscioch alone
was responsible for over $37,475 in subscriptions
per month.
Legacy gaming communities have proven track
records to not only grow and maintain their
numbers over extended periods of time, but they
also have proven that they create an environment
within games which keeps players interested in
playing. They are essential to your long term goals
and success.
That might have been a fluke, right? Let’s take
a look at Elder Scrolls Online. This time, we
1. Guild Size Restrictions
launched with 1,300 players and were forced into
This is by far the most underestimated base 500 player guilds. We created three guilds, which
construct of an MMO today. There is no reason to we call rooms, for long term membership. We had
limit guild sizes. I have heard every excuse from to create two additional short term rooms for the
“Large communities ruin server communities” to most active players. This room required players
“It causes too much server instability”. Let me put to check in on the website every 14 days. Again,
it in the words of Scott Hartsman when I asked the inability to communicate with their friends
him what the guild size limit for RIFT would be: has lead to players leaving in mass. Our player
“If you can find one, call me and I’ll raise it.”
numbers have dropped from 1,300 to almost 800
in only 3 months.
For a community that has a five-plus year past,
oftentimes reducing the roster to 250 or 500 Each time we’ve launched into a game with a
players is just not possible. As a game developer, restricted guild system, it’s like launching a potato
you need to ask yourself a question, “Do you want from a cannon into a cheese grater. Subscriptions
the first experience a player has in your game to bleed out faster than developers can remedy the
be one where they can’t play with their friends?” situation. A community like Gaiscioch has the
Quite simply, guilds grow and can snowball over potential to bring thousands of players into a
years of gaming together. Players may come and game, but oftentimes game mechanics shoot us
go in any particular game, but they return again in down before we can even get off the ground killing
the future to the guild.
both profits and potential gains.
Let’s fast forward to the release of Guild Wars 2.
Guild Wars 2 limited guilds to 500 players. At
launch, Gaiscioch had 5 guilds nearly full and
a total of 2,000 players actively playing. The
inability to communicate between the guilds and
38
As the years progress and more legacy gaming
communities are born, this one feature is going to
be essential for any MMO’s chance of survival.
2. Alliance Systems and Cross
Guild Communication
Surprisingly, this is one feature that appears
to have been lost in newer games. Dark Age of
Camelot had a phenomenal Alliance system.
Warhammer Online followed suit with an equally
efficient Alliance system. RIFT left the alliance
system out of the game in lieu of a custom chat
channel system. Guild Wars 2 and Elder Scrolls
Online have neither an alliance or a custom chat
functionality. Why is this so important?
MMOs are built to be a social experience. They
were the Facebooks and Twitters of the late 90’s.
These games are highly reliant on people using
their social medium. Clubs, organizations, and
communities evolve when they are allowed to
communicate with one another.
Imagine working in a Fortune 500 company
and not being able to communicate with any
other department. Alliances allow like-minded
communities to build a bridge of communication
between their organizations.
launched, the public facing guild rosters and data
were long gone. We have not seen it since.
Why is this so important? Giving guilds the ability
to import data straight from the source into
their own websites not only allows them to save
countless hours of maintenance, but it also allows
them to help market the game to a wider audience
without tapping into the developer’s marketing
dollars. Giving information for the public to
import, index, and use allows hundreds of fan and
guild sites to form and grow. This promotes the
game without any cost to the developer other than
maintaining the feed.
Any way that a developer can keep people playing
the game rather than maintaining a website is a best
practice all MMO companies should encourage.
Making in-game information readily available to
outside sources will help promote and encourage
communities to be involved in that title.
4. Guild Branding
In a somewhat baffling turn of events, many new
Additionally, alliances can be used to overcome MMOs are turning away from allowing guilds to
the hurdles of small guild size restrictions for large set a guild brand. In older MMOs, guilds were
gaming communities. First and foremost, you able to design a guild emblem or marking that
cannot have a social experience without allowing could be used in game. This allowed guilds instant
people to communicate. Developers may say “but recognition in towns and on the battlefield.
we have zone chat for that, right?” Yes, but let’s Developer need to realize that guilds are like
think about what Facebook would be like without brands. Imagine if every cola drink just came in a
the friend feature. Imagine how well we could clear bottle. How would we separate them? How
communicate if everything that everyone said would we decide we like one over the other, or
was on the homepage. Think about what would identify which one is which? We couldn’t. A MMO
happen if there were no profile pages or friend that does not allow guild brands means that people
requests. It would be pure chaos. The pairing of throughout the game will be able to find different
like-minded individuals is a powerful part of why guilds, recognize what they represent and find the
social networks work the way they do. Ignoring group that best meets their needs. Guilds will find
this essential element in an MMO is catastrophic. it much more difficult to recruit and promote their
guild.
Guild branding is about building a legacy within
a graphical representation of your community.
When you decide to buy Nike over Pro Wing or
This one is something that has baffled me. In Dark
Coke over Safeway Select, you are making a choice
Age of Camelot they had externally available XML
based on a brand. You know what to expect when
data feeds of stats for every guild and every player
encountering this brand. Branding is about giving
in the game. When Warhammer Online came
people a feeling to associate with your product.
around, they merely displayed the guild roster and
Whether it’s a memory or a way of life, branding
vital information on a website. World of Warcraft
is powerful. When people in Warhammer Online
also had public facing guild information readily
saw the Gaiscioch Griffon, they knew who we were,
available on their website. By the time RIFT
3. Guild API and Guild Site
Connectivity
39
and participate in the community. These features
are important, whether it’s a simple “First on the
server / First in the world” system like RIFT or a
full-fledged guild questing system and rewards
tree. These concepts are not only sought after by
players but also used in promoting a community.
A guild brand gives a sense of pride and belonging Any way that a developer can allow guilds to show
to a player. It also acts as a beacon for what a group pride in their accomplishments will go a long way
stands for. Overlooking this is one of the crucial to keeping those guilds involved in game. This
underestimations of guild marketing needs, and keeps guilds and players feeling accepted and
it drastically affects the success of communities connected to the game community as a whole.
within a game.
what we did, what we were capable of doing. This
however was lost in the latest wave of games like
RIFT and Elder Scrolls Online which has made
identifying one guild or another increasingly more
difficult.
5. Guild Recognition, Rewards
and Achievements
6. Group Finder / Public Groups
I never really thought about this one much until
I played Warhammer Online. In Dark Age of
Camelot, Gaiscioch used battlegroups to organize
several smaller groups together. However, most of
the time, this required a player to step up and form
the groups themselves.
From the moment we’re born to the moment we
die, there is one thing we all want. Acceptance.
Achievements, goals, and accomplishments drive
us as human beings. They make us feel important
and included in the bigger picture. Whether it’s
membership in a family or a country, recognition In Warhammer Online, they blew the lid
of one’s achievements drastically improves their completely off with their Public Group system and
made grouping incredibly easy. A leader just had
loyalty toward the recognizing party.
to mark their group as ‘public’, and anyone in the
In a business, it is common practice to recognize area could pull up a list of public groups and join
employees and teams that overachieve and meet them. A leader could even mark if the group needed
their goals. This can be applied to gaming as a healer or tank. While we had it, we overlooked
well. Players naturally want to be recognized, as its importance. Unfortunately, we have seen this
do communities. Every guild system added to a magnificent creation disappear from gaming. It is
game should have some form of recognition and the one feature that I feel could help make MMOs a
social experience once again. It also allows groups
achievement structure for guilds to push for.
to grow and shrink as players log on and off for the
You want to encourage guild members to contribute day, and this saves a lot of time for an event leader.
#6: Warhammer Online’s Open
Parties and Warband window
allowed players just logging in
to instantly jump into the action
with a simple click of the join
button.
Leaders could specify if they
wanted an open party or a
private one. This also allowed
players to see who’s leading on
the battlefield at a glance.
40
7. Ability to set 10 Guild Ranks
This one may seem silly. The reason why requires
us to look at times past. In the past three games,
I’ve explained this to developers, and once they
understood the reasoning, they were quick to
expand their guild ranks.
icons above certain NPC’s heads to allow them to
target them specifically across a larger group.
9. Custom Linkable Map Markers
This is something many don’t think about, and it
is one of the most overlooked features in a game.
Most classic MMORPGs featured a 10 guild rank Being able to shift-click to print a location in chat
roster. Gaming communities with a long history can be extremely useful for helping a new player
and proven track record developed an internal find something they’re looking for, for giving
10 rank guild setup. If a game launches with a 5 rally points for raiding events and for setting up
guild rank system, a guild with a pre-established ambushes in PvP. Being able to point at a part
ranking system has to eliminate 5 ranks from their of the map and allow any player who clicks on it
roster. This would require some players to take a to see where you’re talking about is a huge aid in
organizing events and guiding players to where
demotion to play a game with their guild.
they need to go.
No one likes a demotion. It puts a negative taste
in the player’s mouth about the game before they
even get a chance to know it. Starting a player 10. Group Assist
experience on a negative can quickly balloon into One of the most forgotten features in modern
an overall negative experience. I have witnessed MMOs is the ability to assign another player as
players quit a game because they would have to a group assist or assistant leader. A group assist
take a demotion to be part of the guild within it. can invite, kick and move members within a
A game developer should avoid friction like this at group. This allows the leader to focus on leading
the overall event while his or her assistants keep
all costs.
the group organized. Events move more smoothly
with this feature, and guilds really don’t know how
important it is until they’ve played a game that
has the feature then switch to another game that
doesn’t include it. It’s like going from power door
locks to manual door locks on a car. You really
don’t expect how annoying it is to be without it
until it’s suddenly not there.
Supporting Guilds Supports the
Game
8. Ability to Mark a Target or
Player
Oftentimes, when leading large scale events,
leaders may be coordinating several groups at one
time. Some games are kind enough to provide a
“Group Leader” icon, but few allow leaders to
mark a player with an icon that shows above their
head signifying they are the leader of the raid.
When leading events that span several groups of
people, this is critically important. It helps players
stay organized and allows them to follow the right
person when multiple groups cross paths.
Ensuring these 10 items make it into a game
solidifies its longevity and well-being. First and
foremost, remember that MMOs are a social
experience. It’s a way for people who play games
to meet other like-minded people and forge new
relationships together both in the game and real
life. Developers are not just creating a game, they
are building a social network whether they realize
it or not. Any tools these developers can give to
players to make it easier to connect will benefit the
game and encourage players to continue playing
it. Focus on bringing people together and allow
them to build memories.
In addition, the ideal system allow players to place
41
Chapter 5
42
43
Cyrodiil AvA Tactics: The Basics
By: Caitlin “Kaytlin” Martin
E
lder Scrolls Online will expose many players to forms of combat that have, in the
past, been more appropriate with real life situations than in a mmo. Real life
combat tactics will actually come into play for many people who have never had
the need or desire to learn them in this MMO. One such tactic is the ambush.
Ambushes
Tactical ambushes will be effective and will most
likely see widespread execution across the Cyrodiil
landscape. In fact, the landscape of Cyrodiil lends
itself to this type of combat quite well. The terrain
is varied, with many places for opposing teams to
hide in wait for their opponents. These potential
sites provide cover and concealment as well as
concentrated fire zones. A well-executed ambush
is not only devastating to your opponent’s morale,
but their numbers as well. An ambush should be
planned well in advance and is not something that
just happens. For it to be effective it must meet
several criteria.
1.
44
The enemy must be put in a position that
funnels them into a narrow “killing zone”. This
killing zone is one in which the enemy has few
options for escape. It limits their response, and
allows a rapid escape for the “good guys.”
2.
There should be a crossfire that puts a
maximum amount of damage into a narrow
focused area in order to put your enemy down as
quickly as possible. It restricts their escape, and
prevents them from making a counterattack.
3. A good ambush allows for maximum cover and
concealment to minimize the chance of damage to
your own team.
4.
Advance planning will enable the field
commander to know where the enemy access
points are. Where do they travel, when are they
likely to travel, etc.
5. An ambush that occurs after dark is especially
disorienting to the victims as their vision is
limited, and makes counterattacking difficult if
not impossible.
6. Placing your team on high ground also makes
it more difficult for the opposing team to reach
your team in an attempt to flee the killing zone.
7. Even the best plans sometimes go astray for
any number of reasons. Plan an escape route for
your team if something goes wrong. Better to
run away and fight again, than to lay is some field
eating dirt!
sites in order to save you a lot of time randomly
exploring the landscape. The illustration below
shows one such potential site that I identified
using the map.
Here are some examples to illustrate what to look
for when setting up your ambush points.
Figure 2 Map Use to Scout Potential Ambush Site
Figure 1 Potential Ambush Site
This site illustrates several of the points we
have been discussing.
This site allows the
attackers a height advantage over their enemy.
It provides almost no access to the enemy to
rush their attackers, and provides both cover and
concealment for the attacking force. Additionally
this site provides an additional advantage to the
attacking force: The water in the valley slows the
enemy and keeps them in the “killing zone” for an
extended time frame. If the gate in the distance is
controlled by your team it would be even better for
you could close the gate behind the enemy when
you spring your ambush, allowing them only one
avenue of escape. Unfortunately this site would
not work, for the gate in the distance goes nowhere,
but it is a good example to illustrate the ideal.
Cyrodiil is a large battleground that takes over 30
minutes to run across from border to border. As a
commander who is seeking potential ambush sites
you should be using your map to locate potential
This illustration taken from Cyrodiil shows a
promising ambush site location. The trail between
the two “X’s” is our potential site. It provides a
limited access through mountainous terrain. It
parallels a well-traveled road that leads both to
a Keep and a Gate. It also leads to a town that
provides quests to all factions, which is also an
advantage. In order for you as a commander to
know if this potential site will really work out as an
ambush site, you will need to perform an actual inperson field recon of the area. The map provides
us some information, but not enough to make an
informed decision.
Figure 3 Entrance to the potential site from the South
When I first came up on the area from the south
I was immediately encouraged by what I saw.
45
Steep sides, with a narrow path up the center just
as the map seemed to indicate. There is plenty of
potential cover and concealment among the rock
formations on either side. The pathway in real life
would show the path is well traveled. Unfortunately
we cannot confirm this in the game. We will have to
scout this location during peak periods of combat
to see if the path is used by actual players. What I
would be looking for as I progressed up this trail
was potential hiding places that provides cover
and concealment for my team, and limits to the
response routes for the enemy team.
Figure 5 shows the actual killing zone of this ambush site.
Figure 5 is a view of the actual killing zone of the
ambush. I am shown standing on the same rock
as in figure 4. You can see that there is little access
to the ambushers. On the other side of the trail
similar protection is offered to team members who
would be stationed there.
The site is not perfect, for the perfect ambush site
is so far still a dream. The figure below illustrates
one minor problem area.
Figure 4 Limited access to upper level prevent direct frontal
melee attacks
Figure 4 shows how the terrain in this site limits
access to the ambushing squad. Here I am
standing in an area that potential melee counter
attackers could access in a relatively short time
frame. Unfortunately for them, they cannot get
any higher. I confirmed this with my site recon.
Ambushers on the level above can rain ranged
attacks on them without fear of melee response.
The actual ambush site is farther below which
keeps the enemy in the killing zone even longer,
since access to this point is not an easy task as you
can see in the next screenshot. So make sure when
you are scouting to try and access the areas your
team will be stationed in from the killing zone
from several directions to make sure your team
will be secure.
46
Figure 6 Potential counterattack avenue of approach
Here you can see a potential avenue for the
opponent to scramble up the slope towards our
attackers. The path directly over my head is the
avenue of approach. You will notice it is a fairly
narrow access point. By concentrating fire on this
point with a few people you should be able to take
down anyone attempting this route quite easily.
AOE traps, etc. would be great placed in this area.
In real life the steepness of the terrain here would
also hamper the opponent’s access to the attacking
team, but this is not something that has been
implemented by the designers.
Our escape route for this site would be to the north
past the ruins near the top of the ambush site
towards the gate shown in red on the map. Access
is readily available to both sides of the ambush
towards the gate.
So it would seem this is indeed a good site to
establish an ambush. We would certainly want to
scout this area to make sure it is actually being used
by our opponents as I mentioned previously, but I
think you can see what we are looking for when
selecting the site. This site shows great potential
and went into my notebook for future reference/
use.
If we decided to utilize this as an actual ambush
site we would want to have between 10-15 people
on each side of the path with ranged weapons. We
would station two people at the beginning and end
of the killing zone. Once the ambush is sprung we
would want to drop ballista at the start of the trail
and end of the trail to take care of any who try
to escape using those routes (See accompanying
screenshots for several possible placements).
The second person at the trails ends would be for
protection of the siege operators. In real life we
would have used claymore anti-personnel mines to
protect these ends, but since they aren’t available
in Cyrodiil we will have to make do.
Good communication with your team members
is also vital. Make sure each and every member
of your ambush team knows what their position
is, what their job is, what the signal to initiate
the ambush is, and what the signal to (escape or
“boogie out of dodge is.”) Never assume they know
for it never fails, someone will go “I didn’t know.”
Another thing that is vitally important in an
ambush site is discipline at the site. Everyone must
stay hidden in a crouching position so as not to give
away the ambush site prematurely. The last thing
you want to happen is to give away your element
of surprise. The waiting game in an ambush is
tough. It separates a good team from a bad team.
The good team is patient, and disciplined. They
look forward to catching their enemy by surprise.
The element of surprise is vital for a successful
ambush as the enemy freezes momentarily right
where you want them, in the “killing zone” at the
moment the ambush is sprung. This is human
nature, the brain “farts” for lack of a better word
when faced with a surprise. The longer they stay
there confused and dazed, in the KZ, the better for
your team and the worse for them. It allows your
concentrated fire to have more effect, and it allows
you to set up siege at the entrance and exit of the
ambush site increasing the chance for total victory
and devastation of your opponent.
When stationing yourself in a potential ambush
site you should also make use of good cover
and concealment. Good cover provides both
concealment and cover, but good concealment
does not necessarily provide good cover.
Here are two examples to illustrate this point.
Figure 7 Great example of Concealment
In Figure 7 I am effectively concealed from my
opponents view. It would take a keen eye to
spot my character unless you knew where I was.
Another example of concealment not illustrated is
to simply crouch in position. Your enemy cannot
see you when you are crouched.
There is a problem with good concealment though,
it provides no protection from enemy fire. You are
completely vulnerable to enemy fire even though
you might not be seen. Arrows penetrate leaves
quite easily.
47
Figure 10 Ambush Entrance Placement Example
Figure 8 Example of good Cover
Figure 8 illustrates the concept of cover.
Unfortunately I had to take this screen shot from
the rear as I was unable to get a good shot from
the front due to my proximity to the tree. This is
the same tree as shown in figure 7. Cover protects
you from enemy fire, and often time protects you
from enemy view as well. The only thing that
appears from the front view of this tree is the ends
of my bow, which for all intents appear as small
branches.
I mentioned placement of siege engines in the
ambush site earlier. Here are several examples of
potential siege placements at the ambush site.
Siege placement could also include “meat bag”
catapults to poison your enemies in the killing
zone.
Ok, so you have now planned, scouted, and set
up your ambush. You wait for your opponent to
show up, and spring the ambush. But suddenly
something goes wrong and the enemy is escaping
your ambush. Don’t wait for them to regroup, give
the signal to withdraw and have your team leave
the area as quickly as possible via your escape
route. Waiting around can get you all killed and
negate any gains you made.
Knowing how to plan, scout, set-up, and execute
an effective ambush are skills every commander
should be intimately familiar with. Not only to
ensure the destruction of the enemy, but to be able
to know what terrain features on the map to avoid.
If you know where to set one up, you will also know
what areas to avoid!
If you do get caught in an ambush the main thing
you have to do is to “get out of the killing zone”
ASAP! If you stay in the KZ you will die, can’t
put it any simpler. Marines are taught to turn
and advance towards the attackers as quickly as
possible if caught in an ambush, but avoidance
is a far better option. It doesn’t matter which
direction, just get your feet moving as quickly as
possible towards your attackers. You might make
them duck, or move which might just give you
enough time to get them.
Figure 9 Ambush Exit Ballista Placement Example
48
Pay attention to the terrain, know what potential
sites look like, and take steps to avoid those areas.
Now that you know what to look for you should
not have any problems. If you do get caught in a
well laid out and executed ambush, shame, shame,
shame.
49
Exploring Bleakrock Isle
By: Lisa “Prissy” Grant
H
while he sorts out what is going on. Is he nuts? I
have to do this alone without help? Easy for him
to say. The Prophet’s ghostly form is now gone; he
went to find a safe place for us to meet, leaving me
utterly alone. I have ragged and unclean clothes
on (hope no one takes a deep breath), no shoes; I
Who brought me back and why? Where am I? am only armed with the weapons I picked up while
What am I supposed to do? Who are all these rescuing the Prophet, and I am not very good at
people around me? Who the heck is the Prophet using them. I simply want to go back to bed, cover
and what does he have to do with me? Why is he my head up, and hope this nightmare ends soon.
calling me a vestige? Skyshards, dark anchors, no What is one person suppose to do? Why me?!
soul, lions, tigers, and bears...Oh My! Wait, is this
a dream or a nightmare? Come on Prissy, wake up! I am afraid to open the door and see what is out
there; I am afraid it will look like my nightmare.
As I open my eyes I realize that it was no dream; it But I cannot stand here forever! I have to just turn
was a nightmare. I did die, but I am now alive. The the doorknob and get moving, exploring, meeting
Prophet, who I rescued in my dream, is standing new people (both good and bad), figure out who
in front of me once again in ghostly form. I am in took my soul and take it back, take my revenge.
a building somewhere; there are sounds coming Mmmm I like the sound of that.
from outside, and the scent does not smell like
home. The Prophet is alive, but he is somewhere I have several choices to make, stay in Davon’s
else in this land. He is once again talking to me Watch or go help the people who pulled me from
in my mind, which I think I am slowly losing. He the water. As I step out of the house I see a man by
says I am to go explore this world, meet and help the well; I decide to talk to him. His name is Riurik;
the people who rescued me, and make new friends he suggests that I go talk to Liezl because she would
i. I am Prissy, the directionally challenged
explorer. I have been killed and my soul
has been taken. No, wait, I am alive! I
have somehow been brought back to life without
a soul.
50
be able to tell me about the people who brought
me here. I found Liezl at the docks, and she took
me by boat to an island called Bleakrock. I found
myself on the docks of this island slightly seasick,
and with the instructions to find Captain Rana. The
excitement of exploring is now overriding my fear
of the unknown. The great adventure has begun.
Beware world, Prissy is on the loose!
I found Captain Rana in her office issuing a lot
of orders to people. She looks haggard, as if the
weight of the world is on her shoulder. I listen
to her concerns; she is looking for some missing
people, and she is trying to decide whether to
flee the island or stay. I offer to help look for the
missing people to fulfil my newfound hunger for
exploration and adventure. I am told to find Darg
at the Skyshroud Barrow, Rolunda and Eiman
at the Orkey’s Hollow, and Sergeant Seyne at
Hozzin’s Folly. I must get them back to town and
report to Captain Rana. I have my orders and a
sense of purpose, I am feeling human again.
I have gone east as far as I can go so let’s go north.
The island population of wolves is decreasing
to help with my new set of clothes. There are
butterflies and globugs that a local told me was
used in fishing. Yumm, fried fish. I just spotted
someone running towards me. I can not tell if it
is friend or foe. Prepare for battle! Ok false alert
he is one of the missing people I am to find so I
must be close to Skyshroud Barrow. I found Darj
and he is hurt and wants to know if I am good with
my weapons. Is he nuts? So I lied and said, “Yes
how can I help you?” He wants me to summon
the Dragon Priest and help him, since they are
desecrating his tomb. So ok here we go again.
Watch out for the skeletons, they are very angry
and hurt alot when attacked. I died several times
trying to get this done. Maybe next time I will not
lie and say I am good with these weapons. Mission
accomplished the tomb is now safe, though after
the Dragon Priest called me a worm I think the
bad guys can have his tomb back. One thing I did
notice is a skyshard located in front of the tomb.
I remember the Prophet said to collect all that I
could find. Darj has now been sent back to Captain
Rana.
After exiting Captain Rana’s office I have no idea
which direction to go. So I shut my eyes, spin around
and go the direction I am facing. When I open my
eyes the rising sun blinds me momentarily, and I
realize I will be heading east; it is good to see the
bright sun after the horror of the last few days. And
so I begin my journey to gather the missing people
by walking through the east opening of the village
wall; at that moment I notice a lot of flowers, iron
ore, and shiny things called runes. I immediately
decide to collect them all. I also wonder about all
the things I could make with them; it would be
great if I could make some new clothes, weapons,
and food to support myself. I will have to check
with Captain Rana when I get back. But, I also see
a lot of wolves that I must kill before they kill me. Ok, back to finding the other missing people. I
Ouch!!! That wolf tore a hole in my clothes; I hope can still go north so off I go. I smell smoke from
a campfire, bandits! I just killed one and he had a
his hide can help make me new ones.
note on him. I now need to burn their supplies and
Look there is a man in front of that tent, I wonder if rescue the captive. I have a torch and I have burned
he is one of the missing people. This man is in bad the supplies, now to find the captive. Of course, he
shape and his name is Hoknir, and he is missing can not be up by the supplies. Oh no, he is all the
a foot because something called Deathclaw ate it. way in the back and I had to fight my way back to
Why only his foot and why is the thing not dead? him. He is now on his way back to Captain Rana
Now he wants me to kill it. Do I look like a mighty and his name is Bjorynoff. This will make 5 people
hunter and why is he out here? I think Captain rescued. Rescuing all these people is helping me to
Rana is missing more than the three she sent become familiar with my weapons again.
me after. Hoknir makes four. Deathclaw is dead
and there is nothing in his cave - no trace of the From the camp I can see an island to the northwest,
think I will head there. The water is cold here, full
missing foot.
51
of chunks of ice. I can see bears on the island and
see a light flickering in a cave. Guess I will head
for the cave and hope there are no bears. No bears
just Rolunda. She is upset because her brother
went into the cave and has not returned. She keeps
talking about a Frozen Man and missing people
and that this place is called Orkey’s Hollow. Before
I went in I collected the skyshard in front of the
cave. I have rescued Rolunda’s brother, Eiman,
from Orkey’s Hollow. The Frozen Man knew I had
no soul and offered me his which was black and
gooey. I declined. I think I am better off the way I
am now. Rolunda and Eiman are now on their way
to Captain Rana.
the mine. I found a skyshard in the middle of the
mine and at the end of the mine discovered what
was going one. Mission accomplished. Sergeant
Seyne is on her way back to Captain Rana.
Not much else on the coastline, I am going to
head south now still looking for Sergeant Seyne
at a place called Hozzin’s Folly. I see a dead
body in the road and someone is standing by the
body. I approach carefully to see who it is. Thank
goodness the dead body is not Sergent Seyne, but
a bandit that she killed. She has a mission for me
to take the clothes off the dead guy, put them on
as a disguise, collect three items from the building
below, bluff my way into the mine, and discover
what it going on. I carefully take the dead man’s
clothes and decide I would put them over mine,
since I really did not want them touching me. I am
not squeamish, just prissy. I fought my way to the
three items and then put the disguise on to enter
I returned to the town and talked to Molla and
was glad to hear that all her friends made it back
and had reported to Captain Rana. Total rescued
is now fifteen. Now time to report to Captain Rana
that all the people of Bleakrock have been found
and she can leave the island.
Still more island to explore. I think I will finish
exploring before heading back to report in. I
continued to head south. I passed the Wayshrine
that has allowed me to revive and continue my
adventure. A lady runs up to me chattering like
a squeaky squirrel and I cannot figure out what
she is saying. She shakes her head and says her
name is Molla. I can finally understand her.
Someone put a curse on her and her three friends
using a wand and turned them into skeevers (not
I finished exploring the island. Nothing else squirrels). I have to find them. Well, I am heading
here, going to head west now. Found a really nice out to continue my exploration, so I might as well
fishing camp called Paddlefloe Fishing Camp. No look for them, also. Since they are now skeevers I
one was at home but a fire was going and fish were bet they have all gone in different directions. I will
drying. It is a nice place to rest and maybe do a continue my route to the south.
little fishing. I can see land on the other side of the
I just met Halmaira. She is very upset. She cannot
water. That looks like a good direction to go.
find her husband or dog, or was it her dog and
Spiders, lots of spiders, spitting poison and webs. husband. They went fishing and have not returned.
The hair on the back of my neck is standing straight She gave me a dog whistle to call the dog. I am
up. Must I go that way? I shudder and take a deep heading to the barn to see what I can see and use
breath. Here I go. As I round the corner I see a the whistle. Wow, the dog actually came and wants
hunter’s camp and an Argonian is standing by the me to follow him. Can you guess where he is going
fire. She looks a little green under her scales. She to take me? Yep, good dog. Husband and dog safely
wants me to find her three missing friends, which home. While I was waiting for Geilund to recover
you guessed right, have been taken by the spiders from his near drowning I saw a statue across the
to their caves. Mission accomplished. All three ice flow and I went to see it. Very interesting, two
friends rescued, freed from the spiders’ cocoons. figures on top of the rock sort of looking maybe
The Argonians have their own boat waiting for like dwarfs. Halmaira and family sent to Captain
them so they are taking the boat and leaving the Rana. This makes eleven. Oh, found one skeever
area. My count is now up to eight people rescued and uncursed him. I also found the other two while
re-exploring the island and uncursed them.
from the island.
52
My last assignment before I leave the island is to
light the signal fire to warn Davon’s Watch of an
attack coming by sea and to prepare for a fight. I
light the signal fire and when I return to the town it
is under attack. The fires need put out and people
need to be gathered up and pointed in direction of
the tomb. Once this is done a ship is waiting for us
on the other side of the tomb. Captain Rana will
lead us all to safety.
We have landed on the shore of a little camp called
Dhalmora and here the people of Bleakrock will
rest except me. Captain Rana requests that I head
to the Dhlamora Watchtower to find kindlepitch
to light the signal fire at Bal Foyen.
not have to get the eggs. He wanted me to throw
the eggs at the Covenant soldiers in the area. I was
thinking better egg in their face instead of mine.
The only thing I have to say is I want more eggs! It
was awesome fun.
I talked to Quartermaster Urona at Fort Zoran
and she is sending me to Bal Foyen docks to see
In Dhlamora there was an Argonian crying about Quartermaster Lineem to get the kindlepitch
his children being lost. His name was Esqoo. powder and to warn her of the incoming invasion.
I stopped to offer to help seeing I am getting It was a nice walk to Bal Foyen docks. I found the
pretty good at finding lost things, well, except my missing guars and the lost argonians. All should
soul. I was surprised he was not talking about an be in Dhalmora when I return. Quartermaster
argonian child, but the beasts that carry his goods. Lineem gave me the kindlepitch powder and
Umm, guars I think he called them. I said I would showed me a shortcut to the signal fires, which
help and he gave me some stinkweed to feed them were of course guarded by Convenant guards.
when I found them. Oh good, something else to Success signal fires lit. Davon’s watch has now
make my clothes smell wonderful. I found another been warned. I see movement below me, going to
Skyshard behind the merchant hut, which is the go investigate. Nice place sort of hidden and out
highest hut in the town.
of the way, a good place to land and hide enemy
troops. I also found another Skyshard on a boat in
Finally, made it to the watchtower, but noone was
the shipyard. Strange place for a skyshard.
there just a note saying that the kindlepitch powder
is at Fort Zoran. Had to fight my way to Fort Zoran I need to head back to Dhalmora and let them
and on my way there I found an argonian hiding know that the signal fires have been lit. I am to
in some bushes. He said his three friends were talk to Aera Earth Turner. I have two paths I can
lost in the area and if I saw them to send them take after talking to her and if I chose one the
to Dhalmora, where they will all meet up. I had other might fail. Aera can not help me make the
the way clear for him, so sent him on his way. His choice, but she can help me talk my way through
name was Wenaxi. A lot of lost and misplaced it. I now have the fate of these people on my hands
people out here. I could open a new business and and I have to make a choice. I will not tell you my
call it - Lost and Found. Just outside Fort Zoran choice. A choice was made and I will have to live
I discovered an Overlook that looks like you could with it. Let’s just say to some I am a hero and have
have a grand party on it and the view was of the been sent to Davon’s Watch to report to Holgunn.
plantation below. There is a wayshrine in Fort I shall rest a while in Davon’s Watch before I
Zoran and I also found another skyshard behind adventure out. In my short walk through Devon’s
the wayshrine.
Watch, I have found the Fighter’s guild, Mage’s
guild, Undaunted guild and many other people
Iron-claws, the Argonian, was waiting for me
needing help.
outside of Fort Zoran and wanted to know if I
would help him conduct an experiment using I shall end with this saying, “Life is full and I am
Netch eggs. It sounded intriguing so long as I did glad to be alive.”
53
Darkshade Caverns
By Christine Metz
W
e found ourselves once again
crossing paths, this time it was in
area called Deshaan, a land that
was a broad, fertile area in the southern mainland
of Morrowind which slopes down and merges with
the swamps of Black Marsh further south. Kyla
Rose had sent word to the rest through the Mages
and Fighters guild that our skills would be needed
once more by the Ebonheart Pact to investigate an
area called Darkshade Caverns. Over the course
of the next few weeks, one by one we gathered at a
small dirt village called Silent Mire.
I was the last to arrive of the group having been
gone for many months on a task that I needed to
achieve for myself in the lands of the Rift. The other
three Kyla Rose, Selrina and Pops were staying
at Seek-of-the Nights house when I arrived. We
spent the night catching up on what each one of us
had been doing over the last several months. Kyla
Rose said she had been spending much of her time
with our extended family in the north lands of
Cyrodiil fighting in the Hopesfire campaign, trying
to retake that lands that are rightfully ours by
family. Pops simply said that he had been traveling
the lands on one adventure to another not really
giving us many details, as we have come to know
our leader for the four of us. Selrina, the closest
one I know of as family, explained that she had
traveled many different lands learning the skills
54
of enchantment and increasing her knowledge of
magical weapons. For me, there is not much to tell
what I have been doing and who I have been living
with over the last few months. One just has to look
at my eyes, they could see what I had become.
We set out in late afternoon to the Selfora
Wayshrine, where we had planned to spend the
night before pushing on in the early morning
hours to Darkshade caverns.
Pops took the first watch of the night as we all lay
down for rest by the campfire just outside of the
Wayshrine. I had the feeling that there was unease
in the air, as the others ate and had mead for their
evening meal, which I did not partake of. My food
comes from a different source now and would not
be one that the others would enjoy to take part in.
But we all must choose our paths, as I did mine,
and we were happy with my choice in life. As the
morning came to a shiny bright day we found our
group on a bridge leading up to the caverns. One
would think that there was nothing amiss in this
area because of the beauty.
Upon entering the caverns, we started down a long
narrow tunnel that never seemed to end, but all
around us were eggs of some kind that seemed to
be in a state of growing or being farmed for some
use. As we rounded a turn in the cave we found
a group of Pit Rat Thugs doing just that, taking
the eggs and carrying them away for who knows
what reason. After quickly sending these thugs
to their gods above, we pushed on further into
the cave. Standing in front of us was the leader of
this group of thugs, Head Shepherd Neloren. It
turns out she is raising Kwama warriors and works
for some plan of hers and her boss, the Foreman
Lothian. Neloren had some tricks up her sleeve,
but nothing that we could not take care of as she
was finding out what made up the afterlife. Going
deeper into the tunnels we had run across various
groups of Kwama, both workers and warriors.
One could say they make a good snack to munch
on, if one likes dead bugs for breakfast. We came
out to an open area where Lothian himself liked to
hang around and tell his workers what a big shot
he is down in this cavern, or mine as to what I am
starting to believe it to be.
Foreman Lothian did not seem happy at all to see
us in his office, as one would think he would call
it. In fact he got downright nasty and the four
of us had to put him in his place after he shot us
with nasty green thingies, as Selrina came to call
them. But after running around and looking out
for each other, the Foreman was now enjoying a
very peaceful rest by the look of it.
Running up the tunnel we went through a door
that led us out into what appeared to be a very old
city that once had held many races and riches from
the land above. But now it was only home to bugs
and giant netchs that no one would want to spend
the night with, not alone their worst nightmare.
As all good things come to pass, Kyla Rose led us
into battle with these bugs of the underworld, with
Pops handling the healing, what little was needed,
as Selrina put the final spell on the Hive Lord to
bring him to an early grave of green blood and
broken shells .
As we come to a close to this simple story of four,
we find ourselves facing the final trespasser of this
cavern, the Sentinel of Rkugamz, a fearful beast
one would say or simply another bug in the light
that needed to be stepped on. When you come
across him in your group, think about your skills
as one and then as a whole because it will take the
whole of all to bring this one down to his death.
55
Elder Scrolls Online Progress Report
By: Benjamin “Foghladha” Foley
W
ith most games the first few
months set the tempo for the next
few years. To the untrained eye
the fluctuations in numbers can cause panic and
a false sense of impending doom. A lot of players
have noticed that when we launched into Elder
Scrolls Online we had over 1,300 players and
currently at the time I am writing this article we’ve
dropped to a little over 700 players.
First and foremost let me remind ourselves of a
time long past, the early days of RIFT. At launch
we had over 2,200 registered members aiming
to go full steam into RIFT. Right after the gates
opened and we realized that the Siege Warfare
promised in the game early on had been cut from
the program and if more than 50 of us gathered in
one spot we couldn’t even see each other numbers
dropped like a rock. Within the first 3 months we
dropped from 2,200 to a little over 800.
Additionally, the unbalanced emperor system
and vampire skills in AvA caused droves to call it
quits after 4 players were able to decimate 150 in
seconds.
This issue for the most part has been resolved
and ZeniMax continues to issue new patches to
lengthen the engagements and give everyone a
fair shot. Just recently we have had great fun
hunting and repeatedly killing the Emperors. A
feat previously deemed impossible.
So looking forward, the first campaign has ended
and in it’s place come several new campaign
options. We will be moving our efforts to a more
populated campaign to work on getting our family
some additional exposure.
When the new Non-Veteran Rank campaigns are
introduced we will be moving 1 event per week to
that campaign to try to serve as an introduction
Fast forward to the height of RIFT, and you’ll find to AvA and also help introduce new players to our
that we actually did find the maximum number of community.
people you could fit in a guild. Not because it gave
us a warning saying “Guild Is Full” but because by I highly encourage anyone who hasn’t tried AvA
pressing “G” you would crash your game. Trion recently to come out and experience the changes
fixed the problem and we continued to grow to that ZeniMax has made thus far.
the point that we had over 4,500 characters in the
guild roster before the XML export ability broke. There are several larger changes coming in Update
At our height a year after launch we were sitting at 2 and Update 3 including new campaigns and
more AvA refinement as well as the ability to dye
over 2,700 active members.
your armor and even a Guild Emblem system! Ok
The key to remember is that while this game may maybe I’m excited about that one. Guild branding
be for some, it may not be for all. Some people are is a huge plus.
looking for something specific, others just want
to be part of the community. The key is player In any case over the next few months I suspect
satisfaction. We want everyone to end the day we’ll see the same type of rise we saw in RIFT as
the game thins out the players that are “Trying”
with a smile on their face.
the game and builds it’s foundation on the players
Our first few months of Elder Scrolls Online have who are here to stay.
been challenging to say the least. The loss of the
Alliance system just before the final stages of beta Now it’s all up to us to show what we’re capable of
put a serious dent in our ability to communicate in front of a larger audience. It’s showtime people
across multiple guilds. This made that 500 person lets make a splash in our new campaign.
guild cap hit even harder and caused the same
thinning we saw in Guild Wars 2.
56
Elder Scrolls Online Spring Highlights
By: Jessica Hunt
Z
eniMax has made continuous efforts to improve their game and provide their
players with a smooth gaming experience. They have also released some awesome
new content lately for people who prefer to PvE and raid as well as providing
some fixes to Cyrodil to ensure a more balanced experience for players.
● Each patch fixed a variety of issues affecting
gameplay with many fixes to quests that
were blocking progress in different zones.
● Zenimax introduced the ability to view the
intro cinematic at any time. They fixed a
character creation bug that would not allow
you to zoom in on your character’s face
when you were creating your first character.
● There was a bug in guild banks and stores
for a while and many people lost items.
Zenimax provided patches to the game
and was able to fix these issues and restore
items.
● They took measures to ensure that gold
spammers and botters were not adversely
effecting the game and thanked everyone
for their patience. Part of this effort was
fixing open world dungeon boss camps by
introducing a wait time after looting a delve
or overworld boss before you are eligible
to receive loot from these types of bosses
again.
● There were Alliance vs. Alliance changes
for people who were ending up glitched and
couldn’t join the group they wanted to play
with. Fixes also included not being able to
use bolt escape with a scroll in your hand,
as well as fixing the scroll disappearing
when a vampire was in mist form.
● Zenimax also fixed some server side
issues in Cyrodil. They have made many
adjustments to the vampire and werewolf
skill lines and abilities to prevent the raid
wiping that was going on in early launch
play.
● AvA also received boosts to experience and
quests as well as help for factions that were
greatly outnumbered. Server side fixes
were made to improve overall performance
in Cyrodil.
● They fixed issues that were causing people
to freeze and crash out of the game. Mac
clients were fixed as they were having
memory leaks and keyboard issues due to
languages.
● Zenimax reduced fees for guild stores and
for mail, as well as the tax on what is sold in
guild stores. Armor repair costs were also
reduced.
● The first major content update introduces
an adventure zone. Craglorn is designed
for group adventuring for Veteran rank
players. Trials are designed to be a test of
skill for 12 player groups where you have
a limited amount of resurrections to get to
the final boss and beat them. Leaderboards
were introduced to allow people to compete
for more rewards.
● Another feature is the addition of death
recap. It was added to help players
understand what killed them and to give
them hints on how to improve.
● The chests that are in dungeons now give
loot to everyone within a group within a
50 meter radius, the amount of chests per
dungeon was reduced.
● Dark anchors now give chests to participants
upon completion.
● Added a new overhead icon for group
leaders.
● The following crafting changes were made:
Inspiration was increased per break for
most of the crafts. Provisioning was brought
in line with other crafts as far as value wise
when selling to vendors.
● Increased Veteran ranks to rank 12 and the
amount of experience gained from killing
enemies.
● Launched new community programs
focusing on guilds, lore, builds, war stories
and fanart.
The future of ESO looks bright and I look forward to many more adventures with the family!
57
Chapter 4
58
59
Exploring Queensdale
By: Herb “OldGoat” Townsend
Q
ueensdale is half of
the new Kryta. It’s
farmland provides
produce, livestock, and
other goods to Divinity’s
reach.
The kingdom is
ruled by Queen Jennah,
one of the last descendants
of King Doric. Her rule is
challenged by separatists
throughout the region.
Resource nodes:
• Copper Ore/Rich Copper
Vein
• Aspen Sapling
• Blueberry
• Button Mushrooms
• Carrots
• Herb Patch/Herb Seedlings
• Lettuce (node farm) - northmost field in Beetletun Farms
• Onions
60
Shaemoor Waypoint in the
Village of Shaemoor. Directly
south of Divinity’s reach,
Shaemoor can be reached by the
southernmost exit at the Plaza
of Dwayna. Just a bit southwest
we find the Point of Interest
Recipes:
• Eda’s Apple Pie Recipe from (POI) Trainer’s Terrace. (So
named because it’s the home of
Farmer Eda
• Ettin Stew from Veteran skill trainers.)
Krug
• Ascalonian Herbs from Landmark:
• Shaemoor Cemetery
Brother Vince
• Eggs Beetletun from Assistant
Chef Victor
We begin our journey at the
Bulk ingredients:
• Apples in Bulk from Farmer
Eda
• Nutmeg Seeds in Bulk from
Farmer Eda
Events:
• Catch rabbits and return
them to Arlo
• Prove that you know a lot
about Destiny’s Edge
• Defeat the Lady in White (In
the Cemetery)
Events:
• Defend the garrison
• Defend the gate
• Defend Shaemoor Garrison
from Tamini attackers
• Liberate Shaemoor Garrison
From here, we make a slight
detour East then South over the
bridge to Shaemoor Garrison
to find Garrison Waypoint.
Hearts:
• Assist
the
Seraph
Shaemoor Garrison
at
Vista:
• Shaemoor Garrison Vista
Once we’ve completed the
achievement and gotten the
chest, we exit back to Lake
Delavan and head northeast to
Eastern Divinity Dam.
Pet:
• Juvenile River Drake
We then follow the Dam east
until we arrive in the Shire of
Beetletun, the location of the
dungeon Caudecus’s Manor.
Beetletun Waypoint and
Carnie Jeb’s Skillpoint are
inside the village.
Back over the bridge to the north
we head northeast across Lake
Delavan to enter Beggar’s
Burrow. There are actually
two entrances to the Burrow.
The entrance accessible from
Shaemoor Cemetery is only
open during the personal story,
Infiltration. There is a Splendid
Chest available in the burrow.
There is also an Achievement,
Bad Neighborhood which is
received by fighting through the
mobs and opening the chest.
Foes:
• Bandit Cutpurse
• Bandit Highwayman
• Bandit Rifleman
• Bandit Saboteur
• Bandit Scout
• Veteran Bandit Saboteur
Pet:
• Juvenile Krytan Drakehound
Resource node:
Hearts:
• Aspen Sapling
• Assist Fisherman Will and
the fishermen of Beetletun
• Support the citizens of
Beetletun
Vista:
• Beetletun Vista –Simple
walk up and view.
61
Resource nodes:
• Copper Ore/Rich Copper
Vein (Rich vein is inside
a cave in the southwest
corner of the area. This cave
contains a veteran cave troll
Heading Southeast from here, we
also. Be careful not to use
enter the Orlaf Escarpments
the lever to close the cave just
in which we can find Cliffwatch
before you leave. The gate
Camp POI. It is rumored that
will keep you from being
inside a shelter at the Tamini
able to access the rich vein.)
camp there is a chest. I was lucky
and received a few empyreal • Aspen Sapling
fragments among other low level
items. Watch out for the Veteran Directly east of the foothills, we
Tamini Chief who may reappear find Demongrub Pits. This
while you’re admiring your find. is the location of the jumping
puzzle of the same name. It
has three chests within it, each
Resource node:
guarded by a veteran and normal
• Onions
foes - one by spiders (looks like
an egg sack), one by skelk, and
the last by oozes. The chests
guarded by spiders and skelk
are false ends to the puzzle as
the one guarded by oozes gives
a Jumping Puzzles achievement.
Events:
• Defend Tunwatch Redoubt
• Retake Tunwatch Redoubt
• Rescue the captive farmers
From the shire, we head directly
south to Beetletun Farms.
Beetletun Waterworks POI
is at the waterworks on the far
west side of the farms.
Heart:
• Aid the Beetletun farmers
Events:
• Escort Moa Trainer Kappa
and her pygmy moas to
Beetletun
• Escort the carnival caravan
to Beetletun
• Retake the farm and bring
sprinkler pieces to Clarence
• Stop the Tamini from
capturing farmers
There is an excellent guide for
this jumping puzzle at Dulfy’s
guide to the jumping puzzle
We now move south to the
Taminn Foothills, adjacent
to the Demongrub Pits.
Taminn
Foothills
contains
Bonegrinder’s Gully and
Righteous Hoofmoot POI’s.
You will also find Tamini Place
of Power Skill Challenge.
(Commune)
Directly south of the farms
we run into Salma’s Heath.
Named after Queen Salma,
who declared war on the White
Mantle in the original Guild
Wars. Here we find Tunwatch
Redoubt
Waypoint
and
Hidden Cliff Camp POI.
62
Heart:
• Unite the ettins
Event:
• Drive back Underworld
creatures by destroying
portals in Taminn Foothills
Once we’ve completed the
foothills and pits, we head due
west to Godslost Swamp.
Two waypoints, Godslost
Waypoint and Swamplost
Haven Waypoint, and two
POI’s, Deathroot Shack and
Temple of the Ages. Near the
POI, a submerged Temple of
the Ages contains a Commune
Skillpoint.
The Godslost
Swamp Vista is on the island
near the center of the swamp.
This vista is up a slope in the
center of the swamp, to go up
you need to use the roots of a
tree directly west of Deathroot
Shack POI.
and there are two POI’s Eldvin
Monastery and Holdland
Camp.
Heart:
• Help the monastery brewers,
this heart can be assisted
during the Drive Back the
Centaurs, Return Stolen Directly north of the waypoint,
Kegs, and Protect the Brew follow the crossroad west into
Heart:
the Queen’s Forest. Just off of
Shipment events.
• Help
Historian
Garrod
this road you will find Kappa’s
investigate
Godslost
Corral POI. Farther North is the
Swamp (both events below Events:
• Escort the carnival caravan Hunting Lodge POI. Ojon’s
contribute to this heart.)
Lumbermill Waypoint marks
to Beetletun
• Drive back Underworld the lumbermill to the west.
Events:
creatures by destroying
• [Group Event] Defeat the
portals in the monastery
shadow behemoth
• [Group Event] Drive back • Drive back the centaurs
before
they
steal
the
Underworld creatures by
monastery’s ale
destroying portals in the
• Return stolen kegs of ale to
swamp
Abbot Mathias
• Destroy Holdland Camp’s
Resource nodes:
weapon caches before they
• Copper Ore
amass a counter attack
• Aspen Sapling
• Gather ruined grapes from
Victoria’s vineyard
Other:
• Also A nameless book can be • Prevent the Tamini from
retaking Holdland Camp
found near Deathroot Shack
in Godslost Swamp. Reading • Protect the brew shipment
through it fully will spawn a
Resource Nodes:
Veteran Fleshreaver.
• Copper Ore
• Aspen Sapling
• Blueberry Bush
• Herb Seedlings
• Onions
Hearts:
• Assist
Laborer
Cardy
and
Ojon’s
lumbermill
(Contributing events are Stop
the Skritt Thieves, Retrieve
Stolen Logging Tools, and
Help Slim Mikhart)
• Assist Hunter Block and the
hunting lodge (Contributing
event, Hunt and Slay the
Giant Boar.)
Events:
• Help Slim Mikhart destroy
the skritt cave support (7)
• Retrieve stolen logging tools
from the skritt hideout (7)
• Stop skritt thieves from
stealing logging tools (7)
• [Group Event] Destroy the
wasp queen (9)
• Herd the pygmy moas into
the pen (9)
Vista:
•
Escort Moa Trainer Kappa
• Krytan Freeholds Vista and her pygmy moas to
Overlook the Hold. To get
Beetletun (10)
to the vista just climb the
slope west of the Krytan • [Group Event] Hunt and slay
the giant boar (10)
Waypoint.
Moving north and slightly east
from the swamp, we enter a
very busy location named the
Krytan Freeholds. There is
a waypoint, Krytan Waypoint
Pet:
• Juvenile Forest Spider (on a
hill southeast of the Hunting
Lodge heart)
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• Collect skale eggs for Events:
• Capture Heartwood Pass
Assistant Chef Victor
Camp from the Tamini
• Defend Altar Brook Trading
• [Group Event] Defeat the
Post
champion rotting ancient
Southwest
to
Windloss • Drive the Tamini from Altar
oakheart
Brook Trading Post
Delves, a small skritt cave with
• Drive back Underworld
an entrance on the northeast
creatures by destroying
side and another on the Resource nodes:
portals in the Heartwoods
southwest side. You may have • Copper Ore
• Hold Heartwood Pass Camp
already accessed the cave while • Aspen Sapling
• Blueberry Bush
completing events.
Pet:
• Juvenile Boar (between
Resources node:
the two hills north-east of
• Copper Ore
Claypool)
Resource nodes:
• Copper Ore
• Aspen Sapling
Resource nodes:
• Aspen Sapling
• Blueberry Bush
• Button Mushrooms
• Herb Seedlings
Southeast of Scaver Plateau we
find Phinney Ridge. (This
Continue southwest into Scaver area is named after James
Plateau. Scaver Waypoint Phinney, a former Design
near the center.
Further Director of ArenaNet.) It holds
southwest you’ll find Altar Phinney Waypoint.
Brook Trading Post POI.
The area has two skill challenges, Resource nodes:
Chhk the Windmill King • Copper Ore/Rich Copper
Vein
which is a fight, (watch out for
his knockback), and Earthen • Aspen Sapling
• Blueberry Bush
Magic which is a commune.
We now continue our westward
swing and enter the Township
of Claypool. The town contains
a single waypoint, Claypool
Waypoint.
Heart:
• Train with the militia
We now head west into The
Heartwoods.
Heartwood
Pass Camp Waypoint is in the Pet:
east. Head north to Greatheart • Juvenile Pig
Weald POI.
Resource nodes
• Copper Ore
Heart:
• Help the Seraph protect • Aspen Sapling
Claypool from centaurs • Blueberry Bush
(Capture Heartwood Pass
Events:
and Hold Heartwood Pass Directly west of the township
• [Group Event] Defeat the
are both contributing events is Clayent Falls, with Duran
greater earth elemental
Brother’s Docks POI .
to this heart.)
• Defend Barthol on his way to
the Old Armory
Heart:
• Help Lexi Price protect the
trade route (contributing
events are Defend Altar
Brook Trading Post, Drive
the Tamini from Altar Brook
Trading Post, and Escort
and Defend Workers.)
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Vista:
• Clayent Falls Vista (On the
east side of the house, at the
top of the ramp, there is a
wooden rafter leading from
the roof. Jump on top of the
post in front of the rafter.
Jump on the rafter and then
walk to the roof.)
Events:
• Defend the beehives from
hungry bears
• Collect grub remains for Ine
• Slay the giant fish to protect
the fishing waters
Resource nodes:
• Copper Ore/Rich
Vein
• Aspen Sapling
• Blueberry Bush
• Carrots
Copper
Going north we find ourselves
in Altar Brook Vale. We
like to take this area in a
counterclockwise
manner,
starting with Altar Brook
Crossing POI. Working our
way back, we hit the Bandit
Loot Skill Challenge.
At
this point, you can either finish
this zone, or take a detour into
Bandithaunt Caverns as
shown below. Vale Waypoint
will lead you also to Altar’s
Windings which we will get to
shortly.
Events:
• Escort the trading post
caravan to Claypool
• Defend Altar Brook Crossing
• Drive the bandits from
Curtis’s ranch
• Escort and defend workers
sent to rebuild the guard
tower
• Protect the ranchers from
bandits
Resource nodes:
• Copper Ore
• Aspen Sapling
• Blueberry Bush
• Carrots
• Herb Seedlings
Bandithaunt Caverns, not to
be confused with the Troll cave
nearby, can be reached just west
of the Bandit Loot Skill Point.
Vista:
• Altar’s
Windings
Vista
(Travel up the slope, the
vista is easily reached to the
southern bend.)
Event:
• [Group Event] Slay the
enraged cave troll (This is
the troll that is part of the
train that many people run
Vista:
daily to farm.)
• Bandithaunt Caverns Vista
In the eastern portion of the
cave, cross the bridge and Resource nodes:
head up the spiraling slope. • Copper Ore/Rich Copper
Vein
• Aspen Sapling
Events:
• Rescue Mepi’s moa herd • Button Mushrooms
from the bandit caves (4)
• [Group Event] Eliminate the After we’ve had all the fun we
can in this area, we head north
bandit lieutenant (5)
along the path into Pinion
Once we finish in the caverns we Trail. Ettins and Harpies galore
head back to Vale Waypoint and is my nickname for this trail.
start north to get to the bottom At the end of the trail, through
of the hill. Then we go south to the caves, you’ll find Erts Jug
reach the vista. Note: Directly of Power Unguent Skill
below the vista is an entrance to Challenge.
the Troll’s Cave.
Resource node:
• Copper Ore
65
• Help Farmhand Paris collect
apples for Eda’s famous pies
• Kill the huge spider in Eda’s
Orchard
• Stop the bandits from
poaching Mepi’s moas
Resource Nodes:
• Copper Ore
• Aspen Sapling
• Carrots
• Herb Seedlings
• Onions
Western Divinity Dam has
a single vista and heart and two
events.
Western Divinity
Dam Vista (This vista is pretty
straight forward. Make sure you stay
on the wooden planks)
Heart:
• Help Foreman Flannum
Continuing north we find
ourselves
in Shaemoor
Fields. I like to split this one
into two parts. The first part is
moving north on the left until we
get to Western Divinity Dam.
After completing the Dam,
head back south to Shaemoor
Fields and finish the last zone
of the map. I start with Mepi’s
Moa Ranch POI, work my
way north to Eda’s Orchard
POI and Orchard Waypoint.
I then move into Western
Divinity Dam.
Hearts:
• Help Farmer Diah
• Help Fisherman Travis and
Fisherman Justin
• Assist Farmer Eda
• Help Cassie around the moa
ranch
Events:
• Bandits have constructed a
roadblock to stop Shaemoor
traffic
66
• Drive the bandits away from
the windmill
• Kill the giant wurm tearing
up Jeb’s field
• Protect the hay bales from
bandits
• Bring blobs of toxin to
Apprentice Jameson
• Defend workers repairing
the pumping station
• Kill
the
river
drake
broodmother
• Prevent the bandits from
blowing up the water pipes
• Protect Shaemoor’s drinking
water from bandits
• Stop the bandit thief from
stealing the pumphouse
blueprints
• Clear the orchard of spiders
for Farmer Eda
• Defend Farmhand Nevin as
he transports his cocooned
friend to safety
• Defend Mepi from bandits
• Drive the rogue bull back
home, and fix any mayhem
on the way
Events:
• Drive the harpy flock from
the dam
• Stop
the
elder
earth
elemental from destroying
the dam
Resource node:
• Copper Ore
And there we have it. The entire
zone of Queensdale.
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68
69
Caudecus’s Manor Story Mode Dungeon Guide
By: Herb “OldGoat” Townsend
Welcome to Gaiscioch’s Caudecus’ Manor Story
Mode Dungeon Guide. Our goal is to put together
the absolute best dungeon guides available for
Guild Wars 2. Special thanks to Xensa, Dee,
Zababa, and Rev for their incredible support and
help getting the screenshots and refreshing my
memory for this dungeon guide. You guys are
absolutely the best.
We suggest when you’re faced with a group of mobs
that you target in the following order of priority.
1. Bombers, Grenadiers, or Saboteurs –
Area of Attack (AOE) bomb attacks can do
massive damage in a short time, so take these
baddies out first.
2. Snipers – These deal massive damage from a
distance, and are hard to avoid.
3. Fighters – These can be defeated by ganging
up on them.
4. Sergeants – Do more damage to those that
are moving first. Anti-range works best, and
the Mesmer skill Feedback is the best defense/
offense.
5. Lieutenants – Anti-range, anti-projectile.
6. Captains – Will use condition removal
The entrance to Caudecus’ Manor is in the Shire of
Beetletun in Queensdale
We enter the dungeon and immediately see
Albert, the butler. Go up the stairs and through
the doorway and hall to find the courtyard. Talk
to Captain Logan Thackeray to begin the first cut
scene. It seems that Logan fears for the Queen’s
safety. Uzolan the inventor is supposed to show off
his newest invention. After the cut scene, talk to
the guests and staff with this symbol above their
heads:
This star icon will appear above the heads of some
NPCs
70
There are three questions for each person. The
fastest way to get through this is to assign question
1, 2, and 3 to individuals and have those individuals
ask each target their one question. Eventually, the
star goes back to Logan, and you then speak to
him. That will start the fight.
Wall of Reflection and the Mesmer skill Feedback
are all valuable skills in this fight. This has been
called the most difficult fight of the dungeon, and
in fact it can be if you’re not ready for it. Gaiscioch
parties have defeated the golem with level 40
characters. You can, too. Don’t forget to loot the
first of four chests right by the stairs.
Once the golem has been defeated, follow the
sparkle trail to find the way.
Follow the little lights. There is peace and serenity
in the lights.
The trail will lead you to the Champion Door
Guard. He will refuse to open the door and then
the fight will begin.
Uzolan’s golem has two main attacks: a spinning
fire attack and a spinning rocket attack. The rocket
attack will give you no red circles to dodge out of.
You have to see the attack begin and then dodge
behind something. He will also pull you in if you
are too close and his damage can be massive if you
don’t dodge out. We have our best luck by attacking
him at range from behind the hedges and trees.
When the rocket attacks start, dodge backwards
to hide behind the bushes. Guardians’ “Wall of
Reflection” works against the rocket attack but
not the flame attack. If you keep at it and are able
to avoid damage by dodging and hiding, this fight
will last a short while. If you are unable to avoid the
rockets and the flames? It will take much longer.
The Door Guard before he attacks
71
The Door Guard can be a tough champion,
but he’s not invincible
This champion level guard has a lot of HP and
can do a lot of damage if you try to fight him toeto-toe. We like to kite him and keep hitting him
from everywhere. Tanks can jump in and out of
the fight, trying to catch him from behind. Range
damage dealers can stay on the stairs and still hit
him. If everyone keeps attacking him, he will go
down, and the door will open. Important: resist
the urge to charge through the door.
We like to have our guardian put up Wall of
Reflection right at the door as we kite the trash
mobs out. Then, keep hitting them while they’re
stuck in the door. It takes less time than having to
chase them all around the room. We are usually
able to kill all these mobs in two or three groups.
Chest number two is in this room.
That big glowing thing must surely
be the door switch
In the outer tunnel, you’ll find the lieutenant. He
can do a lot of ranged damage. Anti-projectile
defense is helpful. Mesmer’s Feedback and
Guardian’s Wall of Reflection are my favorites.
Once the lieutenant has been defeated, look
around the corner to see a lieutenant, a sergeant,
and a fighter. We like to take the fighter first, then
the sergeant. The lieutenant is the same as the
one you just killed and shouldn’t give you much
trouble. Avoid getting too close to the adjoining
room, since there are a few more mobs in there.
Once these three are finished, go after the rest.
Once all the mobs are cleared, wake Sigfast with
a cold bucket of water, and he’ll unlock the door
to the outside. Don’t forget to loot the third chest
in here.
Right next to the chest are steps leading down to
the cellar. Again, resist the urge to charge down
these stairs. Instead, we like to send a ranger or
warrior with a bow down to “call” or pull mobs
towards us and then run back up into the room.
The rest of us then join the fight. Sometimes, our
ranger doesn’t get back to the top of the stairs, and
we then fight the mobs on the stairs. Be careful not
to go down the stairs too far, since you can aggro
another group of bad guys if you get too close.
Again, once the first group is done, bring some
more enemies back. We usually can get them all
in two or three attacks. Once they’re dispatched,
we find a small group by a door in the cellar that
includes Uzolan. He runs off as we defeat the
guards. Once they’re down, there is a switch to
open the door to the outer tunnels.
72
Heading towards the last tunnel
Outside, we have an enemy group immediately
past the door. Use the range and draw method to
bring them inside, and then finish them quickly.
Once they’re gone, clear the two groups of hounds
controlled by a lieutenant each. Again, hit them
at range and draw them to your location to keep
from having to fight them both. Beware the group
of mobs in the trees and stay far enough away to
keep them out of the fight. This is one of the spots
where it is very easy for the party to wipe out if you
rush in. You can take care of them after the dog
packs are gone.
We usually move into the trees on the left and
take out the bombers and snipers we can see first.
Enemy fighters will attack, and they will be easily
dispatched. Once the ground is clear, work up the
ramp going around the tree and kill everything in
your path. At the top there will be a lieutenant.
The mobs in this group are normal with lower
HP. You should be able to take everyone. If you’re
lower level, use the range and draw method on the
fighters while staying out of sight of the snipers.
Once this group is cleared, release Mia Kindleshot
from the cage, and she’ll tell you where to find the
Queen. On your way to the final battle, don’t miss
the chest in the field.
most of the dungeons I’ve run, this fight is an anticlimactic battle. You do want to be careful with
the sergeant whose range attacks do more damage
when you’re moving, and Captain DeLana who
can cause temporary blindness with the ranged
attacks.
And that’s the dungeon we call Caudecus’s manor.
Once the Queen has been saved, you have a few
minutes for a photo shoot and then move on to
your next adventure.
Congratulations! You rescued the Queen!
Poor Mia Kindleshot looks pretty
cramped in that cage
At the top of the valley, you’ll find Queen Jennah
inside a protective bubble. Captain DeLana, a
sergeant, and two fighters are trying to figure out
how to get her out. We usually take out the fighters,
the sergeant and then finally the Captain. As in
73
How to Lead
a Group in a Dungeon
By: Herb “OldGoat” Townsend
W
e’ve all heard the complaints.
Someone used a pick-up
group (PUG) for Twilight
Arbor, and it was a horrible experience.
Someone felt completely lost during a
speed run and eventually got booted from
the party. The party leader expected someone to know the dungeon and wasn’t very
patient when that person acted confused.
These kind of dungeon runs are no fun.
Why are we playing when it’s not fun?
When I lead a party through a dungeon, I have a
few very important rules.
74
1. It has to be fun. If my party isn’t having
fun, I’m either too serious or haven’t been
explaining everyone’s “job” well enough. GW2
dungeons all have times where teamwork is
required. If someone doesn’t feel like part of
the team, I’m not leading correctly. If someone feels picked on, rushed, or even not valued, it’s probably not a good time for them.
2. Everything’s better with Voice. Typing
takes time and fingers away from the battle. Speaking can be done while still fighting,
casting spells, healing, etc. Even if some of the
party don’t have microphones, it’s much easier for us all if the leader can talk to us. Plus,
it’s more fun. Raidcall is free, and we can help
you get set up in just a few minutes.
3. Whoever is driving should know the
dungeon pretty well. Now, this doesn’t
necessarily mean that the I as a leader need
to have every step memorized, but I should
be somewhat familiar with it. It’s okay to use
external resources like GW2 Wiki or another dungeon guide to help jog the memory.
I would not suggest anyone lead a dungeon
without having been through it a few times as
a party member.
4. Give clear instructions. This means just
what it says. The leader, or whoever that
leader has designated for that boss or activity, should give clear instructions to describe
each task. If there are red circles that become
spike traps, say so. Don’t just say “watch out
for the red circles.” Say “the red circles are
spike traps, you can avoid them by timing
your run or finding some other way to get by
them.” Don’t say, “okay when I start this fight,
somebody go after the Golem.” Try instead, “I
need a volunteer who wants to kite the golem
and keep him away from us while we kill the
engineer.”
5. Ask for suggestions from the party. Yes,
I just said that. It’s way more fun for everyone
to feel involved in the planning stage of each
fight. Asking for suggestions makes it OUR
DUNGEON. That will add to the satisfaction
factor at the end.
6. POSITIVE FEEDBACK. I don’t mean the
“good job” we say almost automatically, I
mean the “wow Goat, you really nailed that
troll at the end. Nice!” Or maybe, “Wow you
guys really pulled me out of the fire that time.
Thanks.” Make it sincere and look for reasons
to pass out the compliments.
The key is fun.
7. Stay until it’s over. Nothing is more frustrating than having to wait for someone over
and over again. Now, I’m not saying it’s not
okay to give short breaks during a dungeon.
I’m just saying make sure you don’t leave
people hanging around waiting for you to get
back.
8. Plan. Yes, plan. Look at your party. Do you
have a guardian? Warrior? Elementalist? Who
will be needed for what task? If anyone has to
change characters before starting, it should be
the leader first. I’m not saying you need put
together a perfect group. I prefer to run with
what I’ve got and make my plan based on the
party makeup. Just be prepared.
9. Speed runs are like having a job. I don’t
really do well in speed runs. They remind me
too much of being at work: “Hurry up and
get it done.” No time for chit chat, kill it and
move on. I’ve had bosses like that. Don’t be
that “leader.” Be the one who takes the time to
cause rule number 1 to be followed.
10. Be careful what you say. We don’t
really know each other as well online as if we
saw each other face to face. In a dungeon, we
know each other by voice or in-game chat.
It’s important to remember we all come from
different places. Stay away from the deadly
conversation topics: politics, religion, and
anything else that might cause hurt feelings.
And there you have my rules for a successful, fun
dungeon experience. Remember, you’re an adventure leader, not a “boss.” Don’t bark orders.
Get agreement before the plan is put into action.
LISTEN to your group. I’ve learned a lot of my
“tricks of the trade” by listening to everyone in
the party. A few times, listening to my teammate
has saved me from an embarrassing wipe.
If it’s not fun,
it’s not worth doing!
75
The Manor
By Herb “OldGoat” Townsend
ranger had no place left to go and no money
left to get there. Dressed in his worn battlecoat,
dusty breeches, and ancient boots, he watched as
Precious, his tiny kitten, wandered around on the
floor, picking up scraps that other patrons had
dropped from their supper plates. Harry worried
he would be unable to provide for his companion.
As he sat staring at the paper, his drink
appeared at his side and he said, “Thank you, keep
the change, sweetie.”
Picking at a loose hair on his worn, stained
jacket, the ranger picked up the glass and suddenly
felt someone scratching that perfect place behind
his ears. He closed his eyes and sighed. A familiar
voice in his ear said, “Why so glum?”
Harry immediately realized who the voice
belonged to and he stood up, grinned, and turned
to embrace Terri Watson. Precious jumped on the
table and joined the hug, meowing her welcome.
Terri, dressed in a beautiful gold silk gown,
picked up the kitten and nuzzled her. “Hi there
Precious, how have you been?”
H
arry sat in the Dead End Bar nursing
his drink. It was Saturday night and
the room was packed with regulars,
the commoners of Divinity’s Reach. Working class
beer drinkers, sometimes a bit rowdy, always loud,
it was his kind of place. The floor was covered with
sand, as much for the dancers as to soak up the
spills, and the bar smelled as comfortable as well
aged beer. As the waitress walked by, he gruffly
asked her for another, dropping his last coin on
her tray.
Sitting down in the chair next to Harry, Terri
nodded toward the stage, put her finger to her lips,
and turned to watch the singer. Harry sat back
down and turned his attention to the stage.
The lights went down as a rough bluesy sound
touched their ears and the spotlight illuminated
the singer as she walked to the center of the small
dais. Harry’s surprised look made Terri smile
again. On the stage was Maggatha Lynne, her dress
a deep, blood red, slit to the hip. Harry noticed it
went perfectly with her hair. As the crowd quieted,
she began to sing “Caught in Scarlett’s Rain.”
Her voice’s pure emotion filled the hushed room.
He was almost relieved he couldn’t get drunk
The song, a raw melancholy piece described the
tonight. In his hand was the crumpled eviction
destruction of Lion’s Arch by Scarlett’s evil as
notice from his landlord. He had quietly spent
seen through the eyes of a young woman who lost
the evening waiting for inspiration. The Charr
76
everything, including the man she loved.
When the song was over, the room erupted
with wild applause and cheers. Maggie smiled
at the crowd and began her next number. This
song talked about being madly in love and fearing
it would end. By the time she finished, even the
rough-and-tumble Harry was wiping tears from
his eyes. As the evening wore on, Harry forgot his
troubles and allowed the music to fill him. After her
final song, Maggie came to their table, hugged him
and head butted with the kitten. She then turned
to Terri, and with a sparkle in her eye asked, “Well,
how’d I do?”
“You had old scruffy here crying,” Terri replied,
tipping her head towards the Charr.
is usually a good judge of character, Logan. You
must have caught her on a bad day.”
Bones slapped Logan on the back, nearly
knocking him out of the chair. The Captain coughed
as he worked to catch his breath again. The blond
Norn pulled up a chair of his own and looking at
Maggie shook his head, “Such a big beautiful voice
from such a tiny little girl.”
“Don’t make me hurt you.” Maggie grinned
with a sparkle in her eye, as she stood and hugged
the giant.
Terri joined in and it was obvious to the entire
room that the three shared a bond. Precious, not
to be outdone, jumped on the Norn’s lap when he
sat and began to rub against his chest, claiming
Harry blurted out, “I didn’t know you could ownership. Harry reached across the table and
sing like that. That was amazing!”
grabbed the big hand with his paw. Logan sat
“Oh, I’m not all that,” Maggie said as a rosy quietly observing, noticing how close they all were.
color flushed across her cheeks.
Suddenly an unmistakable voice came from
“The heck you’re not,” Terri grabbed her and
kissed her soundly, silencing any further modesty.
Then, taking advantage of the band, Terri took her
out on the dance floor.
behind, “Hey Bookahs, how’re my favorite
adventurers doing?”
“Mellen!” they all shouted in unison.
And just like that, they were all together again.
Bones retold the story of their adventure in the
Ascalonian Catacombs. Laughter filled the room as
he recalled his own foolishness and the subsequent
rescue by the group. Onlookers gathered round
and heard the entire story, including Maggie’s
fierce defense of them all against the king. Finally
standing, and with a tear running down his cheek,
he toasted to her courage and leadership.
By the time the girls got back to the table,
someone had bought the three of them a round
of drinks. Looking around, Maggie spotted the
culprit at the bar. Logan Thackeray was watching
them. Dressed in his common clothes, he looked
strangely out of place without his uniform. She
waved him over to their table. He picked up his
drink and then tripped over the kitten who wound
between his legs. He dropped into the chair Harry
“Litt storesøster, I pledge to you my life. I will
kicked out for him. Precious took an immediate follow you anywhere, you have only to ask.”
dislike to Logan and hissed at the hand reaching
Just as quickly he fell back into his chair, nearly
down to pet her. Logan yelped suddenly as a claw
toppling over as the legs threatened to buckle..
drew blood, and the pet scampered away behind
“You’re drunk,” accused a booming female
Harry.
voice.
A booming Norn voice startled them, “Precious
77
“Of course I am drunk. I am drunk with love for
you, Electra!”
The tall female Norn, bent down and put her
arms around Bones and bit him gently on the ear.
“Introduce me to your friends, kjæreste.” She
whispered softly.
They all looked at the Asuran. Mellen leaned in
so that only they could hear, “I think I may know
something, but let’s not talk about it here. There
are too many ears in this room.”
“It’s late, where are you all staying?” Terri
asked.
His eyes glistened with love, as he pulled
Electra said simply, “We were supposed to
her into his lap, “I would like you all to meet my spend the night upstairs in a room, but they’re full.
beautiful bride. Electra Arrow Heart, the most Is there an inn nearby?”
wonderful woman I have ever known.”
Terri answered firmly, “We have plenty of
The group smiled and welcomed her openly. room in our house. Please, all of you, come stay
Electra’s krytan hound, Simon, joined in with the with us. We need to discuss this, and I doubt we’ll
traditional dog greeting ceremony, all slobber and get much sleep tonight.”
sniff. Precious immediately touched noses with the
“Harry? Mellen?” Maggie asked.
dog and they instantly became fast friends. Logan
Both simply nodded, and they all finished their
sat quietly watching the interchange between
drinks while Maggie went to the bar to settle the
the individuals at the table. Finally, when he was
tab. The bartender told her that it had all been
satisfied, he stood and cleared his throat to gain
taken care of by Logan Thackeray. She returned
their attention.
to the table and gathered her things. Harry had
“I am happy to have met each of you. I can see turned to put the kitten into his backpack, and
the bond between you, and I would like to ask your Terri snuck a look at the document he had been
help with a most disturbing concern of mine. But, wrinkling up in his paws all night. She looked at
this is not the time or place for this discussion. I Harry who was staggering a bit from all the beer
would like to meet all of you tomorrow for dinner at Logan had bought him. Pretending to wipe off the
my home on Manor Hill. It is of utmost importance table, she swept the paper into her bag, putting
that you attend. Please be there at eight PM.”
her finger to her lips when Maggie gave her a
As he turned to leave the group, he shook questioning look.
Maggie’s hand, placing a small square of paper
They all followed Maggie and Terri up the hill to
secretly in her palm. The others sat stunned by a pretty little house, ornate in a simple way, the yard
his invitation, curiosity squinting in their eyes. filled with flower beds that were in mid blossom.
Maggie stood as they watched him leave, her mind It was hidden between two apartment buildings
filling with questions as well. Then turning to the near the center of the Eastern Commons. Maggie
group, she said, “What do you guys think?”
showed Bones and Electra the spare bedroom,
“I have no idea,” came Terri’s bewildered reply. Mellen was given a soft loveseat in Terri’s office,
“You can’t trust him.” Harry crossed his arms and Harry and the kitten were left with the long
couch in the living room. Terri and Maggie sat on
over his chest.
either side of the young ranger as Terri produced
Bones stroked his chin, “The fact that he gave
the eviction notice. “When were you going to tell
us no chance to decline tells me it’s important.”
78
us about this?” she asked.
“I can take care of myself,” was his sullen reply.
between the Humans and Charr. Caudecus is going
to show off his personal inventor, Uzolan.”
The Asuran, silent until now, cleared his throat.
Everyone turned to listen. “Logan’s not the only
one worried about the Queen. Minister Caudecus’
butler, Albert, let it slip to me two nights ago that
there have been many changes and additions to
Terri stated simply, “You’ll stay here until
the staff based on Uzolan’s suggestions.”
you figure out what you want to do. At least
Silence enveloped them, with only the
until tomorrow, when we find out what Logan is
planning? I won’t hear any argument about it. occasional sound of someone sipping hot tea.
You saved both our lives more than once in the Maggie’s brow gave away her deep thought.
Finally, Bones broke the silence, “The Queen once
Catacombs. You are family, and that’s that.”
sent a squadron of soldiers to fortify my village
“I’m not going to be a burden.”
against a Svanir attack and saved my father’s life.
“We know that. You might as well stop If she is in danger, I will stand by her.”
protesting. When Terri makes up her mind, that’s
“As will I,” Terri whispered softly, “The queen
the end of it.” Maggie was serious.
performed our marriage in spite of those who
“What’s going on?” Mellen had come out of the spoke out against us.”
office.
“Yes,” Maggie nodded.
“Harry has just agreed to help Maggie and me
Harry’s voice was soft, “She spoke at my
by staying here with us and sharing expenses.”
father’s funeral after he was killed at Claw Island.
Terri smiled.
“Afterward she took me aside and gave me his
Mellen replied, “A wonderful idea.”
medal.” The tears began running down his face.
Just then Bones and Electra came in and said “She had it made in the shape of an apple.”
Maggie put her hand on his shoulder and
said, “Yes, you can. But we’re your friends and we
want to help. Besides, I don’t want Precious to be
homeless.”
in unison, “So, what’s the plan?”
Since it was going to be a long night, Terri went
to the kitchen to boil a large pot of water for tea.
Maggie produced the secret square of paper. It
held the Queen’s own seal and was an invitation to
Lord Caudecus’s Manor at the end of the month.
His friends shared his sadness. The group
embraced him as the kitten began to purr. Electra’s
Krytan Hound could be heard outside as he howled
along with Harry’s sadness. Eventually, the mood
began to lift, and Harry began thanking his friends.
“I’m sorry, I generally don’t get melancholy.”
“Oh stop,” replied Terri. “We all go there. You’ve
just got to realize that we are here for you. We are
your friends, we are your family now. This bond
“I think Logan thinks she’s in danger,” replied
we have formed was no accident. It was destiny.
Bones, “It’s hard to know if she really is. Logan
We came together at just the right moment in our
hasn’t told us anything yet.”
lives. Everything happens for a reason, and the
Harry tugged one of the kitten’s ears and said,
reason for our joining will show itself eventually.”
“I’ve heard a rumor. It’s a celebration of the treaty
“In spite of her non-scientific way of putting it,
“So, it has to do with the Queen. Do you think
she’s in danger?” asked Mellen.
79
I must agree,” stated Mellen. “We are meant to be
together. I am normally much more comfortable
with my own people, but with each and all of you,
I feel as if I belong. We are symbiotic in some
manner. I believe we may have been connected by
the Foefire when we slew the King.”
us have what we would consider a regular job. We
make money doing odd jobs, treasure hunting,
body guarding, so on and so forth.”
“Electra? You’ve only just met us, how do you
feel?” Asked Maggie.
“Nothing’s wrong with it, but how often do we
worry about where the rent is going to come from?
Or how often do you have the money to do what
you want, when you want?”
“I feel it as well, although Bones has told me
about each of you. The moment I met you in the
bar, I knew we were connected. I can’t explain
it. My mother would have called it kismet. I call
“We take what work we can find, when and
where we can find it,” chimed in Bones. “What’s
wrong with that?”
“That’s not the kind of lives we have,” said
Terri. “We live day to day.”
it destiny. And I can tell you feel it as well. We
“Exactly my point. How would you all like to
have nothing to hide from each other. I am both
have a steady income AND have more than you do
honored and a bit bewildered, but I already know
now?”
I would follow you anywhere. With that, the group
“Who wouldn’t?” was Maggie’s reply.
hugged once more and everyone went to bed.
With the next day’s mysteries still on their minds,
“Then I have a proposition for you all.” With
sleeping was difficult for them all.
that Mellen began to outline his plan. “Let me put
together the business side of things and work as
your agent. I will find work and make sure you
#
get paid more than you’re used to and still have
salvage rights for anything you find on the job.
Morning found Maggie in the kitchen drinking Let me begin by discussing the business side with
coffee and making breakfast. Her motto was Logan this evening.”
pancakes for all, and she had built up quite a
Harry looked skeptical, “How do we know that
stack when Electra showed up with an offer of you know what you’re doing? What if you end up
help. Maggie smiled, poured her a large mug and losing the job for us?”
handed her the spatula. One by one the friends,
“Well, do you trust that I am more intelligent
smelling breakfast and the coffee, appeared at the
than Logan? Give me one chance on this job here.
kitchen door. Breakfast soon became a loud, joyful
Then while the five of you go do the job, I’ll put
time.
together more work for you. I can assist when I am
After breakfast, everyone went to the backyard needed, however, but we split the money evenly
to soak up the warmth of the sun. The chatter went between us. I’m going to ask for two Gold for each
from Logan’s meeting to Lord Caudecus’s Manor, of us from Logan. If I succeed, we each take one
but as time passed to noon, Mellen stood up and gold, and put the other gold into the business. I
said, “I would like to discuss a little business with might even be able to get us a house that we can all
all of you.”
live in just outside the city.
Everyone’s attention was on Mellen. “None of
80
The group erupted into discussion with many florist cart, each lady was presented with a delicate
differing viewpoints being aired. Mellen answered bouquet.
every question thoroughly. Finally, Maggie stood
A wagon stopped beside them, and with a tip of
up and began to pound on the table. “It’s nearly 3, his hat, the driver offered a lift.
we have much to do to get prepared. I would like to
“We can’t afford to pay you today William,
put this to a vote. Does anyone object?”
besides it is such a beautiful evening.” Maggie
No one raised a hand or voice.
replied.
“Okay, all in favor of giving Mellen a chance to
“No need for payment, my dear, Logan
improve our income, say aye.”
Thackeray sent me to fetch you.”
A chorus of ayes rang out.
“All opposed to the idea?”
Not a sound from any of the friends.
“Okay Mellen, you’ve got your chance. Tell us
what you need us to do.” Maggie looked expectantly
at the Asuran.
“In that case, thank you. Perhaps you can insure
we won’t be more than fashionably late.”
With a large smile, the driver said simply,
“Hang on.”
Soon they were all stepping off the wagon into
the courtyard of the Thackeray mansion. Logan
“I have the plan, so you can ask him anything assisted the ladies off the wagon and then turned
you need to know about the job. But, when it comes to each man and shook his hand. “Welcome to my
to the money, leave that to me. If he really wants home,” was his simple greeting.
our help, he will pay us a retainer which will allow
“Thank you for having us.” said Mellen,
us to get any supplies we need, and perhaps even establishing himself as the communicator for the
buy some information.”
group.
“Agreed” said Maggie. Now let us get dressed,
we leave in forty minutes.
The rushing about began as they all tried to
make themselves as presentable as possible for
such a formal dinner invitation. Harry had the
most difficult time, but with Electra and Terri’s
help, he was soon made to look very handsome in
his black leather suit and silver bow tie. Terri even
fitted Precious the kitten and Electra’s hound with
matching ties. Simon was given a quick bath to
eliminate a foul odor he had rolled in earlier that
day.
They were escorted to the dining hall, where
they found a grand feast laid out before them. Once
they were all seated and served, Logan waved the
servants away, and they were alone.
“Eat, enjoy, we will save our business for after
the meal, unless you have questions that will not
wait.” Logan, ever the polite host, started the
conversation.
Mellen answered, “The only question I have is
about compensation.”
“Always the businessman, Mellen. Give the man
a few moments to gather his thoughts,” interjected
They assembled themselves outside the front Maggie. “Business can be discussed after dinner.”
door and began the walk to the Logan family’s
With that the conversation turned to more
mansion. Such a fine sight they made that they
mundane things, such as what were they eating,
caught the attention of the neighbors, and at the
where did this delicious beast come from, and so
81
on. A few anecdotes were told at Logan’s expense. reputation as a bargainer precedes you. I have no
He took it all gracefully, and soon they were desire to quibble into the night. This is my offer.”
laughing and enjoying themselves in the manner
Mellen looked at Maggie with a question, she
of friends.
nodded her head slightly. He turned his large eyes
When they had eaten their fill and more, Logan back to the Captain. “It is acceptable, considering
rang his bell and dessert was served. A huge cake, what we know at this time. I hold to my right to
baked in the shape of the elder Dragon Zhaitian counter your offer should the need arise.”
was brought in. The unspoken challenge was
Logan opened his desk and removed a cloth
accepted and soon the cake was devoured.
bag. “I expect this will take care of your expenses.
Finally, Logan led them all into the next room. Should anything more arise prior to next week’s
It was filled with soft chairs and couches, the festival, please contact me here in the evenings.
ladies found comfortable pillows on the floor. The My servants have been told you are contractors,
bar along the wall held all manner of spirits, and hired to work on one of my properties in the
Logan provided bartender service.
countryside.”
Once everyone was seated, with drinks in hand,
Logan began, “I’ve asked you here to help me
protect the Queen. It may be nothing, but I have
reason to believe Lord Caudecus and his inventor
Uzolan mean to do her harm. I cannot allow it. I’ve
asked you here because you’ve proven yourselves
worthy of a challenge and I trust you.”
“Forgive me Logan,” Mellen quickly spoke, “But
the question of our compensation still remains.
My friends and I have expenses. If we are to help
you, we will be unable to use the time to earn other
income. Bills must be paid.”
“What what can you tell us about this Uzolan?”
Maggie asked.
“I’ve heard he is controlling Caudecus, and that
he has ties to the Separatist movement. Demmi
Beetlestone brought him to my attention. She
told me her father had begun acting strangely
since hiring the toy maker. I’ve had operatives
at the mansion for weeks now, but they have not
been able to gather much information. However,
it appears that Uzolan has convinced Caudecus
to make certain changes to key personnel. The
Queen refuses to listen, I cannot convince her of
the danger.”
Logan surprised them all with his next
statement. “I will give you as a group, six gold
“We will uncover any plot and protect the
coins as a retainer, and 6 more gold coins upon Queen. I promise you.” Mellen assured him.
completion. That is what you were going to
Maggie quietly added, “Yes. Speaking of which,
haggle me to, isn’t it? If the retainer doesn’t cover do you have invitations for us or must we sneak in
your expenses, provide me with receipts upon the back door?”
completion and you will be compensated.”
“The Queen was adamant that you all are
Maggie looked at Mellen who simply said, invited.” Logan produced the rest of the invitations
“How did you know what I was going to ask?.”
and handed them to Maggie. “It seems she
With a smile, Logan simply replied, “I expected remembers each of you.”
you to ask what the task is worth to me. I will spare
As Maggie placed the invitations into her pack,
no expense to protect my Queen. And besides, your she looked at each of her friends. The yawning had
82
begun, “Excuse us Logan, it is late, and it seems we
have preparations to make, and a plan to hatch.”
“Please keep me apprised of the situation if you
will, I would prefer no surprises.” Logan’s eyes
frowned in worry.
they held hands and smiled at each other. Harry sat
with the driver, carefully watching their progress
while Maggie called out various points of interest.
Upon arriving at the gate, the group made
their way up the stairs to be greeted by the butler,
Terri reached out and gently touched his arm, Albert. When Albert came to Maggie and Terri, he
“I know you’re concerned about the Queen, but we said brightly, “The Queen is looking forward to
seeing both of you again.”
will do our best to protect her.”
“Thank you, Albert.” Terri smiled back as he
He nodded once and the tight muscles in his
kissed her hand.
face relaxed a bit as he exhaled.
The party was in full swing as they entered the
With that the group bid Logan good night and
found the wagon waiting outside to take them back courtyard. When the Queen noticed Maggie and
to the house. The ride was uneventful, and the talk Terri, she had them escorted to her. Ignoring the
remained small. Once they reached the house, formalities, she greeted them with warm embraces
Mellen reached into his pocket and produced a tip
for the driver, saying, “Thank you sir.”
“My favorite young ladies. I want to scold you
for not keeping your promise to come visit me
Back at the house, they discussed the evening every week.”
and planned until everyone was exhausted.
“I’m sorry your majesty, but we both know how
#
The day of the party arrived bright and clear,
and the friends each felt a heightened sense of
adventure.
As promised, Mellen had left earlier to stash
away their weapons and armor in case they were
needed. He would not be joining them directly,
but would be on hand nearby to keep watch from
outside the grounds.
Logan sent a carriage to pick them up in
Divinity’s Reach. The ride to Beetletun was
uneventful, full of nervous small talk. Precious
slept in Maggie’s lap. Electra’s pet krytan hound
sat in the front with the driver, looking all regal
in his brightly polished, studded collar. Electra
and Bones sat in the front facing rear seat. Taking
nearly the entire seat with their large Norn forms,
busy you are. We can’t take up your time with our
little lives.” Maggie replied.
“Nonsense, you would have saved me from
endless paperwork and fools. But I’m happy that
you are here now. Logan is worried. It may be
nothing, but thank you for coming.”
With that, the talk turned to mundane, “How
have you been,” and “You look wonderful.”
Eventually, the Queen was pulled back into her
official state and the girls were released to enjoy
the party.
The group gathered to discuss the plan.
“I found the cache, it’s inside that little building
in the fountain,” said Bones.
Electra added, “I noticed some muttering
going on between some of the guests and servants.
Something isn’t right here, and I think we should
ask some discreet questions.”
“Okay, let’s split up and cover as much ground
83
as we can. Bones, would you please stay up here
near our gear in case we need the weapons?”
“You’ve got it Maggie. What’s the signal?”
“The signal is me screaming your name.”
Maggie replied.
The group split up and began mingling with
different groups and asking innocent sounding
questions. After an hour or so, they came together
in a secluded spot to discuss their findings. Maggie
quietly signaled Logan who gradually worked
his way to them so they could fill him in on their
findings. Uzolan had replaced most of Caudecus’s
security with his own people. Clearly upset about
what they had uncovered, Logan stormed off
toward Lord Caudecus. Maggie, seeing the look in
his eyes screamed “Bones!”
Bones grabbed their gear, removed his
hammer and staff, then tossed the rest down to
Maggie. Weapons in hand, the group spread out
and took defensive positions. As Logan confronted
Caudecus, Uzolan shouted, “Do it NOW!” While
his huge golem began to attack, Uzolan activated
a small device and he, Caudecus, and the Queen
disappeared in a bright flash of purple light.
They donned their armor while formulating a
rescue plan. Suddenly, Mellen appeared waving a
small, blinking device which he excitably handed
to Maggie as Terri looked on.
Mellon said, “He used a transporter that
leaves behind a residue of energy bundles,by
following the residue it will lead you to where
they teleported. Push this yellow button and it will
show you the path of energy. The green button is
a communicator you can use to reach me. There is
no time to waste, go find the queen.
Terri took the device and led the way. The group
followed the residue into the building and down a
hall. Soon, they came to a door that was guarded
by a very large doorman. Armed with a hammer
and shield, He refused to let them pass. A long scar
running down the side of his face showed he had
no fear of fighting. Logan stepped up to him, “I
order you in the name of the Queen to stand aside
and let us pass.”.
“I take orders from no Queen.” was his reply as
he spit on the floor and the battle ensued.
The doorman struck a mighty blow with
his hammer and Logan went down almost
Maggie leaped headlong into the attack and immediately. Simon pulled him away and Maggie
began using her axes to disable the golem. Bones dived behind the doorman as Bones took the front.
joined her and shielded them both as his hammer Together, they began to beat their way through
pounded on the machine. Precious deflected the his defenses as Harry and Electra hit him with
Golems first attack, as Simon interrupted his their arrows. Once Logan revived, he rejoined
second. Electra and Harry both fired from behind the fight with a vengeance. Precious appeared as
the hedges, arrow after arrow. Terri put up a wall did Electra’s hound. Simon quickly knocked the
of stone that protected the guests from the golem’s doorman down, and that allowed Bones to finish
attack. Soon it was over and the golem lay in pieces him off. Bones cast healing spells all around, and
soon the group was ready to advance.
on the ground.
Inside the room was a group wearing the
“The Queen, he’s taken the Queen!” Logan
cried out. His fists clenched around the grip of his uniforms of Caudecus’s security guards. As soon
as Logan entered, they attacked. Logan quickly
sword in frustration.
rolled back through the doorway, shouting, “Look
“We’ll find them,” Maggie replied.
out, it’s a trap!”
84
Bones and Maggie quickly took positions on
either side of the doorway and fought the enemy
soldiers in the narrow confines of the door. Terri
threw fireballs, Electra and Harry fired arrows, and
the pets joined the fight at the door. One by one,
the enemy soldiers were killed. Once the fighting
had stopped, Maggie peeked inside the room and
shouted, “There are seven more, charge!”
Harry winked and started back down the
stairs, this time he took a little longer, but when
he returned, another group was hot on his trail.
Dodging again to get out of the way, Harry stood
to the side and used his bow. Precious and Simon
met the group directly and helped dispatch them
in no time. Harry made one more trip, and after
that group was gone, said, “That’s all I could find. I
The group bolted through the door firing as think it’s safe for us to go downstairs now.”
they went and the remaining bandits went down
Maggie directed her gaze at Logan, “This
quickly. As Harry and Bones searched for clues machine is pointing toward the stables. We may
on the bodies, Bones commented, “These are not need help. Get reinforcements to meet us there!
security guards, they’re separatists. They all have You’ll need to save her if we fail.”
the distinctive tattoos on their necks. What are
“It will take some time,” he answered, rubbing
they doing here?”
his forehead.
“When we were questioning everyone, we were
told that all of the security staff had been replaced
at Uzolan’s direction.” Harry reminded them.
“Then you should go now, we can handle
tracking them, but we might need help freeing
her.”
“Replaced by separatists, sworn against the
Queen. We have to get to her.” Terri sounded
worried.
“You are right, thank you,” he said and left the
room in long, determined strides.
Harry piped in, “I can go down first, draw some
back up here. We can fight a handful at a time that
way, instead of the whole mob.”
and let him out. Maggie pointed in the direction
of the voices, and the group charged. They came
across more bandits, including a grenadier who
was throwing bombs at them. Dodging the bombs,
they were able to kill the grenadier first, then the
fighter. Finally, they captured the loud-voiced one
who had been trying to get through the door.
As Logan left the way they had come, Maggie
Maggie calmed them, “Don’t worry, we can motioned the group forward. Quietly they went
still see and track the energy trail, so we must be downstairs to find the halls empty. Maggie put her
getting closer. We need to go down the stairs.”
finger to her lips and whispered, “Listen.”
“That could be dangerous,” Bones surprised
They heard voices arguing. Someone was
her with his caution.
trying to convince someone else to open a door
Maggie nodded and Harry started quietly down
the stairs. The rest of the party spread out and
waited. Soon they heard heavy footsteps running
up the stairs and Harry burst in and suddenly
rolled to his left. Behind him were half a dozen
bandits. They were dispatched quite handily by
the group.
“Nice job.” Bones said in admiration.
“And who have we here?” asked Maggie, while
holding her axe at his throat.
“I work for Lord Caudecus, I am trying to find
him, and he has been kidnapped,” the guard shook
as he answered. Sweat beaded on his pale face as
85
he stared at her determined face. “You’re wearing the same uniform as these
men. That tells me you’re one of them. They were
obviously working for the separatists.”
lieutenant, Simon began to fight the lieutenant’s
soldiers. Electra and Harry used their bows to fire
upon the entire group. Terri, wearing her conjured
stone armor, waded into the battle and created a
wall of fire that the separatists couldn’t cross.
“I don’t know anything about that, I only know
One by one, the separatists were defeated until
I have to reach Lord Caudecus. I have information
about Uzolan. He’s in league with the separatists only the lieutenant remained. Precious and Simon
made short work of the injured officer. The party
and is trying to hold the Queen for ransom.”
took time to check for injuries on themselves and
“Where are they holding the Queen?” Maggie
the cat and dog. Bones and Harry traded barbs.
pushed the axe tighter against the man’s neck.
They also checked their weapons for damage.
He swallowed and trembled. “I don’t know for Simon gave a soft whine.
sure, but I think they were leaving the grounds by
Harry sniffed the air and said, “He must smell
the stable. I saw a wagon loaded with weapons.”
other dogs, guard dogs patrolling the grounds”
Maggie removed the axe from his neck, but not
Looking around the corner, Maggie noticed a
the tight grip on his arm. “Tie him up. Leave him.
handful of separatists guarding a Norn. Signaling
Gag him so he can’t warn anyone.”
to the group, she switched to her bow, stepped
Maggie reached up and pressed a lever on the around and fired at the closest separatist. Electra
wall. The doorway opened to reveal a separatist fired a barrage at the group, the arrows landing
Lieutenant. Armed with pistols and grenades, his with the sound of heavy hail. Three separatists
double attack gave them some trouble until Simon went down immediately from their attack. Two
charged and knocked him down, giving Maggie more fought their way into the middle of the
and Bones time to reach him.
group, only to die when attacked from all sides.
“Grenade!” Bones grabbed the grenade he
was holding and flung it into the next tunnel. It
exploded and hurled rocks and shrapnel through
the tunnel.
Looking around the corner again, Maggie
found the Norn alone and asleep. As they drew
closer, Harry noticed three more bandits hiding
in an adjoining room. He signalled the group and
Five separatists in clanging metal and leather they were drawn out quickly and ran instantly
armor ran through the tunnel as the smoke cleared. into a flaming wall created by Terri. The smell of
They whipped out their weapons and leapt into burning flesh filled the air. Bones took a moment
to cast healing spells. Electra noticed blood on
the battle.
Simon’s leg and insisted on wrapping the cut with
Harry growled, “Thanks, Bones, I wanted a
herbs.
harder fight.”
The Norn snored loudly. Maggie was at a loss.
“Now you’re learning how to be a Norn,” was
She shook him and he still didn’t awaken. “He’s
the Guardian’s retort.
drunk,” stated Electra after sniffing the air around
Bones countered the attack with a defensive
him.
spell that protected both Maggie and him.
Bones found a pail of water and dumped it
While Precious continued to bite and claw at the
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unceremoniously on the sleeping giant. He stood
up, sputtering and wiped the water his face and
beard. Upon being questioned, the Norn soon
identified himself as Sigfast, the door guard. After
being told of the Queen’s danger, he staggered
to the door and unlocked it. “You’ll need to be
careful, there are guard dogs all over the property.
You may also find a group of soldiers outside this
door. There is also a guard post in the trees at the
top of the hill. You’ll be vulnerable until you take
out the grenadiers and snipers.”
“Thank you Sigfast.” Bones replied. “We will
see you at the Moot.”
Bones waited at the door for Maggie’s signal.
Once everyone was in position, she nodded her
head and he used his hammer to blast open the
door. The surprised separatists on the other side
charged right in to the trap. As Sigfast passed out
again and began to snore, the battle was finished.
“Stay inside,” said Maggie.
tree. A ramp wound around the tree, leading up
to the guardhouse at the top. Out in front was a
single caged prisoner.
“What do you all think?” Maggie asked.
“I think the grenadiers have done the most
damage to us so far, they should be our first
targets.” Bones replied.
“I agree,” said Terri.
Maggie nodded and then stated, “I think you’re
right. Let’s take them out first, then go after the
snipers. If the fighters break through, Bones,
you and I will have to keep them away from our
friends.”
“Sounds like a solid plan,” Bones agreed.
With that, the group began the attack. Grenades
were flung in their direction immediately, but they
were able to dodge out of range. Harry and Electra
used their bows with precision, targeting the most
dangerous enemies first.. Precious and Simon
She stepped outside and carefully looked helped and the grenadiers were soon removed
around the corner to see two groups of hounds, from the fight. The snipers were the next targets.
each led by a lieutenant. Firing a single arrow at Fighters charged them, but Maggie and Bones
the first group, she ducked back inside. The first held them at bay while Harry worked his way
group came charging around the corner, only to be behind the tree and began picking snipers off from
met by more arrows. Electra and Harry continued the rear. Electra continued her barrage from the
to fire as Bones and Maggie waded in and attacked front. Terri built wall after wall of stone to protect
the lieutenant. Terri set fire to the grass around them. Finally, Maggie and Bones started up the
the fighting and the hounds fell, one by one. Soon ramp. only the handler remained. As Maggie’s axes
Fighting their way to the top, they faced the
sliced through the air in brutal blows, Bones drew commander. He was soon overwhelmed and the
his staff and began casting a wall of reflection. The group hurried to the bottom to free the prisoner.
lieutenant’s own attack was reflected back to him Surprised she had no injuries, Harry realized she
and he died by his own hand.
was none other than Mia Kindleshot. “Well met,
The second group was dispatched the same Harry. You’ve grown into quite the fighter.”
way, and the party moved out into the field.
“Thank you elder Mia. How did you become
Looking ahead, they could see the outpost their prisoner?”
described by Sigfast. They counted grenadiers,
“They took me when they took the Queen.
snipers and fighters along the base of the largest
87
Perhaps for ransom, although they paid in blood.
They didn’t realize I bite.” She laughed.
“Speaking of the Queen, do you know where
they took her?” Maggie asked.
“They are at the end of this valley, waiting for
Uzolan’s escort. I heard some talk the Queen was
being difficult. I like her. I hope she bites too.” Mia
replied, with a smile “Come, I’ll show you.”
After quickly restoring their energies, the
party started up the valley. Soon they could see
some commotion in the distance. They hid away
in the underbrush to observe. The Queen was in a
protective bubble, and the Captain angrily shouted
at his men, “Try and burst it.”
The Queen, defiant, “I’ll let you all live if you
leave immediately. Otherwise, you’ll be fed to
farmer Hewitt’s pigs”
He fell to the ground immediately unconscious.
Queen Jennah rushed to his side and cradled his
head. She grabbed up a handful of stones from
the ground beside them and threw them up in the
Captain’s face. The captain howled, holding his
hand up to his face to protect his eyes. Maggie saw
the opening and whirled her axe for the finishing
blow. The other enemies fell soon after.
Terri and Electra joined Queen Jennah and
Maggie next to Harry’s unconscious form. Tears
flowed down the Queen’s face. “He saved my life.
He stood between me and the dagger. We must
help him. I will not let him die.”
Tears also ran down Terri’s face as she charged
up the lane towards the stables, shouting, “Logan!
Damn you, where are you, we need help!”
Logan appeared, followed by a squad of
soldiers. “What is it?”
“The Captain will be the most difficult, but
“It’s Harry, he’s been wounded. I think the
the others should be easy compared to what we’ve
dagger was poisoned. He’s in bad shape.”
fought so far,” whispered Harry.
“Perhaps, but we should watch a bit longer,”
Terri replied.
“Wait, did you see that?” asked Harry. “The
bubble, it’s flickering. Her power is waning. We
need to attack now!
“Medics!” Logan barked.
Two soldiers with heavy packs sprinted to the
group and the medics immediately began chanting
healing spells and bandaging wounds. Bones
assisted with healing spells himself. Precious lay
on Harry’s body, purring loudly. The group could
see her growing smaller as she gave Harry her life
force. Simon licked Harry’s face.
With that, Harry climbed up the hill for a better
vantage point. Electra joined him, Terri moved
behind a tree and waited for the signal. Bones
The Queen looked up at one of her officers.
walked up the center of the path and confronted
the Captain directly. Maggie charged and the fight “Captain, we need an airship right away. If we can
began. Mia, using a rifle taken from a dead sniper, get him to Divinity’s Reach, our doctors might be
able to save him.”
targeted the sergeant.
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Suddenly, the protective bubble surrounding
the Queen burst. Harry, seeing it first, charged
and put himself between the Queen and the
The captain saluted. “Right away, Your
Majesty.” He turned and sent off his fastest runner
to deliver the message.
separatists. He cried out in pain as the captain’s
knife, flung at the Queen, struck him in his chest.
Once they arrived at the palace, Harry was taken
to the guest quarters and the finest doctors in the
kingdom were summoned. The group waited at the
foot of his bed. Precious, at first banned by the staff
from Harry’ room because of her ferocious nature
toward anyone who came near Harry, slipped in
behind one of the healers and joined Harry on
the bed. When an orderly tried to remove her, she
became very large, very fast and her no nonsense
hiss made it plain she was not leaving.
“I can help remove some of the poison.”
“You’re exhausted from casting the protection
spells for so long, Your Majesty. You could be
seriously injured yourself if you’re not at full
strength.”
“Mellen needs help, and I’m certainly not going
to stand here and watch Harry die.” Queen Jennah
waved a scepter in tiny spirals through the air.
Maggie left the room briefly and punched a Music filled the room and light glowed in a circle,
button on the communicator.
enlarging until it engulfed Harry, Mellen and the
“What is it now, bookah?” he sighed. “I’m right other healers. A gray-green cloud appeared above
in the middle of calibrating the psy-accelerometer the Charr. Harry started to breathe more easily,
and the tachyphonic stream needs to be in perfect and his drooping ears regained some color.
synchronization, or--”
The healer attending the Charr checked his vital
With tears in her voice, Maggie almost shouted,
“Mellen, get to the Queen’s palace in Divinity’s
Reach NOW. Harry was seriously wounded in
the battle, and the doctors can’t stop the poison. I
think he’s dying.”
Mellen arrived a couple of hours later. The party
had collapsed in chairs and on the floor around the
room, exhausted from battle and worry.
signs again. “Harry is improving, Your Majesty.
The poison appears to be out of his system.”
The necromancer collapsed at the side of the
bed. He laid his head down on the bedspread
briefly before saying, “What idiotic bookah tried to
get between Harry and me and interrupt my work?
Don’t you fools know that Asurans have superior
constitutions for this?”
Mellen scanned the Charr with some
instruments and nodded. He looked at the doctors.
“You there, tall bookah. Cast whatever it is you cast
to keep his cardiovascular system in high gear. I’m
going to leech the poison out of him.” He turned
to Harry and began a spell of his own. His voice
faded as he worked his way through all the spell
chants.
The Queen laid a gentle hand on his shoulder.
“You’re welcome. Now get some rest. We all need
it after this ordeal. That’s an order.”
A healer examined him without interrupting
the flow of his work. “He’s healing him somehow,
my Queen. Necromancers can do that, but Harry
may have too much poison in his system for Mellen
to save him.”
some breakfast?” As the group awakened, each
of them rushed to the bed and began to hug the
wounded ranger. Precious jumped off the bed and
Mellen opened his mouth once, closed it, and
stayed silent. Terri helped him to his feet and
led him to a chair. She handed him some water
and a small bowl of stew to regain his energy. He
slumped over in the chair as soon as he finished,
The queen noticed the Asuran becoming more eyelids fighting unsuccessfully to stay open.
pale as the spell went on. “What’s happening to
Maggie was the first to awaken at the sound of
him?”
Harry’s voice. “I’m hungry,” he said. “How about
moved to the still sleeping Mellen. Laying upon
his body, she began once again to purr. It was then
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that everyone noticed Mellen’s color was very pale.
“You put yourself in the line of fire to protect
Soon though, the flush returned to his cheeks me, that takes incredible courage. You remind me
and he awakened. Maggie looked at him knowingly. so much of your father and I know that he would
She knew he had been the one to save Harry’s life. be very proud of you. You are hereby declared a
Champion of the Queen. Let all who meet you
Mellen put his finger to his lips, and she nodded.
know, you have the heart and courage of a lion.”
The Queen entered the room in a flourish.
There was not a dry eye in the room, even
Sitting on the edge of the bed, she held Harry’s
paw and said simply, “Thank you, you saved my Logan had to wipe his eyes. The story was told
life and I can never repay you, but if you ever are over and over again and Precious grew in each
retelling, until she was as large as the Elder dragon
in need, you have only to ask.”
himself. “It was just blind luck Your Majesty. I zigged
instead of zagged.” The Charr shyly replied.
90
Guild Wars 2 Gaiscioch Progress Report
By: Benjamin “Foghladha” Foley
L
ife in Guild Wars 2 lately has been getting
better by the day. Our numbers have
balanced out right at the 500 active player
level which has made guild management a breeze
and makes the strain of the lack of a cross guild
communication system less apparent.
they feel the leader has done an outstanding job.
Lastly we have enabled badges on the Sanctum
of Rall site to allow players to show off their
achievements in leadership and fellowship.
Many of you will be familiar with these new
systems as they are a lite versions of the ones we
Over the past few months we’ve actually seen a use every day on the Gaiscioch.com site. With this
rise in activities and player participation in these new system in place we have seen our server grow
activities. The new Sanctum of Rall Community and become active once again. New guilds have
Conquest events featuring both Guild Missions found their way to our shores and we are actively
and WvW have been a huge hit and we’re now growing once again.
getting crowds over 90 players for the missions
Those of you who have stepped up to lead in World
and around 60 for the WvW segment.
vs World I thank you. Your efforts have breathed
Server wise, we have seen several new developments new life into our server. Over the past couple
that have improved the quality of life. A new war months we have had some of the most fulfilling
council has been elected including Xivor, Scripko, fights on the battlefield to date.
Moscow, GFKowns, and myself to oversee the
public face of our server to the rest of the Guild Players are having fun again and the old days of
Wars 2 community and provide leadership and belittling and raging that we came to know on the
community Teamspeak is long passed. With the
support to our community.
loss of the Elite, we gained the ability to forge a
Several new features have been added to the community of our own.
SanctumofRall.com including the new Commander
On Deck feature that allows commanders to mark This new community is friendly, helpful, kind,
that they are on a map and earn a score based of and respectful. If you have not had a chance to
their PPT performance and how many players experience WvW since we left tier 1, I’d highly
followed them into battle. This system ties directly recommend coming out for some of the most epic
into our new Weekly and Monthly raffles which nights we’ve had in recent years. Every event is an
award random participants, leaders, and members epic event now. I look forward to the days to come
in anticipation for what comes next. We can finally
of Sanctum of Rall a chance to win loot.
“play” and not worry about being the best all the
Additionally I have added a new feature that allows time. Join us for some fun times and play Guild
people to add comments about each leader and Wars 2 the way it should be played. With friends!
award them with a commander commendation if
91
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Preface:
The following story was created in 2001 as the
Origins story for the Gaiscioch na Anu, a Dark
Age of Camelot Roleplaying guild formed to share
the stories of Celtic folklore with the Hibernia,
Nimue community. Characters mentioned in this
story are fictional and not related to any person in
particular. This story loosely based on the lore of
Dark Age of Camelot, Celtic folklore, and in game
character stories.
Chapter 1: The Tuatha de Anu
Legend has it that the Tuatha de Anu was created
by Anu to help protect the people of Hibernia.
Anu is known throughout Hibernia as the mother
goddess or as Mother Nature. She is the Wife of
the Sun God Belenos, and mother to the Tuatha
de Anu, or Tribe of Anu. She is well known for her
benevolence and is often times referred to as the
goddess of fertility and nature. It is believed that
she is the source of all energy that lives within all
natural elements. This is the very same energy,
which allows the ancient druids to practice the
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magical ways that help protect the land of Hibernia.
Little is known about the origins of Anu however
it’s believed that she has been around since the
creation of time.
The Tuatha de Anu was comprised of several gods
and goddess. The most well known being Dagda
the king of the Tuatha de Anu. This was not always
so. His brother Nuada was once the king of the
Tuatha de Anu. Until the first battle of Magh
Tuiredh. In this treacherous battle King Nuada
had his hand severed in combat. Due to this sign
of mortality the Tuatha de Anu removed him from
his throne and in his place sat his brother Dagda.
His first son was Aonghus Mac Og. He was raised
by Midhir, a chieftain in Bri Leith, after his mother
Boinne gave birth to him. This was because Boinne
was the wife of Dagda’s brother Nuada who he had
taken the throne from. In an act of passion Dagda
ordered his brother Nuada to travel to the islands
in the east to investigate a new civilization that
had been discovered. In the time that Nuada was
away Dagda impregnated his wife and delivered
his child. In an effort to keep his heredity secret
the Tuatha de Anu’s poets of skillful words and
magic educated him. He excelled in the magical
ways of shape shifting and in time was told of his
true heredity.
His next son, Lugh Lamfhota, was endowed with
abnormal strength. Based on his abnormal strength
and the long range of his weapons, Lugh became
known as the Raven of the Long Arm. He carried
a sword that could cut through anything, and a
spear given to him by Dagda, which was extremely
powerful. It could fly through the air for a great
distance when cast by him, and when he spoke the
When Dagda took the throne his brothers Nuada, word “Ibar” it would never to miss his mark. Then
Dian Cecht and Lir quickly became dominant he would speak “Athibar” and the spear would
figures in the Tuatha de Anu as well as Dagda’s 4 return to his hand. He earned the name Raven
sons; Aonghus Mac Og, Lugh Lamfhota, Oghma, from his ability to speak with the ravens to learn
and Aodh, and 3 daughters Brighid, Banbha, the positions of the enemy soldiers. He has long
and Eire. He is endowed with great wisdom and blonde hair and was very tall and muscular. He is
extreme magical skills. He wears a coarse-woven, handsome and well proportioned. He is a heroic
brown low-necked tunic, which only reached down warrior, sorcerer, and accomplished in all skills.
below his hips; and over this a hooded cape, which From music to crafting in metals stone and wood.
barely covered his shoulders. He wears knee high He is portrayed by many, to be the God of Light.
animal-hide boots, and has long hair with a full
silvery white beard. Even though he is a king he Dagda’s third son, Oghma is a master of wisdom,
has never been seen with a crown or any type of speech, and poetry. Oghma is shrewd and thinks
jewels or riches. He is a rather large man towering quickly in warfare, and a champion in battle. He
is one of the leading warrior chiefs in battles. He
over most firbolgs.
was the creator of the Ogham script, the earliest
He had enormous strength and carries a club-of- form of written language. He is fair haired, blue
anger. This eight-pronged war club is so huge that eyed, and handsome with a chiseled face. He is
several men would be needed just to carry it. The tall, muscular and very strong. Even today, his
club is imbued with magical powers on the smooth language can only be read by the Tuatha.
end he could touch a dead man and instantly
bring him to life. Thus one end has the power to The fourth son is rather elusive. There is little
destroy while the other the power to recreate. documented about his son Aodh. It is rumored
He is also known for his mighty bronze cauldron that he is the god of shadows and no mortal has
named the Undry, in which provides an endless ever laid eyes upon him. It is believed that Aodh
bountiful harvest to the people of Hibernia. He was extremely jealous of his other brothers and
also possesses a harp that when played can change decided to spend life in shadows and only to appear
upon the request of the goddess Anu herself.
the weather and seasons.
Nuada was rather upset by the loss of his seat as
king and also the loss his hand. His brother, being
as clever as he is and a skilled craftsmen, Nuada’s
younger brother Dian Cecht, forged Nuada a new
hand made of pure silver. The hand was given to
Nuada and from that day on he became known as
“Nuada Argetlamh” or “Nuada of the silver hand”.
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Dagda’s first daughter Brighid was born at the
exact moment that the sun rose over the eastern
foothills. A great tower of flame rose from the top
of her tiny head, reaching far into the skies, thus
signaling the birth of a uniquely divine baby. Her
breath gave life to the dead and this earned her
the name “the Exalted One”. She is a great poet
and possesses many talents in the realm of arts
and crafts. Many Bards and Poets aspire to be like
Brighid and often times find themselves in awe
of her greatness. However, while Brighid’s words
are beautiful she is cursed with one half of her
face being ugly while the other being beautiful.
However her long hair hangs over her one side
of her face to hide this curse. She is rather well
proportioned and is always clad in a simple, long
white robe. She is married to Breas, the son of a
Fomorian king in an attempt to form an alliance
between the two races. She gave birth to a son
Ruadan who was beheaded and killed in a battle at
a young age. Due to the delay in reaching her slain
son she was unsuccessful in breathing life into
his body. Her sorrow was great and she was the
first to lament the death of a love one by weeping,
shrieking and wailing. In his memory she erected
a shrine in Kildare that contained a sacred flame
that would never go out.
this mysterious woman would eventually lead to
her death. Bran still lives today as a well known as
a giant that roams the land south of Innis Carthaig.
The Tuatha were strong and brought prosperous
times to Hibernia. Many years passed before the
great conflict began.
Chapter 2: The Great Conflict
It was the winter after the great oak fell near
Ardee, that snow began to fall on the mountains to
the east. This made the Tuatha de Anu very weary.
For snow had not touched the soil of Hibernia
for nearly a thousand seasons. Anu began having
horrible nightmares of a foreign race coming to
Hibernia and laying siege to its peaceful way of
life. They had horrific faces often times hidden
in the shadows. Some were tall and bulky while
others were short and slender. Their coarse skin
was like the scale of a dragon or that of golem.
Anu decided it was time to call upon the Tuatha de
Anu to discuss the nightmares that had besieged
her. The Tuatha agreed to meet at a place not to far
from Caille at the top of a mountain where villagers
His second daughter Banbha took king MacCuill had erected worship stones. For hours upon hours
hand in marriage at a young age. She is a gifted they discussed this matter and a plot to prevent
magician and is known to be the goddess of war the fall of Hibernia. The first to speak was Brighid.
Tormented by her own ghosts and plagued with
and of fertility.
the ever desire to partake in war she suggested
Dagda’s last child was Eire, a extremely powerful that the Tuatha meet the resistance before it had
magician who cast powerful spells by the use of ever begun. Dagda looked to her with a troubled
incantations and herbs. She sometime appears as a face and asked, “if we are to leave Hibernia to fight
tall, powerfully built woman in colorful, intricately a war against an unknown race, who would be left
adorned robes, luxuriant gold-blonde hair, and to protect our home?” Lugh then spoke out hastily
sometimes as a long-beaked gray crow, casting her to add, “We can not leave our country, nor can we
even begin to predict the power of this race. We
spells and weaving magic wherever she goes.
must defend before siege. Learn the ways of these
Dian Cecht is a fine Craftsmen and maker of people.” Nuada then interrupted by saying “why
Nuada’s silver hand. He is the great god of healing don’t we have Dian Cecht create a staff that could
and is the physician of the Tuatha de Anu. It was be imbued with our powers and used to protect
Dian who blessed the well Slane in which the the lands of Hibernia even in our absence?” The
wounded Tuatha de Anu bathed. It is known that heads of the Tuatha snapped to Nuada and the
this would cure all wounds so they could resume air became rather still. Dagda said calmly “Aye
brother… I do feel that would be our best plan of
fighting.
action.” The other Tuatha quickly agreed.
Lir is the god of the sea and father of four. The
most controversial of which, was his son Bran, So it was decided that Dian Cecht’s craftsmanship
who was born from a mortal woman. Lir’s love for would be called upon again. He began crafting a
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shod staff made of duskwood with an emerald the
size of a fist encased in its peak. After the staff was
crafted the Tuatha met once again to perform a
ritual that would place their powers into this staff.
As the ritual progressed the storm that had been
bantering the hillside for days diminished. The
sun peaked out between the clouds and shined
upon the shrine illuminating it with a breathtaking
aura. Small wisps of light began flowing through
the bodies of the Tuatha into the staff. When the
wisps of light disappeared Anu stepped forward
and mumbled an ancient blessing. She then bent
down and kissed the emerald, which was placed at
the staff’s crown. The staff began glowing a silvery
green color and Anu named it “Bioran de Saorsa”.
goddess Anu a gift. It was a golden necklace with
a leaf embossed pendant that he had spent many
hours crafting for her.
As he set the necklace on the base of the center
stone the rain that had been hammering his blue
hooded gossamer cloak dispersed and a beam of
light illuminated the shrine. Anu appeared next
the stone clothed in vines of ivy. Her skin was far
paler than he expected. Her red hair flowed into the
wind like fireflies dancing in the moonlight. Her
eyes were like emeralds yet peaceful and soothing.
He was mesmerized by her beauty and could
barely breath. But as the wind stilled and Anu’s
lips parted, he felt warm and safe, not terrified
like before. She spoke to him and requested that
At this point the Tuatha decided they needed a he build a tower so vast that it could house a staff
place they could house this powerful yet destructive created by the Tuatha de Anu. She gave to him the
staff. Anu decided it was time to contact a mortal plans for this tower and then disappeared into the
and instruct them to build a tower that could light.
protect this staff. She sought out an individual
so pure of heart that he would perform this task Within one season cycle Allister had the tower
without questioning her motives or inquire about completely constructed. It was erected just north
the origins of this sacred staff. It was imperative east of the town of Magmell and he called it the
that the staff be kept secret, as every rogue from “Tùr na Tir na mBeo” or the “Tower of the land
Innis Carthaig to Tir Urphost would be seeking it of the living”. The Tuatha de Anu came to Tùr na
Tir na mBeo and placed the staff in its highest
out for its valuable emerald.
point. Upon placing the Bioran de Saorsa into its
holder a bright light flowed from the staff into the
sky creating a barrier that would prevent foreign
invasion. This barrier was known as the Veil.
The following season ships were seen to the
coastline just passed the hills of Emain Macha.
Hundreds of thousands of foreigners began
making camp on the beachhead just a days hike
from the village of Failte. These humans, who
claim to be from the land of Midgard, brought
with them hundreds of beasts known as trolls and
kobolds. Like Anu had dreamt, they were tall and
bulky while others were short and slender.
Carragh dé Earsadh
It was at Carragh dé Earsadh, also known as the
Monument of Hope that she contacted a druid by
the name of Allister Caulfield who was paying his
respect to the Tuatha. Allister was a medium sized
man with short brown hair and fair skin. He was
a man of unquestionable devotion and dedicated
his entire life to nature and to worshipping Anu.
He had traveled to Carragh dé Earsadh to give the
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Widespread panic began to arise in the land of
Hibernia as tens of thousands of Norsemen, Trolls,
and Kobolds stormed into the northeastern lands
of Hibernia. Scouts reported a large settlement on
the beachhead. Villagers packed their bags and
began heading towards the capital city in hopes
their lives would be spared. A call to arms was sent
across the lands and what forces Hibernia had
moved to Emain Macha in hopes they could stop
this force about to partake in sieging their homes.
Another season passed before they attempted
to siege the Hibernian fort of Dun Crauchon.
Legion upon legion began marching towards the
north-easternmost keep. Like a sea of steel they
progressed towards the mainland. However upon
crossing the hills of Emain Macha their skin burst
into flames and their bodies were disintegrated
within seconds. Half the Midgard legion attempted
to pass through the hills of Emain Macha before
they finally figured out they could not pass as long
as the veil stood.
After half the Midgard force fell the Tuatha lead
the counter assault. Celts, Elves, and Lurikeen all
joined together and pushed the Midgards back
the ships in which they came. As the last Midgard
ship set sail to the east, an uproar of cheering and
celebration was heard across the land. Hibernia
was saved thanks to the devotion of Allister to the
goddess Anu and the work of the Tuatha de Anu.
Chapter 3: The Fall of the Veil
A thousand seasons passed and relations between
the Tuatha and the races of Hibernia were
strengthening. For they knew that if the veil should
fall it would be up to the races of Hibernia to
defend their land. While the Lurikeen, Celts, and
Elves agreed to the alliance the Firbolg remained
at war with the Fomorian and would not agree to
peace between the two races.
For thousands of years of war placed a thick
wall between the Firbolgs and Fomorians.
Dagda offered his first daughter Brigid’s hand in
marriage to the Fomorian kings son Breas as sign
of new life between the Formorian and Tuatha.
The Formorian were pleased by this offer and
Breas and Brigid gave birth to a son by the name
of Ruadan. However the Firbolg were appalled
by this gesture. The fact the Tuatha chose the
Formorians before Firbolg did not help matters.
This did not last long, as before Ruadan’s 15th
birthday his own father Breas, out of jealous
rage sent him to his death in one of the most
meaningless battles ever fought. This caused an all
out war between the Tuatha and Formorians and
the Tuatha forced the Formorians out of Hibernia.
Now the Formorians can be found on the small
island of Hybrasil. Seeing this war take place
did however smooth over relations between the
Firbolg and Tuatha and finally the Firbolg joined
the alliance.
Meanwhile in the land of Midgard, a Stormur
Herra by the name of Garn was ordered to take
a small band of troops to Hibernia. They were
ordered to infiltrate the eastern shores of Emain
Macha, secure a fortress, and make contact with
a greedy Celtic rogue by the name of Kerwyn who
had agreed to steal the Bioran de Saorsa.
Garn set sail from the port of Mularn. Less than
a season later his ships landed on the shores of
Emain Macha. A cave quickly became their base
camp and was the arranged meeting spot for
Kerwyn. At the next full moon Kerwyn arrived late
at night by horse. He met with Garn and agreed
that in exchange for the staff Garn would give him
5 platinum coins and a home in Midgard in the
highest class neighborhood of the Midgard society.
Kerwyn spent many months observing the guard
cycles and patterns around Tùr na Tir na mBeo.
He noticed one guard had a tendency to talk with a
local rowan maiden a wee bit too much and talking
wasn’t all they were doing. He planned his entrance
around the guard’s scandalous affair, planning
to sneak in and out of the tower before he would
ever notice. His plan went exactly as he imagined
and by the next moon cycle he found himself with
the Bioran de Saorsa in his hand running riding
swiftly to Emain Macha.
Once again as winter came, snow fell on the hills
east of Ardee. Anu began having nightmares and
the Tuatha were called together. Dagda was sent
to Tùr na Tir na mBeo to check on the sacred staff.
When Dagda arrived he noticed the staff had been
stolen. In his rage Dagda struck the tower sending
it crumbling to the floor. The staff was gone and
worse yet the veil had fallen.
The search for the staff began however it was too
late. When Kerwyn arrived at Garns hideout he
was told that Garn asked he meet him at the village
of Failte. The tired and nervous thief made haste
to the small Lurikeen village. From a distance he
could see a cloud of smoke. As he neared the small
bodies of Lurikeens were scattered throughout the
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Chapter 4: Là na Bàs
land. It was an massacre and those who survived
the initial raid were captured, locked in their town
hall while the children of the village were locked in A cold winter night greeted the Stormur Herra
a cage and forced to watch their mothers, fathers, Garn as he set foot in the port of Mularn for the first
time in almost four seasons. Several other Midgard
and grandparents burst into flames and perish.
officials joined him as he marched to the capital
Garn rode into town with cynical grin on his face. city. The Midgard king Kaall anxiously awaited his
He dismounted his horse and walked over to the return. As he entered the palace he removed his
now shaking thief. He took the staff into his hand cloak and gave it to one of his servants. As Garn
and yelled something in a Midgard tongue. A approached the throne of King Kaall he wielded
loud uproar began and then an utter panic. Garn the glowing green emerald.
looked to the cage where the children were held,
and noticed the lock had been removed and the A legendary runemaster by Uald took the stone
from his hand. The King was most pleased by his
children escaped.
actions. Uald attempted to summon the power
The children arrived at Dun Crauchon and the of this legendary stone but failed. Several times
forces of Hibernia were sent to the village of Failte. he attempted and every time resulted the same.
When arrived they found the body of the hooded Something was missing he said as he looked to
thief stapled to the side of a burned out building Garn. He asked if there was more than just the
with a piece of the sacred staff shoved through his stone when he found it. Garn looked to the floor and
forehead and through the oaken log wall. Scouts then let out a roar so loud it scared even the king
led the troops back to the cave where Garn had set himself. He then looked at Kaall and apologized.
up camp. To their dismay the cave was empty. All He told him that it had once been encased in a
that was found was a few remains left over from staff and that the staff too must have contained
spraggons that had made a tasty meal at one time. power. He mentioned the staff had been broken
The Midgards had set sail back to the homeland in two. One half he still possessed. However the
to inform their leaders that the Veil had fallen and other half remained in Hibernia and its location
the most powerful stone that had ever befallen the was unknown.
hands of a mortal, was now in the possession of
The king was most displeased by this and sent Garn
Midgard.
along with five warships full of trolls, norsemen,
Fear and sorrow plagued Hibernia and King Fagan and kobolds to seek out this second half of the
was more interested in mining silver from the staff. The oceans were not kind to the Norse as two
Silvermine Mountains, than he was preserving his of their ships overturned on the way to Hibernia.
kingdom. The veil had fallen and the only thing The remaining three ships arrived near the old
standing from total domination was the people settlement in Emain Macha. When Garn set foot
of Hibernia and the Tuatha de Anu. When Fagan on Hibernia soil even the willow trees wept in
realized he might lose the Silvermine Mountains sorrow. For there was only one outcome in store
and all that lay within if he did not act to keep the for Hibernia, total destruction.
Midgard’s away he ordered a messenger to travel
to Albion to seek assistance from their neighboring Garn spent one month rebuilding he lair before
setting out for the first medium sized village. He
Island.
came across a Firbolg village by the name of Darag.
It was known that the War of the Realm had begun. By nightfall Failte looked like a carnival compared
Several strongholds were constructed to protect to Darag. This time Garn spared no one. He almost
the land and scouts were ordered to patrol all butchered the entire village, only a handful of the
coastal land constantly and to notify Fagan when Firbolg managed to escape. The chieftain of this
the Midgard’s resurfaced. It was only a matter of village, Rusg, was tortured and killed after he
would not speak of what happened to the second
time before the “Là na Bàs” or the Day of Death.
half of the staff. This was the largest massacre that
had ever fallen Hibernia. It became known as Là
na Bàs.
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Three more villages were plagued by Garn’s wrath
in the following days and word of his presence
arrived in Tir na nOg. King Fagan was furious that
Garn had disrupted his silver trade routes once
again and called upon their allies to the east.
Within a half a season Albion forces arrived.
The Albion forces were greeted by thousands of
Hibernians. The two nations combined an assault
and managed to push Garn’s forces out of Emain
Macha. Yet it was not over. As the Albion and
Hibernians pushed the Midgard forces back, fifty
more ships arrived unleashing yet more terror on
the nation.
the soul.
With the portals unleashing hundreds and
thousands of trolls and kobolds unto Hibernia,
the Albion drafted an idea to take over one of the
portals to allow Albion troops to move directly
into Emain Macha to meet the resistance head on.
Fagan approved this plan and the Hibernian and
Albion forces slammed into the southern portal
crushing its opposition. An Albion mage then cast
a similar spell that Uald used to create a gateway
between Albion and Hibernia.
Albion forces came by the thousands and joined
together with the Hibernian forces. Together they
crushed Midgard’s remaining settlements and
pushed them back to their last stronghold. The
fight would have been won if it weren’t for the
Black Plague that befell Albion. That is when the
real battle began.
Onboard one of the ships that had docked at
the Midgard settlement came Uald, a very wise
and powerful runemaster. The Midgard forces
constructed two strongholds in the east side of
Emain Macha. Inside these strongholds Uald
used an ancient summoning stone and a spell that
allows the bending of matter which allowed him to
Chapter 5: The Black Death
construct two portals that would allow Midgards to
flow into the land without wasting several months
The spring brought with it more than just color
at sea.
and warmth to the land of Albion. With it came a
Fagan quickly demanded the creation of two gates plague of which none had ever witnessed. It began
that would be used to halt the Midgard forces from in a small town outside of Lyonness. A local villager
entering Emain Macha. The creation of these gates came out of the woods terrified and barely able
did not go without blood being spilled. Hundreds to speak. His ramblings were so delusional that
of Hibernian soldiers passed to the netherworld people took him as a mad man who had too much
to drink. A wealthy man took him to the local inn
defending the gates construction.
and paid to his stay for the night. By morning the
The Tuatha de Anu were greatly saddened by man covered in black welts, his fingers had turned
these casualties and decided it was time to black in color and he lacked the strength to even
endow the soldiers of Hibernia with the same life move. By nightfall three of his fingers had fallen
giving power that Brighid possessed. The Tuatha off at the knuckle, and the welts on his body began
traveled to every major city and taught the master to burst, leaking a white substance. By the next
healers to use the town’s runestone to bring the morning he was nothing more than a mutilated
fallen soldiers back from the dead. Each soldier piece of flesh. That day five more people became
was then given a miniature runestone that would ill. By the end of the week, hundreds of Albion
bind him or her to their hometown’s stone. These men, women, and children were ill as well.
quickly became known as Bindstones. With this
innovation the Hibernian soldiers fought without The Albion king set up a stockade preventing
anyone from entering or exiting the east side of
fear of death.
Albion. In this great state of turmoil he ordered
However, there was one way that the spirit could be all of his troops to withdraw from Hibernia, as he
lost and not return to the bindstone. If by chance would need them to contain the illness that the
the miniature stone was lost or not on the body locals began calling “The Black Death”. The troops
of the fallen victim the body would be lost in the immediately pulled out of Hibernia leaving the
netherworld and permanent death would overtake fight up to their neighboring island.
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Within a month many of the Albion soldiers had
fallen victim to this illness. The king ordered his
best Alchemist to study this illness and find a cause
and a cure. He traveled to Lyonness to begin his
research. His research led him to the woods to the
south of Lyonness where he found a necklace that
had Ogham script written on it. This concerned
him as the nations relations with the Tuatha and
the Hibernian people had been peaceful for many
centuries.
The alchemist traveled back to Lyonness to
speak with the innkeeper who might have heard
something of the ill mans ramblings. When he
arrived the innkeeper had also fallen prey to
the illness. His journal was taken back to the
alchemist’ workshop where he read about the sick
man collapsing to the floor speaking of a tall dark
skinned beast, with an amulet around his neck.
The man said he swung his dagger at the beast
cutting its necklace off. Before he could escape the
beast cast a spell on him and then vanished.
greenish fluid. He drew his dagger and scrapped
a small amount off the bark and placed it into a
small satchel. He took it back to the lab to compare
notes. After weeks of research he found that it was
not the blood of a Firbolg or Fomorian, but that of
a Troll. The amulet was sent to a master of cultural
arts and he determined that the amulet was one
that was give to each Hibernian chieftain to protect
their village from harm. It was also noted that the
amulet came from the village of Darag where the
Midgards had ravaged the small Firbolg village.
This news did not set well with alchemist. He
realize by assuming something so bold he cause
a war between two peaceful nations. In the night,
the alchemist slipped into the Lyonness bell tower
and jumped from its edge. His body crumbled as
it smashed into the hard rock below. In the weeks
following the kings men packed their things and
returned home.
One season had passed and not much hope
remained in Hibernia. People began fleeing south
of the great walls of Druim Cain and Druim Ligen.
He looked at the amulet in his hand, which Every day several more cities were destroyed. It
possessed Ogham script on it and began making was only a matter of time before the Midgards and
notes. He wrote in his journal that the man was Albion would march into capital city of Tir na nOg.
rambling of a curse put on him by a tall dark
skinned creature that wore and amulet with the Seeing the unrest in the nation and the latest turn
divine language of the Hibernian Gods on it. He of events, Anu called upon the Tuatha de Anu to
went on to note that this was most likely a Firbolg meet with her once again. She had decided it was
or Fomorian and could possibly have been one of time to use the 10 Seeds of Anu. The last hope of
Hibernia.
the Tuatha.
He sent this journal back to the King and this cause
great unrest between the two nations. He asked
himself, how could the Tuatha bring this death
to the people who had been helping them. The
betrayal was too much to overlook. He ordered his
troops to attack Hibernia. The following months
became the largest wave of bloodshed Hibernia
had ever seen.
Chapter 6: The 10 Seeds of Anu
With the black death spreading across eastern
Albion, and the remaining Albion force amassing
in Emain Macha, Hibernia found they now had
two foes threatening their way of life. The king was
troubled and knew that if he did not put an end
to this, all of Hibernia would fall. He called upon
eight of Hibernia’s best scouts.
Albion and Midgard raiding parties ravaged the
hillside of Emain Macha. Folk of the land began
referring to Emain Macha as land of blood as
blood had stained so much of the land it glowed The first to arrive was resident of the city of Howth,
which could be found deep in the Silvermine
red in color.
Mountains. He was a young lad by the name of
Meanwhile, back in Lyonness, the Alchemist went Ethan Foghladha. Professionally he was a well
back to the area where he found the amulet. On known as the Lurikeen ranger that had previously
a nearby tree he saw what appeared to be a dark scouted many of the Midgard movements. King
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Fagan ordered him to scout the movements of the
famed Kobold shadowblade, Garn.
Alexis’ mind at ease. She had an ill feeling about
this that she could not seem to dismiss.
This news troubled Ethan as he had seen the
village where his grandparents lived destroyed
in a matter of minutes under Garn’s hand. He
traveled to his home in Howth, to his wife Alexis
and sons Banning and Alaois. Upon entering the
gates Alaois came running jumping in excitement
to see his father had returned from the capitol
city. Ethan kneeled down next Alaois and handed
him a bow he had crafted on his journey to Tir na
nOg. Alaois looked to him with bright eyes and
embraced his father.
Morning came and the birds began to sing. Alaois
packed his father’s bags and Ethan set off for Druim
Ligen where he was to be given his orders. As he
rode off, Alaois ran along side his horse wishing
his father good luck. Ethan looked back at Alexis
as she blew him a kiss and then rode towards the
horizon.
Meanwhile, in Bri Leith, the Tuatha de Anu
gathered on the hill they met at long ago. Only
nine members made it to the gathering as the
others were seeing to the removal of the Albion
His wife Alexis was the next to greet him. In her and Midgard forces. Anu looked over the nine
arms was his second son Banning, who while he war torn Gods and Godesses and stepped into the
was away took his first steps. Ethan leaned over center of their circle. She then held out her hand
and smiled at his son Banning and then kissed and chanted an ancient blessing on the 10 seeds in
him on his forehead. Alexis glowed with an aura her hand. She spoke of a prophecy, which was said
of pure delight. Her hair was as red as the sunsets that in the final days of unrest when all is thought
over the Silvermine Mountains and skin as fair as to be lost that there would be 10 seeds to rise up
beaches of Connla. He held her tightly as he knew upon evil and save the land of Hibernia.
it would only be a day before he must depart.
Anu passed one seed to each of the nine gods
Alexis had cooked a fine meal for him and they and told them to find one family each that could
discussed his orders over dinner. Alaois looked at handle the burden that the 10 seeds would bring.
his father with pride hearing as he was ordered by She also told them not to speak of the seeds to
the King of Hibernia to seek out one of the most the nine families, which they were to give these
famed Midgard’s to ever touch Hibernian soil. seeds. It was said that the 10th seed, the seed Anu
Alexis on the other hand wore a rather saddened herself would give would be told of the 10 seeds
face and was disturbed by this news. The time and it would be up to them to seek out the other
came for kids to go to bed and Alexis and Ethan seeds. The gods agreed, and they set forth on their
tucked them in and told them stories of the Gods epic search to find the ten families that would be
known as The 10 Seeds of Anu.
and Goddesses.
Alexis and Ethan returned to their room where
Alexis wrapped her arms around Ethan tightly.
She gave to him a necklace of badger teeth she had
made for him and in return Ethan gave her his old
bow he had used for years. He said he never threw
it away because it brought him luck.
Chapter 7: The Gaiscioch na Anu
Ethan Foghladha arrived in Druim Ligen on the
first day of the new winter. He reported to Caiptean
Lucas MacKerry III, and was given his charts and
That night Alexis and Ethan did not sleep. Instead, orders. His orders stated he was to travel to Emain
they embraced each other as they gazed up at Macha and scout Garn’s encampment to find out
the stars. Ethan took Alexis’ hand and told her how many soldiers were under his command. He
that no matter what, the Gods would protect her was to leave the next morning.
and be looking over them while he was away. He
assured her that he would be all right as he had That night he went to a pub in Ardee for a drink
his bindstone firmly fastened around his neck. before he long travels. Here he sat on his stool
He knew if by chance he fell he would be saved by thinking of Alexis and his sons back home. To his
the mages in Tir na nOg. However this did not set left he noticed a young Lurikeen lad sitting in the
101
corner. He had his steeple hat pulled so low than
no one could see his eyes. He was dressed in black
and had carved a dagger with a rose into his walking
stick. Ethan approached him wondering why he
looked so distraught. As Ethan approached young
lad quickly hid the engraving on his staff. With a
cough in his voice Ethan asked the boy his name.
The boy looked to him slightly without revealing
his eyes and said, “I do not concern myself with
names.” This statement confused Ethan. Ethan
slowly pulled up a stool to the table and sat down.
The Lurikeen seemed to grow uncomfortable to
his presence. Ethan asked the boy “What troubles
ye lad?” The Lurikeen moved his hand revealing a
name in his staff… Two words were inscribed on
the staff, “Fogair Garn”.
Ethan then knew this was one of the children of
Failte. Ethan asked the boy if he knew anything
about Garn that might help him find his lair. The
boy nodded and began telling Ethan about the
night his parents were killed. Several hours passed
and the boy and Ethan compared stories. It was
time at last for Ethan to rest and he asked the boy
one more time what his name was. The boy said
“you can call me Conchobair De Failte” Ethan
nodded at the boy repeating the phrase Fogair
Garn, which in the modern tongue means Destroy
Garn.
The next dawn came and Ethan once again packed
his things and set off on foot to Emain Macha. The
road was long and oftentimes wet. Ethan kept on
schedule arriving in Emain just before the leaves
began to fall. Ethan’s first stop was at the village
of Failte. There he placed a stone that Conchobair
had given him on the burned remains of their
town hall. Ethan noticed a piece of driftwood lying
next to a well. As he began to reach for it he heard
the sound of something rather large coming his
way. Ethan grabbed his bag and dove behind the
remains of a small building.
of the success of his mission in Albion. Ethan did
not immediately understand the depths of this but
then realized that this Shaman must have been the
cause of the Black Death.
Ethan then attempted to sneak out of the Midgard
encampment but a hunter had caught onto his
scent. Ethan looked at the hunter who was about
to fire his bow and before the Hunter could get a
shot off, Ethan drew his stiletto, and threw it at the
hunter splitting the string of his bow and stabbing
the hunter in the neck. The sound of the hunter’s
body falling onto the leaves that had fallen in the
night’s wind triggered the guard’s eyes. Ethan
began to run grabbing his dagger from the corpse
of the hunter.
Ethan ran but the trolls did not seem to tire. He
was almost to the Mile Gate, when on the horizon
stood more than a hundred trolls and kobolds. He
turned to run the other way and noticed another
hundred trolls. He had been surrounded. A small
group of trolls moved in on Ethan’s position. Ethan
drew his bow and let loose a fury of arrows killing
six of the trolls. Ethan was down to his last arrow.
He barely could make out the silhouette of a figure
on a horse in the distance. He cocked back his bow
and let his last arrow loose. The arrow seemed to
be carried by the Gods as is roared through the
sky. A moment later the arrow pierced through the
figures thigh and into the body of the horse killing
the horse instantly. Ethan watched as the horse
fell to the ground crushing the figures leg under
it. Several large figures most likely trolls ran to his
position and removed the horse from his wounded
leg.
Next a group of six kobolds began to close on his
location. Ethan drew his daggers knowing that if
he was to die, he was going to bring as many as he
could with him. The group formed a circle around
him and began dancing around as if to try to taunt
Ethan. Ethan tossed his first dagger into the air
He sat there very still while a least a hundred trolls and reached for his spare dagger. The kobolds all
ran by. He peered out from behind the rocks to see looked up at the dagger as it soared higher and
the mark of Garn’s warband on the cloaks of these higher flipping end over end. A moment later
trolls. Ethan grabbed his bag and began following Ethan lunged and thrust his daggers into two
this group of trolls. They led him to a Midgard kobold chests then swung around slashing another
settlement right off the coast. As Ethan moved trolls throat then as the other 3 drew their axes
closer to try to get an accurate count another and Ethan threw his left handed dagger at one
group of trolls came marching into town. With this of the trolls piercing his skull as if it were made
group was a shaman. The shaman spoke to Garn of cloth. The second troll charged him and Ethan
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Ligen. The guards would not her pass even after
she offered them money. As she was leaving she
bumped into a young Lurikeen wearing a Steeple
hat so low that it hid his eyes. She apologized for
bumping into him and he grabbed her hand. He
placed a dagger in her hand and told her that Ethan
had given it to her. He went on to tell her of their
encounter and that Ethan had been seeking the
Kobold Garn. Conchobair then told her of a way
she can get passed the gates. Seems Conchobair
had been traveling back to Failte once a month
Ethan walked over and collected his three daggers to pay his respects. He showed Alexis to small
and awaited the next group. The shadowy figure opening he had dug to circumvent Druim Ligen. As
with the wounded leg began limping towards him. she exited the small cave Conchobair said, “forgive
Ethan waited in anticipation to get a good shot at me mi lady, but I do not believe I asked ye your
him. When the figure was almost in range an arrow name.” Alexis looked back to him and answered
pierced Ethan’s leg from behind causing him to fall “Foghladha… I shall be known only as Foghladha”.
to the ground. Ethan attempted to rise to his feet With that she turned to the long road ahead and
again and an arrow pierced his shoulder. Ethan fell marched off towards Emain Macha.
to the floor yet did not shed a tear. He did not rise
again. He laid there quietly asking Anu to protect She arrived in Emain Macha on the first night of
his wife and children. Two trolls approached him winter. The rains hammered Hibernia as if the
taking his bow and daggers. They sat him on his Gods were angry. Another day passed and she
neared the village of Failte. She found a few of
knees all grew quiet.
Ethan’s wooden animals he liked to carve while he
The limping figure approached Ethan and as he was away and began searching for clues to where
looked up he saw the wounded Kobold Garn. Garn he had gone. She found a trail of footprints too
drew his axe took a hand full of hair in his hand large to human and followed them. By daybreak
and swung. Garn raised Ethan’s head and roared. she was at the Midgard encampment. She counted
Ethan’s limp body fell to the floor and a loud roar at least two hundred Midgards and decided it
would be best to take the slowly.
could be heard as far as the mile gate.
evaded his charge by spinning away. As the kobold
passed Ethan he threw his second dagger into the
spine of the kobold. The last kobold looked around
at all his fallen comrades and the lone Lurikeen
standing there empty handed. The troll smiled and
then began laughing furiously. Ethan then placed
his hand behind his back catching the dagger he
had tossed into the air. The last kobold opened his
eyes to see a dagger sticking out of his skull. His
vision turned red and he fell to the floor.
Then next morning another scout opened the mile
gate to see a box sitting in front of it. He opened
this box and began go gasp. It was Ethan’s head,
all which had remained of him. His head traveled
back to Tir na nOg with a message written on his
forehead. This appalled King Fagan. He had his
best scribes try to translate the carvings on Ethan’s
forehead and sent a messenger to notify his family.
A couple days later the messenger arrived in
Howth and delivered the message to Alexis. Alexis
was mesmerized by the letter and literally turned
white. She went into her house and gave Banning
and Alaois a hug and kiss and told them that she
must travel north. She told them their father had
asked her to meet him. Banning and Alaois smiled
un-expecting and Alexis packed her bag and rode
off into the mist.
Several days passed and Alexis arrived at Druim
The first was mage that had left the camp to
empty his grog filled bladder. Foghladha crept up
behind him drew her dagger and slit hit throat.
She then took her dagger and cut his kneecaps
out of his body and placed them in her bag. She
then snuck back to the foothills overlooking the
camp and began sharpening the two kneecaps into
four arrowheads. By nightfall she had four arrows
made of bone and creped back into camp. She
watched as a patrol of 5 guards began to set out to
the woods. She followed the quietly.
As they entered the clearing one of them spun
around at the sound of a bow being drawn. He
began feeling cold and looked towards the ground
to see an arrow in his chest. The troll went limp
and fell to the ground. Before his body hit the floor
two more arrows flew through the air hitting one
troll in the chest and the other in the eye. The last
two troll drew their weapons and stood back to
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back. The creak of one last bowshot was the last
thing either of these trolls heard. An arrow pierced
both of their necks sending them into death before
they could even speak. Foghladha then took the
five trolls and gathered their kneecaps and once
again began carving arrowheads.
handed the young lady a solitary seed and said
“Where you find this seeds siblings, you will find
the hope of Hibernia. It is imperative that you seek
out the other 9 seeds and bring them into your
family, uniting all 10 families.”
The young lady shed a tear of happiness knowing
The next season Foghladha took the trolls out that there was hope for her two young boys. Anu
one by one taking their kneecaps after each kill. then asked, “What might be ye name young lady”.
The Midgard’s began fearing the legend of the The young lady paused and grinned and said
Nightwalker and rarely left the camp without “Foghladha” Anu looked curiously at Foghladha
an armed escort. By the time winter had begun and asked “Dost ye have no surname?” Foghladha
Foghladha had slain over two hundred Midgard’s replied “I had a name long ago but the loss of
and she had only one more that she desired. The my husband Ethan caused me to banish my own
Kobold Garn. She followed his movements for name. I want him to be the last to ever speak my
days and finally took her shot. For the first time in name. So I took on his surname as my own name.”
nearly two seasons she missed. Garn turned and Anu smiled and said “I happy to know that the fate
saw her and began to run. He managed to escape of our land lies in the hand of someone who acts
out of love. Love and friendship will be the reason
and fled back to Midgard.
Hibernia prevails. If you hold love and friendship
Foghladha ridden with sorrow went home. She above all else ye will succeed.” Foghladha nodded
had failed in killing the man that had slain her and looked to the ground with a slight blush.
husband and vowed to slay this Kobold before she When she looked up Anu was gone. She placed the
left this world. She set off for Carragh dé Earsadh amulet around her neck and turned to walk away.
That’s when she stumbled upon a little Lurikeen
to ask one last favor of the Gods.
named Anwell. He had seen the whole thing and
Meanwhile, The Tuatha de Anu began seeking was awestruck. He was stuttering as if he were
the 10 Seeds of Anu. The 9 Gods traveled far and freezing cold. Foghladha placed her hand on his
wide and the goddess Anu had saved one seed for head and said “believe what you saw for I saw it
herself. This seed was to be used to form the family as well.” Anwell looked into Foghladha’s eyes
that would bring the families together. It was at the and said, “If you will have me I would like to help
foot of the stones of Carragh dé Earsadh that Anu you find this family”. Foghladha agreed and the
noticed a young lady broken by rage and sorrow Gaiscioch na Anu was formed.
kneeled in prayer. Her husband had been slain
and she was left to care for her two young sons.
She had just returned from Emain Macha after
several moons of tracking her husband murderers.
Her rage had consumed her so deep that she had
lost touch with all sense of reality.
It was at this moment that Anu appeared next the
center stone and lifted the young ladies chin to
look her in the face and wiped a cold tear from her
eye. She said “Worry not my child your destiny is
not that of your husbands. You must find strength
and prevail over the demons that besiege you.”
She placed into her hand a golden Amulet with
an embossed leaf upon it. On the other side was
carved the words Gaiscioch na Anu. Anu then
spoke “Take this Amulet and form a family so
great it could protect all of Hibernia. Do this in
my honor and the land shall be saved.” She then
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Welcome to the World of
ArcheAge
By: Amanda “Soren” Carr
As one of the most highly anticipated Korean MMORPGs
making its way to North America (rumored to be sometime this
year) Trion, alongside partner and developer XL Games, look to
breathe life into an epic sandpark MMO that promises to deliver
all kinds of out of the box fun and a game that you can truly play
how you want, when you want.
All players begin their journey on either the Nuia or Harihara
continents. From there they explore the world, cooperating or
competing with each other as necessary to survive. Remnants
of the Lost Continent, where the ancestors of the world’s races
lived together in peace two thousand years ago, still dominate
the landscape. If you explore deep into the hearts of these ancient
relics, you may discover the secrets of legendary gods and heroes
or if you are very lucky, you may reveal more details about the
catastrophe that caused the Nuia and Harihara schism.
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Build Creators &
Theory Crafters Unite! Classes & Skill Sets
ArcheAge presents a class and
skill system that can surprise
even the most veteran of MMO
players. With 10 interchangeable
skills sets and the ability to
have 3 slotted at any given time
once level 10, players will find
themselves with a whopping
120 unique character classes to
choose from. Have a warrior that
you want to control the undead
and give buffs via bard songs?
Go for it. Have a rogue that you
want to be able to tank and sling
spells? Go for it. Have an archer
you want to control the elements
and heal? You can do that too.
And you aren’t just limited to
one class either. Should you
wish to change and tinker with
you character class you can, for a
nominal fee, meaning if a player
wanted to they could unlock all
120 classes on one character.
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The game offers a simplistic
system to get players into the
game fast. By simply leveling
you gather skill points which can
be used to unlock various skills
within each skill tree. Skills are
then selected and a simple drag
and drop will allow you to place
skills on 1 of 4 unique skill bars.
Learned skills can be swapped
out at any time a player is not
in combat making choosing
abilities based on certain fights
or areas a player may wander into
a breeze. But it doesn’t just stop
there! Choosing skills that have
synergies with each other will
allow players to string together
powerful combos that can be
unleashed on their enemies with
sometimes devastating effects.
Alongside basic and combat skills
players will also have access to
21 Proficiency (Crafting) skills,
10 languages, and 46 emotes.
Factions, Guilds & the
Pirate Isles
In ArcheAge there are four
playable races spread over two
continents: the Nuians and
the Elves share the western
continent- Nuia, while the Firran
and Harani inhabit the eastern
lands- Haranya. All 4 races are
loosely connected by ties long
preceding the Exodus however,
allegiances are fluid and further
complicated by the Pirate and
player made factions inhabiting
the world. Aside from just
meeting up with fellow players
in your own faction, ArcheAge
goes out of its way to let players
group up and run with family
and friends in a more personal
way.
Families: Similar to a guild,
Families allow for smaller
tight knit groups of friends and
players ranging from 2-8, to
play with each other regardless
of faction. Families also have a
couple perks that make them
worth looking into such as the
ability to share property rights
(houses, farms, shipyards etc) as
well as a custom chat channel.
The family system runs parallel
to the guild system meaning you
can be in both a family and a
guild and gain all the benefits of!
settings can only be applied
to the East and West factions.
Currently no member cap.
Pirate Faction: Aye, shiver
me timbers matey! If pirating
be in yer blood ye should be
joining the crews of the Silent
Ocean! That’s right, if thieving,
stealing, bribing, pillaging and
plundering are your life’s calling
Expeditionary
Forces the Pirate’s Faction is for you!
(Guilds): Expeditionary forces Anyone who has been exiled
are the lifeblood of the game and from their current faction by
are required to explore deep into collecting 3000 crime points can
enemy territory, take and claim be a pirate. Crime points can be
land on the Northern Continent, gathered by committing various
move large amounts of trade felony’s in the eyes of you fellow
packages in relative safety, build players. Once the requirements
guild houses/towns/castles and for becoming a pirate have
declare war. In order to form been met you will automatically
one, players must be at minimum added to the faction and have
level 5, have a full party and the access to the Pirate Isles. Keep
required gold to create and are in mind that as a pirate your
limited to faction only members. reputation will precede you so
Expeditions are currently have keep an eye out for other greedy
no cap on alpha but that may pirates, trade escorts, players
and bounty hunters. Currently
change yet.
no member cap.
Player Factions (Nation):
The Justice System
Ambition is key! What good are
guilds if you can’t join forces As an MMO with a high amount
with like minded others? With of freedom, you can bet your last
thoughts of expansion firmly in copper that ArcheAge has quite
your mind, and alliances to plot a few players who are less than
and plan, it’s time to usher in a new
era of national independence!
Any guild owning territory on
the Northern Continent can
choose to run a special quest
and upon completion, have their
Expedition Force reborn as a
new faction. New factions allow
you to combine players of other
factions regardless of race or
previous faction. So long as they
are willing to join your faction
everyone will be one big happy
family. Player factions have
the ability to communicate and
establish independent relations
to other factions. Currently these
savory. Luckily there is a Crime
and Punishment system in place
to help keep things in balance.
Good Samaritans, aka fellow
players, may report crimes if
they happen to stumble across
or witness anything that could
be questionable. For example,
Murders tend to leave bloody
spots on the ground where the
event took place while theft
will leave a trail of footprints
to follow. As players continue
to commit various crimes they
will accumulate crime points
(shown in the character panel).
The severity of the transgression
will determine how many crime
points are handed out. If a player
has 50+ crime points they will
be sent to prison on their next
death. This is where the real fun
begins!
Upon awakening in jail, players
have the option of giving a guilty
plea for a maximum sentence or
if they are feeling brave, can go
up before a randomly selected
jury of their peers and attempt
to sway the jury in their favor.
Jurors are selected at random
from a pool of players over level
30+ that have volunteered for
jury duty and when selected, are
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Live Like a King - Player
Housing
The ArcheAge housing system
is a complex yet highly
entertaining open world system
that is accessible to anyone
playing the game, the same way
your house in the real world
is there and anyone can come
knocking. Leave a door unlocked
or a window open and don’t be
surprised if things tend to go
missing. Housing requires that
Since prison life isn’t meant to you have a few things in order
be glamorous and a deterrent before you can begin building
for future crimes. When a player such as blueprints and materials
is sentenced they will receive a like wood and stone. Blueprints
severe debuff that lasts until all can be found for various things
like, houses, farms, and castles.
time is served.
presented with a window listing
the accused’s crimes. They then
have the option to ask questions
and hear defenses in a special
chat window for trials (open
to the public). The jury is then
asked to vote guilty or not guilty.
The amount of guilty votes will
determine how much time a
player will serve and can range
from as little as 1 minute to well
over 726 minutes.
Players, while in prison do have a
few options to help pass the time
such as soccer, chat, dig, kill rats
and of course, escape!
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Mounts: Your first mount will
come from one of you early
quests, usually before level 7,
though you can also get various
mounts from merchants and rare
drops. When a player receives a
mount it is usually a baby and
will need to be raised until they
grow into furry companion.
Once fully grown, mounts can be
summoned into the world. They
have their own stat bar, skills,
exp, and equip slots. You can
ride them, feed them, or simply
have them follow you around.
Each mount comes with its own
special abilities so it is always
good to make sure your mount
matches your needs. Some
mounts include Elk, Deer, Bears,
Travelling in Style
Cows (yes you can milk your own
The world of ArcheAge is massive, cow), Unicorns, Donkeys and
with a huge range of landscapes Yata!
to seek out and explore. What
better way to get around the Gliders: Take to the air and
world than with a variety of enjoy a bird’s eye view of the
transportation options!
entire world! The basic glider
can be acquired through an
early quest and can be upgraded
through the crafting system at
various levels. Every glider has
some basic stats such as: Flight
speed, gliding ability, turning
speed, and decent speed. As an
added bonus gliders also have
a combination of abilities that
can do everything from improve
flight time to dropping bombs on
enemy factions.
Portals: Players have the ability
to quick travel to memorized
locations by using reagents
known as Hereafter Stones.
As you journey through the
continents you will encounter
Memory Tombs in various
towns that will let you record
your location and allow you
to set a recall point if desired.
World Portals on the other hand
are stored and saved in your
Boats: Oceans are just as characters teleport book. They
expansive as the land based areas can be used by simply opening
with tons of unmapped areas your book and clicking on where
ripe for exploring. Travel on the you’d like to go.
high seas can be dangerous and
rewarding and explorers will
Open Warfare - PvP
have access to a variety of ships
such as, rowboats, clippers, World PvP in ArchAge is quite
merchant ships, submarines, a bit different than your regular
MMO. Those that have played
war ships and fishing boats.
EvE: Online will be rather
Ground Transport: Enter the familiar with the open world
world of steam-tech! Roadsters environment – Think Null-Sec.
and Farm Wagons rule the Players that enter into these
roads and open areas and can areas can be attacked and killed
be an asset for fast traveling and by anyone depending on which
efficiency in trade. Keep in mind zone they are in.
traffic laws are non-existent and
PvP is largely dependent on your
accidents are common.
level and zone, and zones are
divided into 3 types:
Newbie Zones: can’t engage in
any pvp and pretty much safe
until level 31+ zones. Beware
pirates though
Same Faction Peace Zone: When
in these zones you can’t be
attacked by those of opposing
factions unless you attack first.
Attacking a player in this zone
means that only they can attack
you back making this an ideal
area to test your skills in 1v1
fights
Same Faction War Zone: Each
zone has 5 of these areas. When
they are in conflict or at war you
can be attacked by anyone in the
zone including your own faction.
After a certain amount of time
has passed the zone enters a
peace state where no one can
attack each other.
Open PvP: Open water and the
Northern Continent are always
at war so tread carefully.
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Pirate Faction: members of this
faction can attack anyone at any
time regardless of faction or
location. Being a pirate however
means you are not welcome on
the East or West continents and
you can be attacked by anyone at
any time including NPCs.
Eventually players are going to
be drawn to the hostile Northern
continent in search of riches
and more lucrative trade deals,
and in the case of Expeditionary
Forces, claim land for their
chosen faction. Owning land
does have its perks such as being
able to build a castle, build a
guild town and charge taxes
for those living there, gain rare
resources and of course gain the
ability to siege other castles.
if the defending guild brings
in mercenaries the attacking
guild is allowed to bring in
reinforcements after 20 minutes
so the battle has the potential to
be 100 vs 100.
and boss raids, combined
with the open world and ever
changing sandbox elements
of the market and pvp, means
Archeage has the potential to be
something fresh and unique.
PvP isn’t just restricted to land
however. Head on out to the high
seas for some epic unrestricted
naval warfare! That’s right! On
the high sea’s there is no rules
and anything goes! Not only do
you have to watch out for other
merchant ships, mercenaries
and pirates, you need to be extra
wary of things that lurk deep
within the oceans depths.
ArcheAge has a certain nostalgia
that older MMOs had, and brings
with it a lot of the older game
systems not seen since I first
dabbled in EvE. The world feels
alive and the community plays
an important role in shaping the
overall experience.
Throwing Everything
we know about MMO’s
Out the Window
So
far
ArcheAge has shown that
Sieges start off as 70 vs 70
with the defending guild it isn’t afraid to think outside the
having the option to hire up typical box. Standard themepark
to 30 mercenaries, however staples such as linear questing
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Currently the game is in its
Alpha stages with closed beta
set to begin sometime in June. If
you are looking to get in on the
action early and or just want to
see what all the hype is about
feel free to wander over to www.
archeagegame.com/en and pick
up a Founder’s Pack or sign up
for the beta!
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Welcome to
WildStar!
by: Beth “
Jae Onasi” Carlock
with Crystal “Kamia” Gates
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T
his newest MMO (massively-multiplayer
online) game by NCSoft, who also brought
us Guild Wars (GW) and Guild Wars 2
(GW2), just went live at the beginning of June.
For those who have been playing WildStar, it is
a fun romp through a new galaxy and focuses on
the planet Nexus. The two main factions are the
Exiles and the Dominion. The Exiles are escaping
the rule of the Dominion, like the Independents
in the show “Firefly” or the Rebels in Star Wars.
The Dominion is trying to maintain strict control
throughout the galaxy, much like the Empire in
Star Wars or the Alliance in Firefly.
The factions come together on one planet, called
“Nexus.” The adventures start on the ship and
landing zone and take off from there.
An Aurin Esper in the Exile faction
Who knew we’d find toilet paper!
While the story content is not nearly as fleshed
out as it was for each single class in SWTOR, the
stories are different depending on the faction
you play, and each class and race have had their
tales tweaked to allow a more unique fit into the
WildStar universe. If you enjoy witty banter and
lots of quips, you’ll love the dialogue in this game.
Setting up a character is straightforward, though it
might take you awhile to get through all the choices.
There are different server types: PvP (player
versus player), PvE (player versus environment),
and RP (role-playing) PvP and PvE servers. Each
faction has four different races and six classes. On
top of that, you can choose four paths. Paths are
designed to accommodate a player’s particular
style of gaming, whether that’s running all over a
map to learn every tiny detail or to build items for
personal and guild use.
This Draken Warrior is from the Dominion faction
The art style is bright and cartoony. This isn’t the
game for those who prefer to stick to pure realism—
it’s far more geared to light-hearted fun. The
details are hilariously over-the-top, and the quips
in game are worthy of the banter written for Han
Solo or Star Wars: The Old Republic’s (SWTOR)
Smuggler and Bounty Hunter storylines.
Faces can be selected from one of the templates and then further
customized. Enjoy the Jetson hair.
Like Elder Scrolls Online, there is tremendous
customization in skills and crafting in addition
to the classes and races offered at the start of the
game. While you may choose a Human Esper
at the beginning of the game, your character’s
gameplay may be entirely different from another
Human Esper depending on the skill trees you
select throughout the game.
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button for long to move their toon, such as those
with limited hand movements. Adjustments can
be made in the graphics and audio to help people
with vision and hearing losses so that many more
people can enjoy the game more fully. I give the
WildStar team kudos for putting so much effort
into being inclusive to as many players as possible.
Crafting materials won’t clutter up your main inventory bag, happily.
The combat animations are fun and easy for me
to differentiate, which is great since I’m terrible
at identifying these in general by sight alone.
Many of the combat options can be adjusted in the
settings if you prefer better immersion, and there
are numerous add-ons for the game, very much
like the add-ons that we can find for Elder Scrolls
Online. These can be a tremendous help for both
hard-core and casual players.
Quests are easy to find, and the quest markers were
clear, especially in the tutorial zone. The directions
were straightforward and the quest locations were
not difficult to find.
You can return to the quest giver or just call them from
your phone when you complete an objective.
One thing NCSoft has worked hard on is including
options for people with various disabilities. There
is a color-blind option for the three main different
types of color vision defects located in the combat
settings. Deuteranopia and protanopia are for those
with red-green color vision defects (deuteranopia
being the more common version—experiment to
see which works best for you), and tritanopia is for
those with the rare blue-yellow color blindness.
I also noted a ‘click to move’ option, which is
especially helpful for those who can’t hold down a
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JaeOnasi rescues five chattering veggies. Make sure
you have the sound on for this one.
While this is a subscription model game, the
developers have created the C.R.E.D.D. system,
where you can exchange paid play time for ingame gold and vice versa. People who have limited
“Real Life” funds can play the game, earn in-game
gold, and exchange that gold for more game time.
People who want to be able to buy items quickly
or need more gold for their favorite decorative
item for their house can use real currency to buy
in-game gold. This is similar to Turbine’s coin
system in Lord of the Rings Online to unlock
playable content or GW2’s gem store items—but
also imagine being able to buy more game time
with those gems. This makes WildStar more
accessible to those with limited funds and lots of
time to play, while allowing those with little time
due to Real Life work, school or family demands to
purchase some of their favorite skins and items if
they choose that route. While one can argue about
play-to-win issues if high-powered items can be
purchased with cash, I think NCSoft will work to
keep it all in balance.
The Gaiscioch family does not have an official
presence or guild in game, but a couple of guilds
from our Tuatha, such as Harbingers of Light, have
created a guild in game. Members of the family have
set up “Circles” on the Stormtalon server where we
can join in to chat, give and receive help, and share
items more easily. Of course, we can always chat
in RaidCall, too, and everyone is encouraged to
hop on and enjoy each other’s company. Details
on how to join a Circle are in the WildStar threads
on the Gaiscioch forum.
J: This game is REALLY quirky—the style
is kind of ‘Disney animated steampunk
While I had a chance to play the game in both open meets Firefly’ with its cartoonish graphics
beta and early start, I wanted to chat with one of and ‘space western’ theme. What are your
our members who had played WildStar longer favorite quotes or quests in game?
and had more experience with it. Kamia has
been enjoying the game, so I contacted her for an K: I am not very good at remembering quotes,
interview, and she graciously consented to answer but it is non-stop enjoyable. Most games I
skip the text to just quest, but in WildStar,
all my questions.
I am finding that I am reading everything.
Jae Onasi (J): What drew you to WildStar?
J: How do you feel about the C.R.E.D.D.
Kamia (K): I was invited into the very first beta, system?
and I accepted. I try to test one game a year
in order to have some input. I loved it from the K: I am hoping it turns out to be a good system and
start. I found the humor and the play style to offers a person a variety of ways to play and pay. I
be amazing. I loved the cartoony characters. haven’t seen it in action yet, since it is early.
It seemed like it would be a very fun game.
J: Have you tried PvP, and if so, how did
J: What’s your favorite class, faction, you like it?
pathway, race, and so on?
K: PvP is great fun. It is crazy and chaotic, which
K: I like the Exile (faction) over the Dominion. I love. The PvP reminds me a bit of World of
They are just looking for a home and trying to find Warcraft PvP with the various mission objectives.
their place in the world. My favorite race so far is It is very fast-paced and a blast.
the Aurin. I like the ‘cutsey woodsey’ person. My
favorite class is Spellslinger - I tend to favor ranged J: Are there add-ons for the game, and if
dps in any MMO that I play, and it has a wonderful so, what are the best ones and how can we
combination of spells and damage abilities, along find them?
with some nice heals. The pathway I have enjoyed
the best is explorer as I like finding every nook and K: There are many add-ons that help the game.
I have found mine from Curse. The couple that
cranny, and there is a lot to discover.
I am using are ZenRadar - which helps you find
everything from lore books and crafting materials,
AMP Finder - it helps you find all the AMP’s in the
game, and a Junk seller add-on that sells all the
junk with one click.
J: How is crafting?
One of the many lore books in game
K: Crafting is very unique. It consists of discovery
and playing a game of hot or cold. I did find it
very confusing to figure out on my own, but after
I watched a YouTube video on how to use the
system, it made sense and became easier.
J: What would be a good starter class for a
J: I saw that a couple players made level
new player?
50 in only a couple days on the Stormtalon
K: I think every class is good; it really depends on server. Do you think there will be enough
what type of play style a person enjoys. I say try content to keep players busy?
them all and see what sticks best.
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K: I believe there is plenty of content. WildStar
is not like most games out there. You hit 50 and
don’t just start raiding. You have to do adventures
first, then expert ones, then dungeons, then expert
dungeons, and many attunements all to get to
raids. I believe there is a lot of depth that exists in
endgame. It is not easy content, so the challenge
level is high.
for each class like GW, or is it dramatically
different in the way that SWTOR did so
well?
K: It is pretty much the same storyline for each
faction. The main difference is between the
Exile and Dominion sides - and that storyline is
amazing. The different races have small variations
of storyline, but it is nothing like the great
development that SWTOR did.
J: How do Gaiscioch members get together
in game, since this isn’t formally a Saighdear
J: What is the ‘best/coolest/most awesome/
game?
most emotional’ moment you’ve had in
K: There are many posts on the forums with game so far?
people’s names and what servers they are on. The
easiest is to add that person as a friend. Once both K: I have enjoyed every part of this game. I am
people are online at the same time, they can join really enjoying housing. The depth of what you
a circle - which is like a guild, but it’s for chatting can do is incredible.
and finding a group.
J: Do you recommend WildStar? Are there
player types who this game would especially
J: How did you like character creation?
appeal to?
K: It’s not bad; I would like more hair and body
options to really fine-tune what I want. There are K: I would recommend this game to everyone. It is
some good customizations, but it’s mostly on the unique and has a great development team behind
it. I love PvE, PvP, grouping, solo play, housing, and
face.
pretty much anything else. The depth and thought
J: How easy or hard is it to figure out the that went into this game is incredible. I think a
person that will enjoy the game is someone that
skill system?
doesn’t mind the cartoony style and appreciates
K: I haven’t had a problem figuring out the skill some witty, not always obvious humor.
system, but I have been gaming for many years
J: How is combat? I thought the game
and have played many different MMOs.
made it really clear where and when I was
J: WildStar seems to have tried hard to attacking or going to be attacked so I could
accommodate players with vision and other dodge (a good thing for me, since I have
disabilities (e.g., ‘click to move’ option, bad eyes myself), but it’s pretty obvious
color blindness options, and so on). Have and may affect immersion for others. Then
you used any of these or know anyone who again, I have all my combat settings turned
on, so that may be part of it.
has, and have they helped?
K: I think the combat is pretty intense. It is a game
that is meant to challenge a person. It is always
moving and changing. It is not a game where
J: Is the loot as quirky as the rest of the someone can stand still. In regards to that, the
developers made it very easy to see the big red
game?
areas of danger.
K: Yes, the names and looks of the items fit right in
J: The map system is very interesting—you
with the quirky, fun game.
can hit a button and an arrow and distance
J: How does the basic storyline play out marker will show you which way to go, kind
with the different classes? Is it the same of like a personal GPS. Do you like it?
K: I have no knowledge of these items - I know the
game has it, which I think is great.
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K: The world is big and the interface is very should! I think the majority will love it.
customizable. The maps have so much to do in
If you’d like to try WildStar, players who have
each zone.
purchased the game were given three guest passes
J: Anything you’d like to add or comment to share with friends, and we may still have one.
Check out the WildStar threads, and don’t hesitate
on that we haven’t touched on?
to message one of us to see if we have a pass left.
K: I think WildStar is a great game and think that We love to share fun games with family!
anyone that wants to come over and try it out
Discover the Legendary
Planet Nexus
121
122
The Witcher Series
Comes to an Epic Conclusion
By: Benjamin “Foghladha” Foley
123
A
124
s an avid lover of foreign film and
games, few titles have made my top
10 list from international developers.
The international scene is rich in story, innovation,
and gameplay. Yet traditionally lacks the domestic
marketing of mainstream titles. Too many
times these titles slip through the cracks and go
unnoticed.
Rivia as he hunts dangerous monsters that plague
the Nilfgaard Empire.
When you look back at games that have evolved
from books, there are very few that capture the
essence of the story and convert it into a visual
representation of the epic adventure within.
One Polish development studio took on the
development of a game based on the 1986 short
story by Andrzej Sapkowski titled “Wiedźmin”.
The story centers around the witcher Geralt of
At the helm of the game series is CD PROJEKT
RED, a Polish development studio based out of
Warsaw. There newest addition to the Witcher
series serves as the end of the Geralt of Rivia
“White Wolf” story. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, is
a mature, non-linear story with a vast open world
concluding the trilogy of epic adventure.
Over the years there have been 6 books published,
a Polish TV series, a full length feature movie titled
“The Hexer”, a comic book series, a tabletop game,
two card games, a board game, and a legendary
video game series.
The final chapter of the Witcher series features
more than 100 playable hours, 50 of which are
for the main storyline alone. Travel by horse,
boat, or foot across a terrain 20% larger than
Skyrim and 30 times larger than the Witcher
2. There are 36 alternate endings to this story
which all unfold in a cinematic series of events
capturing both the original work of Sapkowski
and the visionary minds of the CD PROJEKT
RED team.
Embark on an adventure through a mature story
driven by player decision, full of unexpected
events with memorable characters who both
aid you in your quest and plot against you based
on their own ambitions. This is the first of the
series to allow you to explore both by land and
by sea allowing you to traverse the previously
unreachable Northern Kingdoms.
With the 3rd part of this series they have also
introduced a living ecosystem that allows
communities within the game to behave with
such realism that the flora and fauna form
and react to in-game events. CD PROJEKT
puts all of their cards on the table for this final
epic adventure that has an amazing amount of
promise.
THE WITCHER (2007)
The story begins with Geralt reappearing after
being feared dead. He is found unconscious,
dazed and with only a vague recollection of
past events. This way, players unfamiliar with
Sapkowski’s works will be able to gradually
immerse into the fantasy realm.
Available on: PC / MAC
THE WITCHER 2:
ASSASSINS OF KINGS (2012)
If we know anything, we know that CD PROJEKT
has a long history of delivering compelling
stories along with it’s fare share of innovation
in gaming. The third installment of the Witcher
series will be the largest most ambitious project
to date using the latest technology.
Additionally if you fancy creating your own
world, REDkit allows you to mod the Witcher
series bringing into the game fan made
adventures and endless content to explore.
REDkit comes with each of the titles and allows
even the most novice user to create their own
world, quests, and world to explore.
The Witcher 3 is set to release on February 15th,
2015 for Playstation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft
Windows. If you have not had the chance to play
this exciting series be sure to head over to GOG.
com (Also run by the CD PROJEKT group) and
pick up a DRM Free copy of the first two games
which usually are on sale. This is sure to be an
adventure you will not soon forget.
In the second chapter of the Witcher series a
time of untold chaos has come. Mighty forces
clash behind the scenes in a struggle for power
and influence. The North Kingdoms mobile for
war. But armies on the march are not enough to
stop a bloody conspiracy. Someone is hunting
crowned heads. Every assassination attempt
intensifies the chaos, and might truly does
make right. Cruelty and violence become the
daily fare.
Available on: PC / MAC / Linux / Xbox 360
125
The Cast
GERALT OF RIVIA
You are a witcher, a mutant. The sooner you accept
this, the better. People will seek you out for your
skills, but you must know to disappear when your
presence is no longer desired. You are unique,
different. This puts you in the same precarious
position as non-humans who find themselves
impaled or hanging from nearby trees. That
they exist and are different triggers resentment,
animosity and hatred among common folk, who
will use any pretext to show them their proper
place. How is it then that witchers, while equally
non-human and different, do not share the fate of
these poor devils? The answer is twofold.
First, relatively few of you walk this earth.
Therefore, one is far more likely to encounter an
elf than a monster-slayer such as yourself. And
second, you possess a couple of rather forceful
deterrents, a solid sword and a simple set of life
rules.
Your blades are your lifeline. It`s therefore
unsurprising that your ability to wield them is
renowned, or that very few are keen or even willing
to risk their lives by engaging you in combat. Still,
your prowess has not led to arrogance. Neither
126
do you revert to force when it isn`t necessary.
As long as even a small possibility remains of
resolving a conflict by other means, you sheathe
your sword rather than tempt fate. However, you
are unrelenting and without remorse when you
must fight. You`re no saint, and not out to save
the world. Ultimately, you simply want to survive
while remaining true to your profession.
TRISS MARIGOLD
At first she was known as the owner of the most
beautiful auburn hair; a promising, yet modest
sorceress. When everyone thought that she had
died together with thirteen other magicians during
the Battle of Sodden, she was called the Fourteenth
of the Hill.
Thanks to her wisdom and courage she has
earned herself the title of King Foltest`s adviser
and nowadays no one questions her position in
magic and politics. The rulers take her opinion
into account, and young trainee sorceresses learn
about Merigold`s Hailstorm, a powerful spell
which stopped the rioting in Rivia.
The gates to the witcher stronghold, Kaer Morhen,
are always open for her. Geralt could always count
on her, together they defeated sinister Salamandra
and stopped the rebellion of the Grand Master of
the Order of the Flaming Rose. After the attempt
on the life of King Foltest, Triss and Geralt once
again work together. The sorceress can once more
be with her beloved man. Against all adversities.
DANDELION
The world needs heroes to protect the innocent
from evil just as heroes need bards to ensure
that their names are remembered, to sing ballads
about their heroic exploits and noble, albeit dopey
demises. Though roadside taverns are full of homegrown buskers who call themselves minstrels, only
a few actually matter, and Dandelion is arguably
chief among them. Calling him the greatest artist
among lovers hardly does him justice; calling him
the greatest lover among artists, well... dozens of
seduced women can`t be wrong.
Dandelion has been travelling with Geralt for
ages, and though it`s impossible to say how it
all began, it`s hard to imagine them going their
separate ways. Dandelion has a foul tongue, a
jester`s sense of tact, and an ego the size of a small
kingdom. These are the traits that would lead the
two companions to the scaffold were it not for the
swiftness of the witcher`s sword. Such is the price
of friendship...
ZOLTAN CHIVAY
Zoltan Chivay is among the few who can consider
themselves Geralt`s close friend. They met years
ago and very much by accident, when Geralt,
pursuing his destiny, was seeking Ciri, and Zoltan
was looking for a fight and a chance to get rich.
Amidst the turmoil of war, they saved each other`s
skins many times, which transformed their chance
acquaintance into a friendship that endures to this
day.
In breaks between bloody melees, Zoltan strives to
cultivate beautiful dwarven traditions that include
picking fights in taverns, losing his coin at cards,
or getting drunk as if there was no tomorrow.
Invariably curious about the world, Geralt has
often joined in these rituals, usually regretting
this the following morning, when a hangover
obliterated any doubts as to what had happened
the night before. Despite all, Geralt values Zoltan`s
friendship as well as the edge of dwarf`s battleaxe,
mindful that it is always better to wake up with a
splitting headache than to wake with no head at
all.
127
128
Star Trek Online:
Improving Over Time
By: Donald “Donaliam” Rush
129
On February 2, 2010 my dream of commanding
my own starship came true with Star Trek Online (STO) leaving Spacedock. I had only played
one beta weekend and was not able to play for
very long, so I didn’t know whether I would enjoy
the game or not. After purchasing the game and
inputting my code for a Star Trek Original series
starship, I began to play.
I enjoyed the space combat and was excited for
this game, even with the long queues and lag time
on launch day. Then came ground combat, which
killed my enthusiasm. The ground combat was
very clunky, and the reaction times were terrible
for an MMO. It reminded me a lot of a slightly
faster version of turn-based style of combat.
Since the ground combat was not enjoyable, I
tried my hardest to avoid these missions as much
as possible. That proved difficult since the story
missions required some planet-side activities. As
the rest of my free month went on, I became more
and more disappointed with the game, and so I
decided to cancel my subscription.
130
The Second Chance
About 3 months after launch, a relative gave me
a play time card for STO, so I decided to give it
another try. They had just launched their Season
1: Common Ground patch in March 2010, which
added some higher level content, new ships,
added captain skills, achievement systems, a
crafting system revamp and UI Improvements. I
tried the crafting system out and didn’t really get
into it. Some of the UI improvements made the
game somewhat more enjoyable, but the ground
missions were not that much better. I still was
not impressed and wasn’t really having that much
fun, and after a few more months, I dropped the
subscription again.
It was almost a year later when I came back to try
it out again. STO had launched a new 3rd person
shooter mode option for the ground combat with
their Season 4 patch. It was a huge upgrade, and
I decided to renew my subscription for some time
again. The ground combat was now playable in
the action shooter style to which I was accustomed playing.
Going Free to Play
Perfect World announced in September 2011 that
STO would be free-to-play (f2p) in the upcoming
Season 5 patch. The change to f2p occurred in
January of 2012. I know the f2p versus pay-toplay is an ongoing debate in the MMO community, but in this case f2p with a cash shop was a
smart move that likely saved the game. Gamers
could now buy ‘zen’ (the in-game currency) and
get special starships, uniforms, mini-pets, and
weapon skins. These ships were not any better
that the ones included in the base game, but they
were better skins. I know I spent some cash on
some of the starships as well as different uniforms.
First Expansion
November 13th saw the launch of the “Legacy of
Romulus” expansion which included the Romulans as a playable race. In addition to playing as
Starfleet or Klingon officers, players could now
start as a Romulan refugee trying to help establish a new homeworld following the destruction
of Romulus. Upon establishing the homeworld
players then had to decide to either ally with the
Federation or the Klingon Empire. With this new
race came a whole bunch of new ships to play
with, which is the most appealing thing to me.
Flying through the universe in the latest ship is a
lot of fun.
Continuing on into the
Undiscovered Country
What I find the most enjoyable about this game
is some of the newest ‘episodes’ that bring back
some old stories from the various TV series.
Perfect World has also brought back some of the
series actors for voiceovers in addition to Leonard Nimoy as Spock. Michael Dorn plays Worf,
Tim Russ reappears as Tuvok, and Denise Crosby
returns as Tasha Yar with some very fun story
missions. Star Trek Online continues to improve
with each new season, and I find myself enjoying
more of what the game has to offer. I personally
will continue the voyages of my starship, seek
out new life and new civilizations, and boldly go
where no one has gone before.
131
132
Star Wars Canon: Updated Version!
By Beth “Jae Onasi” Carlock
D
o you have the burning desire to argue
whether Darth Vader, Revan, or Emperor Palpatine is the most powerful?
Have you ever wondered if Revan would pwn
Darth Maul’s butt? (Yes) If you have, you’re a
geek. If you’ve ever debated these life-altering
issues on a Star Wars forum and brought up ‘canon’ (or ‘cannon‘, for those who prefer the artillery
version), you are a complete and utter geek. If
you’ve moderated a motley bunch of geeks, well,
you’re so geeky, your geekiness has reached a
level of nerd nirvana normally reserved for people like Bill Gates, except with a whole lot less
money.
As a super-moderator on one of these forums,
I’ve done two things. First, I’ve escaped being
made an administrator, because the Geek Factor
just might make the universe explode. Second,
I’ve moderated people who are fighting about Star
Wars canon. Yes, I said fighting. I’m not sure why
discussion of Star Wars canon can inflame the
level of hatred normally reserved for baby killers
and tax collectors, but it happens. If you ever see
a “Revan vs. X” thread on any forum, I guarantee
you that the “it’s not canon!!!11!!11!eleventyone!!11!!” argument will appear even faster than
a mention of Hitler in a political/religious thread.
“I’m not sure why discussion of
Star Wars canon can inflame
the level of hatred normally
reserved for baby killers and
tax collectors, but it happens.”
emails from forum administrators and moderators
who were ‘having to deal with too darn many
threads on arguments over Canon’.
1st degree Canon shall be The Movies. Radio
adaptations, so long as they include voices from
the Original Actors (and Actresses) shall also be 1st
degree Canon. The Screenplays are also 1st degree
Canon, but only if George Lucas put a ‘GL’ on
every page. The official soundtracks are 1st degree
Canon, because John Williams has included
the use of both the bassoon and the triangle in
his music, and quite possibly the krummhorn.
Anything spoken by George Lucas is first degree
Canon, including those more mundane statements
like ‘I want to order a pizza’ and ‘I have to find the
nearest restroom.’
2nd degree Canon shall include those radio
adaptations that deviate from the script slightly
After moderating a number of these threads, but still maintain the ‘True Spirit’ of the movies.
and surely not influenced by the level of 151 rum Those radio adaptations that include the voices of
in my cup that night, I decided to chime in on the Harrison Ford or Liam Neeson shall automatically
be changed to 1st degree Canon, because their
canon argument. This is my updated version.
voices are really sexy. If JJ initials script pages,
those may be elevated to 1st degree Canon, but his
Six Degrees of Canon
st
st
We
at
WookieWikiWarrickWicketpedia 1 degree is not quite as high as George Lucas’ 1
understand that we have entered a new era of JJ- degree, because he uses too darn much lens flare.
canon with the anticipation of Star Wars VII, VIII, Those adaptations that include excess amounts of
and IX (and possibly other Roman numerals— Jar-Jar Binks or Ewok cuteness shall automatically
we’re not sure). We wish to clear up the confusion be reduced to 6th degree Canon or less.
of ‘Canon’ in Star Wars by instituting a new
3rd degree Canon shall include any books
classification system on how to rank the different
that
George Lucas decides shall be 3rd degree,
Star Wars and Star Wars EU materials, despite
the fact that Disney is summarily ignoring the EU. which is pretty much everything else not in the 1st
This will replace the Canon-a, b, c and g system and 2nd degrees. It’s his world—if he wants to say
(along with other letters and symbols), which was a book is 1st degree or 6th degree, we shall bow to
becoming just too confusing, resulting in many his greater wisdom. The exceptions are the Vong
133
books, which shall be reduced to 6th degree or the
9th circle of Dante’s Inferno, whichever comes
last. All Star Wars games are 3rd degree Canon.
The Knights of the Old Republic games, because
they are Really Righteous, are 2nd degree Canon.
We hereby declare all permutations of Revan and
Exile to be Canon, because trying to pick just one
is really ticking off the fans. The Star Wars Lego
games would be 4th degree Canon because of the
‘cutesy factor’, except for the fact that my kids
really like the games, so they stay at 3rd degree.
figures are 5th degree Canon, unless they involve
Yoda, Han Solo, or Luke Skywalker. These are 1st
degree Canon because I like them and Frank Oz
rules.
6th degree Canon includes any speculative
posts on any forums. It also includes any nonspeculative posts, comments, jokes, pictures,
and other written, visual, or aural media. Jedi
Knight mugs are 6th degree, unless they contain
151 rum and/or Corellian Ale, in which case
they automatically get the fast pass to 1st degree.
4th degree Canon includes any comic books. Anything else not already specified shall be 6th
Graphic novels remain at 3rd degree because degree Canon, unless the author finds something
‘graphic novel’ sounds way more cool than ‘comic she really likes, in which case the Degree of Canon
book.’ The exception is the Knights of the Old may be altered accordingly. Forum posts that are
Republic comic book series, which is destined to written by administrators or moderators shall be
become a Graphic Novel when bound together, whatever Degree of Canon they desire, because
and because they’ve drawn Zayne Carrick really the author feels the need to suck up, unless George
cute. It’s at least 3rd degree, and we might even Lucas declares otherwise, because his 1st degree is
make that series 2nd degree if sales continue to be more equal than everyone else’s 1st degree.
good.
We hope this clears up any confusion about
5th degree Canon includes all fan-fiction, Canon. If you have any further questions, please
unless they are “Really Good,” which, by our send an email to our help center at ‘we won’t
definition, is anything with over 1,000 views on answer it anyway.idiocy’. We will do our best to
LucasForums.com or over 15 thumbs-ups on make sure that the answer to your questions are
kotorfanmedia.com. If they’re “Really Good”, answered with as much obfuscation as possible,
then they can, at the option of the administrators, preferably by someone who does not even speak
moderators or the author, move to 4th degree. The your language.
exception is if the spam-per-view ratio approaches
Thank you for your kind attention to this matter.
1:82, in which case the fanfic shall be declared
‘spammy’ and the fic drops to 6th degree. Action
Meanwhile, in Cyrodiil...
134
Best Brownies
By: Beth “Jae Onasi” Carlock
I
originally picked up this recipe,
“Best Brownies”, from the Columbus
Dispatch about 20 years back, and
it’s been the only one we’ve used in my
home since then. It was posted in my blog,
Confessions of a Geeky Mom.
It’s better than any box mix and just as
fast to put together. The challenge will be
not to eat them all before they cool off. Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease a 9×13 pan with oil or spray with
cooking spray.
Wet Ingredients
2 cups sugar
1 cup canola oil (vegetable oil is fine if you
don’t have soy allergen concerns)
4 eggs
1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup cocoa (regular, not the Dutch version)
1 cup chopped nuts, optional
It is dairy and soy free. If you like
male brownies, add nuts. If you have nut
allergies, leave out the almond extract and
In one bowl, mix together all the wet ingredients
nuts. I think this counts as a pareve recipe until smooth. In another bowl, mix the dry
for my Jewish friends, but someone can ingredients together, and then blend into the wet
ingredients. Pour the batter into the greased pan.
correct me if that’s wrong.
Bake for 25 minutes, or until edges of brownie pull
away from the edges of the pan. Do not use the
My friends and I contend that all the ‘toothpick test’ to check if the brownie is done, or
calories fall out when you cut the brownies, you will overbake it. When cool, cut into squares
but I suspect nutritionists would frown and serve, if you can manage to wait until they’ve
cooled. We never can.
upon us for saying that too loudly.
135
Ingredients:
Morning
Scramble
By: Jessica Hunt
Makes 2-4 servings
Basic Rib
Hat for
Children
or (Adults)
by Esther Foley - G-Ma
136
1-2 potatoes(any kind, medium size, chopped)
2 eggs
2 tbsp. taco seasoning
½ cup green bell peppers
(chopped)
½ cup onions (chopped)
½ cup cheese (mozzarella
or cheddar works best)
butter or oil (added as need
during cooking)
Needed:
Size 8 knitting needles
1-2 Skeins of yarn (1 for
ribbing/1 for main hat)
One yarn needle
Instructions:
1. Bind on 64(88) stitches with
size 8 needles
2. Knit one, Purl one for 10
rows or 4 inches
3. Then Knit one row and Purl
the next for 8(12) more
inches
1. In a 12 inch skillet, cook potatoes until they are tender
(about 10 minutes on medium heat).
2. Add in green bell peppers,
onions and taco seasoning.
Cook 2 minutes.
3. Add 2 eggs and cheese. Cook
till eggs are done completely.
4. For additional flavor add
sour cream and salsa.
4. To bind off, knit 2 together
for 2(4)rows
5. When you are done keep
about 16 inches of yarn and
thread a needle onto it.
6. Pull it through the
remaining stitches and sew
the two sides together.
You’re done! Be creative and
test out colors and yarns!
Anthropological Research Study
Hello again Gaiscíoch Family!
This is Michael Perez (Balry) checking in! I’m a
graduate student from Florida Atlantic University
(FAU) doing my M.A. thesis on online gaming
communities; remember me? I sure hope so! I
previously posted an announcement in issue 1 of
the brand new Gaiscíoch Magazine that offered
more details about my research project.
interviews please contact me - Michael Perez
(anthropology graduate student at FAU) in-game
(Balry.9450 or @balry) or offline through the
Gaiscíoch website or email mperez89@fau.edu.
This time, I am making a call to volunteering
participants for this research study. We are
looking for adult (at least 18 years of age)
Gaiscíoch member volunteers to participate
in an anthropological research study through
Florida Atlantic University. This study aims to
determine the elements that make the Gaiscíoch
family a successful community and to expand the
understanding of the border between the virtual
and physical space.
I ask that those of you who are bound under
NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements) please keep
in mind the information that you are not allowed
to divulge. I am not interested in any confidential
information regarding these agreements. This is
why I avoid questions that may touch on those
types of subjects.
You can participate in one of two ways: either
in a voice-chat interview or through an online
survey answering questions about gaming styles,
opinions about the Gaiscíoch Family, and other
demographic data. For participating in the
To participate on the survey please visit:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/
MMOGamingCultureReasearch
Details about the research project and risks
for participating are delineated in the survey and
interview consent forms. However, if you have any
questions please do not hesitate to contact me ingame Balry.9450 / @balry, via email mperez89@
fau.edu, or via phone (954) 588-3296.
Thanks for reading and your cooperation!
137
POPS’ MUSINGS OF LIFE
By: Wally “Pops” Anderson
y wife, Diane, and I decided to go to an early show to
see a new movie, thinking the crowds wouldn’t be as
bad. We arrived a little early and were talking during
the credits about our day. In came a young girl, followed by a man
whom we thought was her father. They sat one row ahead and
about two seats to the right. As they began to talk, it was clear the
man was her father and their family had come on hard times.
M
The young girl seemed mature
beyond her years. She consoled
her father that all would be okay
and that she loved him. As they
spoke, Diane’s eyes filled with
tears, thinking how fortunate
this father was to have the love
and support of this daughter.
You see, the young girl had
commented on how long it had
been since her father had taken
the time to relax. This young
lady reminded her dad of the
times past when they would
go to movies together, sitting,
talking, crying and laughing.
These were times she missed,
she knew her dad did as well, but
had dedicated himself fully to
correcting the ills the economy
placed on their finances.
enough to allow them to enjoy
this daddy/daughter date as in
times not too long ago. The father
expressed gratitude for this
expression of love, promising
the girl they would get back to
the good old times soon.
Next, entering while talking
on a mobile phone, was a woman
who appeared to be rushed and
impatient. She took the seat right
in front of us two rows down. She
had a combo snack with popcorn
and a drink as well. It became
obvious to us she was waiting for
someone, and they were to meet
at the movie. This woman was
“put out” that she had taken off
work early to meet this person
who was late. She had unkind
words over the phone; then we
realized she was talking to her
daughter.
have it all with no concern for
time or money, yet she had no
relationship of value with her
child. On the other hand, the
father, while perhaps having no
surplus cash, had a deep and
meaningful relationship with his
daughter.
The movie started as the
theater became dark. After about
fifteen minutes, this mother and
her daughter came marching in
through the doors. Their eyes
had not adjusted yet, so they had
difficulty getting to their seats.
The mother missed her row
and proceeded to sit next to this
father and his daughter. Now
they were right in front of us so
we could hear the frustration
in both the mother and her
It became obvious to us, they
daughter. They had words; the
had chosen the matinée because
daughter stated, “Mom I knew
the tickets were less expensive.
The mother stormed out of the this wouldn’t work. Let’s just
They had bought a small value
drink and popcorn and were theater. Diane and I remarked leave. Who cares about this
sharing it happily. This young at how the two families were stupid movie?” Shock registered
lady had saved her money experiencing totally different on the little girl who sat next to
from doing chores, to have just lives. The mother seemed to them as she was having the time
of her life and didn’t understand.
The mother had taken the seat
on the outside so the young girls
were sitting together.
“Have a generous heart;
it will serve you well.“
138
After
a
few
minutes
the
mother remembered she had
bought treats and looked over
to see where they were. She
was shocked to see the man
and his daughter next to them
were eating the popcorn and
had the drink. She bent over
and whispered to her daughter,
“That’s our popcorn they are
eating.” Her daughter said, “So
what?” But the mother kept
eyeing this family as they ate.
The young girl with the dad
could see the mother next to her
was talking about the popcorn
and wondered if they wanted
some. She leaned over to her
dad and said, “Daddy, I am
going to share our popcorn with
these people. I don’t think they
have the money to buy some
for themselves.” The father
responded, “Sure, ask them,
but be quiet so we don’t disturb
anyone.” This little girl reached
over, handing her bucket to her
neighbor in the next seat asking,
“Do you and your mom want
some popcorn?” The other girl
said, “No, I am good, thanks
though.” The mother angrily
reached over, “Certainly we want
our popcorn.” The little girl was
taken back but thought to herself
that they must be hungry.
when the mother asked if she
could have the drink. “Yes,
certainly,” was the response of
this girl as she handed it to the
lady. She then bent over to her
dad and said, “Daddy, we don’t
really need those treats anyway;
they are not having a good day.”
She reached over and held her
father’s hand. The lady kept the
drink and the popcorn. This
didn’t seem to affect the father
or daughter at all.
The woman’s daughter leaned
over to her mother and asked if
she could go and buy some candy.
The mother snapped back, “Yes,
why don’t you ask the family next
to us if they want something,”
stating it sarcastically. “My purse
is under the seat. Just hurry,”
she exclaimed. The girl reached
under the seat and was unable to
find the purse. Boiling over, the
mother leaned over her daughter
and said to the young girl sitting
next to them, “Did you steal my
purse as well?” Shocked, the little
girl clasped her father’s hand as
he said, “I don’t know what you
are talking about. Could it be
under the seat you had when you
came in?” “What are you talking
about,” this mother snapped
back at the father! He kindly
pointed to the row in front of
The mother kept the popcorn them and said, “This is the seat
on her seat and ate slowly. After you took originally.” The mother
a few minutes we could see the looked on the row in front of
little girl was wondering if she them and saw her popcorn and
would get the popcorn back, drink.
At that time Diane and I
became aware of what had
happened and were shocked to
see her reaction as she handed
back both the drink and the
remaining popcorn. “I am so
sorry,” she said. She was truly
embarrassed, as well as humbled,
by the young girl’s generosity. The
lady reached for her purse and
got some money out to give the
girl for her misunderstanding.
The young girl had no interest
and suggested she was happy to
share.
As Diane and I drove home,
we talked about how this simple,
yet profound, experience gave
us perspective on how easy it is
to misunderstand. This woman
thought the family next to her
had stolen, when, in fact, they
had given the “widow’s mites.”
We realized how often others
deserve the benefit of doubt
before we place judgment.
This is just a story; one I
wanted to use to illustrate the
following: Have a generous
heart; it will serve you well.
Know as we go through life our
impressions can be one hundred
and eighty degrees from reality.
Our
greatest
relationships
come through selflessness and
understanding. And, if we’re
lucky as we do so, we will find
that “What goes around, comes
around.”
“Our greatest relationships come through
selflessness and understanding.“
139
T
he Gaiscioch Family extends far beyond the game. Our members have a very
broad professional background extending from teachers to CEO’s. Our members
are involved in the businesses, organizations, and government agencies below.
We are very proud of our diverse community and support our members in all of their
real life accomplishments.
3M
Bernard Simulacao Gerencial
CW Technology
Franchising.com
ABB Inc. - Robotics
Bethel School District #403
Dallas Center - Grimes CSD
ACE Network Consulting
Bishop Investment Services
Dane Massage
Freeport Welding &
Fabrication, Inc.
Addtech Controls
Black Nova Digital
Decoy’s Dork Decor
Aditya Birla Minacs
BNP Paribas
Dell, Inc.
ADP Dealer Services
Bollinger’s services
Department of Defense
advantage metal Products
Boondocks PC Repair
DFW Honda
Advent International Corp
Bowman Consulting Group
Diebold Inc.
Air Transport International
Box Home Loans
DJO Global
Alachua County BOCC
BP
Documatik Limited
All Smiles Orthodontics
BreakAway ltd.
Duke Energy
Allied Arts
Brilliant Bees LLC
DuPont Spruance
Amercian Coalition of
Healthcare Recruiters
Buchanan First United
Methodist Church
Easter Seals
American Express
Bypass Mobile
American Red Cross
Calumet Park School District
132
Ankara State Hospital
Apples & Arrows
Apptricity
ArenaNet LLC
Arizona Supreme Court
Army
Asialink Realty Pte Ltd
AT&T
Atlantic Bay Mortgage
Atwater Aloha Floral
Barclays
Barrister Global Network
Baylor University
Beck et al. Services
Becton Dickinson
140
Campus Crusade for Christ
Cardomain Inc
CareFusion
CEB
Cerner Corporation
Chinook Pharmacy
City of Elizabethtown
ClarkBetty.com
Cogeco Cable Inc.
Collateral Intelligence
Comcast
Coram Deo Academy
CSG International
Cubic Corporation
Culinary Institute Virginia
eBay Enterprise
Edict Systems
Edward Jones Investments
EFFIIS
Eley Guild Hardy Architects
EMC
Exterran
Facebook
Faellin Angels Realm LP
Firestone Building Products
Fitzgibbon Hospital
Flagstar Bank
FLASH
Florida Cancer Specialists and
Research Institute
Flypaper Studio, Inc
Food and Drug Admin
Franchise Update Media
Fry Productions
Fujitsu
Geek Squad/Notre Dame
General Mills
Gerald Blakemore, CPA P.C.
Global Exposition Services
Government of Canada
GPC Company
Great Wolf Lodge
Harris Caprock
Harris Siding & Windows
Hawk Paranormal Scientific
Investigations
Hawt Websites
HCL Axon/Fortis BC
HDD Broker Inc.
Hillsouth
Home Trust Company
HP/Vertica
Humana Cares
Hunton & Williams
I.B.E.W.
IBEW Local 1141
IBM
IGT
Indie group with friends
Infor
Inserso Corporation
Insitu
International Paper
Nova Engineering
Self Employed (NS Vine)
UC Davis Childrens Hospital
Isolation Equipment Services
Nova Engineering, Inc.
Sep
Unique Useables
ITI INTERNATIONAL
TRANSPORTATION INC.
NYPD
Shaw Inc.
United BioSource Corporation
Odessa College
Siemens
United Parcel Service
Office Essentials
Signature Transcription
Services
United States Army
Jasmine-Dragon
Johnson Surveillance, LLC
Kazmarek Technology
Solutions
Kenedy’s Cakes and Donuts
Inc.
Kingsley Associates
Konecranes
Kroger
L’Anse Creuse Public Schools
Leslie’s Pool Supply
Lightyear Network Solutions
Lincoln Loop
Logic Technolgy Inc.
Looking for one
Los Angeles DHS
Lowe’s
M&S Technologies
Made Men Inc.
Magnolia ISD
McDonald’s
Media Bridges
Mercedes Morgan Photography
Micro Center
Microsoft
Mind Wrack
Mississippi Museum of Natural
Science
Missouri State University
Mobile Fire-Rescue
Mobile Sports Chiropractic
Montana State University
College of Nursing
Moran sheetmetal
Muler Pasific Labelindo
National Aviation Academy
National Title Network
Nav Canada
Navy Federal Credit Union
New Life Church
Nextek, inc
Nine Dots Studio
Nokia Siemens Networks
Norfolk Southern Railroad
Notnat Technology Services
Ohio EPA
Oklahoma Military Dept:
Construction and Facilities
Maintenance Office
Signs Manufacturing
Corporation
Simply Floors
One Point Home Health and
Hospice
Skyline Construction &
Restoration
Panasonic Avionics
Corporation
Smithbucklin
Panther Energy Company
PCM Inc.
Pender County Schools
Pink Zebra Home
Placer SO
Polaris
Premiere Inc
Professional Medical Writers
Promise Keepers Canaa
Proteus Europe
Quantum Security &
Innovations
QuikTrip
Radio Shack
Ref-Chem
Regional Manager for UPS
Reid Hospital and Health Care
Services
Reinsurance Group of America
RescueTime, Inc.
ResolveIT Computers
Retired
Robot Entertainment
Rogue Community College
Rogue Photos / KEDU
Romine CPAs & Associated
Round Table Media LLC
SoftFile DCS
SolutionSource
Sony Online Entertainment
Southwest Airlines
Spectra Tech Inc @ ORNL
Spencer Gifts
SplitZero Designs
Staples
State Farm
Steris Corporation
Steve’s Computer Rescue
University of Akron
University of Central Florida
University of Florida
University of North Carolina
Charlotte
University of Utah
US Army
US EPA
US NAVY
USAF
Vantiv
Verizon Conferencing | Verizon
Business
Video Game Auctions.com
Vishay Intertechnology
Waelwulfas dotOrg
Walmart
Stevens Transport
Washington State Dept. of
Early Learning
Stevens-Henager Online
Washoe County School District
Stewart Lender Services
Waterbury Public Schools
Stewart’s Market place
Wayne Russell Search
Consultants
Sutton Creative Studios
Talaria Press
Target
Technicolor and Throw the
Gauntlet Productions
Techpath
Techtell inc
Tellepsen Builders
Texas A&M University
The Boeing Company
The Last Frontier & New
Phoenix Casinos
We Do Windows Computer
Services
Weibel Services
Welcome Home Design
Wellcare
Westmark Industry
Whole Foods Market
William S. Frates II P.A.
Williams Buick GMC
Wireless Advocates
WIS International
The McGraw-Hill Companies
Wizards of the Coast
The Mirage
WSP
The North West Company
www.SKLURB.com
The Sawmill Ltd
Xerox
Schneider Electric
The Ultimate Software Group,
Inc.
Xyvid Inc.
SDL
Theres’s No Box
Seagate
Tool Using Monkeys
Seagate Technology
triumph
Self Employed
Tweddle Group Techologies
SanMar Corp.
Scentsy
Scentsy, Inc.
Schlumberger
Yellowknife direct charge coop
Zappos
141