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| 3/31/2006 | ASPIS'S WEEKLY HOUSE HUNT |
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| Join House Aspis for an evening of comradeship, trivia, stories, and just plain fun every Leyan (Wednesday). We combine all of this and much more into a Hunt led by members of Aspis. You can hack and slash in the safety of numbers and learn something to boot! Everyone will meet up at the front gate of House Aspis in Wehnimer's Landing at 10:00 PM by the Elven standard (EST). | |
| 3/26/2006 | RONE ACADEMY'S PLANAR SHIFTING WORKSHOP |
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At 9:00 PM EST on Olaesta 2 (April 2), Rone Academy and the Sorcery Community will present an advanced sorcery workshop on planar shifting. This event will be held in the Heart of the Art, a nexus accessible from many cities throughout Elanith.
Krastel will present a lecture with a special event related to planar shifting. 40 prizes will be given out during the event (20 to people who are levels 1-39 and 20 to people who are level 40+). They will be released to those who answer trivia questions correctly. There will be a special 740-related item of interest to everyone, though of particular interest to the winners over level 40. Guild work will be available after the event. |
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| 3/26/2006 | TWILIGHT AND SOVYN HOST HOLY RECEPTACLE WORKSHOP |
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Do you know how to turn silver into gold? Ever wish you could meditate like a cleric? What is "brimstone" anyway!?
Come join Twilight Hall and House Sovyn as they hold the first Cleric Workshop for the wondrous spell Holy Receptacle. We'll meet in the Nave in the Icemule Temple on Olaesta 16th (April the 16th) at 8:00 PM Elven (Eastern Standard Time). Demonstrations and orb gems will be provided. We'll also discuss all active tiers of the spell as well as its base use. |
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| 3/26/2006 | TAKING COMBAT TO NEW HEIGHTS |
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The combat system has been updated to take the height of players and creatures into account in new ways.
The ability to AMBUSH a particular body part of a target has been modified to take both the height and position (standing, sitting, kneeling, prone) of the attacker and target into account, rather than size alone. For instance, four-legged creatures will be considered shorter than a creature of similar size on two legs. The previous restriction that prevented Giantman characters from making aimed attacks on smaller targets has been changed to a more general check referencing base attacker and defender heights. The location of impact of a random melee attack will take the height of the attacker vs. the height of the creature into account. A Halfling will have a slim chance of randomly hitting a very tall creature in the head. They will be much more likely to hit that creature in the leg with an open attack. To compensate the shorter races, Dwarves, Halflings and Gnomes will receive a bonus to Defensive Strength (DS), as will creatures that are both small and short. Use the ASSESS verb to determine the height of your quarry. More information on this may be found in the Forums in Hunting and Combat in the Developer's Corner subfolder. |
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| 3/24/2006 | GEMSTONE HUMOROUS MESSAGING HUNT |
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Is B flat acceptable to you?
Do you have a positive attitude? Do people respect your authorit-ay? Then the GemStone Humorous Messaging Hunt may be just the thing for you! It's your chance to find entertaining messaging in the world of GemStone and earn recognition! The rules are: * Only system messaging is applicable. Player created messaging is not allowed. * The messaging must be described in sufficient detail that the judges can verify it. Simply stating the message received may not be sufficient, be sure to describe how you caused the messaging. * Sharing of messaging is allowed; however, note the scoring details below. * Teams are allowed. On your submissions, simply state the members of the team for whom the submission is counted. Any submissions for a team will not count as submissions for individual members of a team, and vice versa. * Multiple submissions may be made and all messages from all submissions will be counted; however, note the scoring details below. * Whether a message is humorous will be based solely on the judges' evaluation. Players or teams will score points based on the following scale: * Each piece of funny messaging: +1 point * Any message which is submitted only once: +10 points * Any message that is submitted only twice: +5 points for each submitter * Any message which includes third-person messaging that is also humorous: +2 points * Each submission beyond the first: -10 points Please send any submissions to [email protected]. All submissions must include the acronym GHMH in the subject, and the character name(s) and play.net account name(s) of the submitter(s). Submissions which do not include this information will be discarded without notice. Submissions must be received by 11:59 PM Eastern time on Saturday, April 15, 2006. The top three point achievers will have their character names and point totals posted to the message boards. The five funniest messages found, as judged by the judges, will also be posted. Please direct any rule questions to the General Discussions about GemStone IV topic of the Game Design Discussions category on the message boards. |
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| 3/23/2006 | THE CREATURES ARE GIVEN RANGED AND THROWN WEAPONS |
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A number of creatures across Elanthia have gained the ability to use ranged and thrown weapons. In general, creatures that are the equivalent of Rogues or Rangers should be able to wield these weapons.
Discussion of this gift to the creatures of the lands will be held on the Forums in Game Design in the Critters and Creatures subfolder. |
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| 3/22/2006 | THE BALLROOM IS NOT THE BATTLEFIELD |
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The House of the Argent Aspis and Beacon Hall Archive present:
The Ballroom is Not the Battlefield Do you feel a little awkward at formal events? Are you tired of being the wallflower at the ball? Are you never really sure what to wear? Convinced you have two left feet? Do you wish you knew how to ask that attractive someone to dance? If you answered yes to any of these questions, the House of the Argent Aspis and Beacon Hall Archive are teaming up to teach just the class for you! Join us on Restday, day 2 of month Olaesta (Sunday, April 2) at 9:00 EST at the House of Argent Aspis for the first in a series of ballroom etiquette classes. You will learn the basics of dressing for that formal occasion and apply your knowledge through contests and games for a chance to win prizes. Then, come back on Restday, day 9 of Olaesta (Sunday, April 9) for the second in this series of ballroom etiquette classes. You will learn some of the basic dance moves and a few more advanced steps. Following the class, show us what you've learned on the dance floor for a chance to win prizes. |
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| 3/22/2006 | RONE ACADEMY'S TALE BUILDING NIGHT |
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Enjoy a night of eating, drinking and creativity at Rone! One member of the Academy will begin the tale, and the other participants will take turns adding on to it until the ending -- be it tragic or fantastic -- is reached.
This event will be at 9:00 PM EST on Charlatos (March) 27 on the porch of Rone Academy in Wehnimer's Landing. To get to the porch, go east and south from the temple, down the path, through the yard, and up the steps. |
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| 3/20/2006 | INSPECT UPDATE |
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The INSPECT verb has been updated to allow players to view the base material of their weapons, armor, and shields. As well, players inspecting containers that have a single item size limit will now be able to determine what that limit is.
If upon inspecting your item you believe that the base material is incorrect, please ASSIST for further help. |
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| 3/17/2006 | WILLOW HALL'S HEALING HERBS WORKSHOP |
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Learn how and where to find the healing herbs of Elanthia!
Willow Hall is sponsoring a workshop on finding healing herbs. Whether you have never foraged before or you are an old hand having trouble finding the right climate for a particular herb, come join us on Volnes, the 3rd day of Olaesta (Monday, April 3) for an evening of foraging around Ta'Vaalor. Meet us in the Garden of the Ancients at 9 in the evening by the Elven time (9:00 PM Eastern). |
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| 3/14/2006 | MUSICAL INSTRUMENT GUIDE RELEASED |
| A guide to musical instruments in Elanthia is now available at http://www.play.net/gs4/info/instrument_alterations.asp. | |
| 3/12/2006 | RONE ACADEMY'S MONTH OF MYSTERY |
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Rone Academy invites you to join its members during Charlatos for a month of mysterious fun! Be sure to check the blackboard on the Rone Academy porch for a full list of events as they are scheduled. The Academy porch can be found east and south of the Wehnimer's Temple, along the path, across the yard and up the steps.
As always, Rone Academy will be hosting their two evenings of improvisation performance -- this year dubbed the "Espionage Extempore Extraordinaire" -- on the 18th and 19th of Charlatos at 9:30 PM Elven. Join the Academy for two evenings of improvisation contests! Come as a spectator, or compete for a chance to win prizes. 18th: Emotion and Verse games. 19th: Mime and Duet Acting -- so bring a friend! This year also marks the Fourth Annual Rone Academy Masquerade Mystery Dinner and Ball, which will be held on Feastday eve, the 25th of Charlatos (Saturday, March 25th), at 6 PM Elven time! Be sure to bring proper ball attire and your favorite mask -- and be on the look out for anything mysterious! Remember, many other events are in store and will be announced upon the day they occur. So keep an eye on that blackboard and an ear open for any Academy criers! |
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| 3/12/2006 | PLAYER SHOP DEADLINES |
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Player shops will be repossessed under two circumstances: first, for failure to pay rent; second, for failure to visit the shop for a period of 180 days. The deadline for failure to pay has not been changed. The website previously listed the deadline for non-visitation as 6 months, but the system counts 180 days rather than 6 months, and the two numbers don't always match up. The website has been updated to reflect the accurate deadline.
We encourage shop owners to visit their shops (entering through the portal) regularly, rather than testing the deadlines. We are currently developing the capability to put shops on hold for periods when a player knows he or she will be away (such as military holds). When that system is deployed we will announce the circumstances under which shops will be held and the means by which you can arrange for a hold to be applied. In the meantime, it's necessary for you to arrange for your character to log in and visit the shop, even during extended absences. |
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| 3/12/2006 | DEATH'S STING DOCUMENTATION |
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Upon being restored to life, a character will be in a weakened state, with all stats experiencing a reduction of 40%. The rate of recovery depends on how the character died and was restored to life.
Rate of Stat recovery for each type of death is as follows: Death with deeds and Resurrection: 4% per minute Death with resurrection, no deeds: 2% per minute Decay with deeds: 2% per minute Decay without deeds: 1% per minute. The Cleric spell, Holy Receptacle (325) - Chrism, can be used to mitigate this weakness, reducing it by up to 50% (to a 20% stat reduction). This will allow characters to prepare for emergencies, like major invasions, and be able to get fallen heroes back into the fray within minutes, if needed, but at a cost of a Chrism gem. Also, characters under level 10 will recover at twice the normal rate. In addition to the above, the character's Constitution will be reduced, with the amount based on the way that the character died and the number of times the character has died recently. Recent deaths are defined as those in the last 50,000 experience or 30 days, whichever results in fewer recent deaths. Players may type EXP to see their number of recent deaths. Constitution reduction for each type of death is as follows: Death with deeds and resurrection: 1 per recent death. Death with resurrection, no deeds: As above, +3. Reduced Health, Stamina, Spirit, and Mana recovery rate for the next 2000 experience. Decay with deeds: As above, with slightly greater reduction in recovery rate. Decay without deeds: As above, with the reduction in recovery rate for the next 10,000 experience. The modifier for recent deaths will be capped at 5; even if a character has a chronic death problem, the character will not lose more than 5 Constitution for a normal death with resurrection. The cumulative maximum reduction will be capped at 25. These points will be recouped at a rate of 1 point per 2000 exp gained. The Cleric spell, Holy Receptacle (325) - Chrism, may mitigate this temporary Constitution loss, reducing it by up to 2 points. Characters under level 10 will not lose Constitution for recent deaths. Characters will also lose any unabsorbed field experience at the time of resurrection. There is a means in which characters can recoup these temporary losses ... it is a puzzle for the players to figure out! |
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| 3/6/2006 | TA'VAALOR CONTEST FOR MARCH: THE FISH OF MISTYDEEP |
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Now that we can all hear Helgreth's fishing stories, it's time to start thinking about what fish really live in the Mistydeep River. As part of the expansion scheduled for release later this year, there will be a new fishing area along the river. This new fishing area will use the same fishing mechanics as at Veythorne Manor and Zul Logoth.
MARCH CONTEST: Design three to five fish (or similar) for anglers to catch in the Mistydeep River. Fish follow the standard 15/15/15 naming conventions and have a SHOW description. See ALTER 2, ALTER 4 and ALTER 5 for item design requirements and useful tips. If you have a view about whether your fish are top-feeders, bottom-feeders, or in-between guys, please include that information, too. One grand prize winner and two runners-up will be selected based on the overall quality of the portfolio of up to five fish. If you want to submit additional fish designs you are welcome to do so, but please indicate which five you want included in judging. The top prize is two alterations or one Gwyrraent-customized wig; runners-up receive one alteration. All entries become property of Simutronics. Send your entries to [email protected] before April 1, 2006. Please include your play.net account name and the character name who would receive any prize you are awarded. |
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| 3/5/2006 | THE ROAD TO RUNES - SPELL 740 RELEASED |
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Duration: Immediate
Type: Utility Thought to be hidden forever, the pathways created by the sorcerer known as Nameless, whose body now lies buried beneath ruins in Illistim, have been rediscovered. Nearly lost to all sorcerers, due to Triad's operative Vellinos' efforts, the knowledge has been recovered by the Council of Sorcerous Magic and incorporated into the rote spell list of their circle. Sorcerers successful in harnessing this magic will be able to scribe magical runes within the confines of a protective circle. A successful casting of spell 740 within the circle, will allow the sorcerer to travel the pathways formed by threads of mana running through the fabric of the lands to a chosen destination. |
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| 3/3/2006 | SNOWFLAKE CARNIVAL THIS WEEKEND IN ICEMULE! |
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The Mentor Society is hosting the annual Snowflake Carnival this weekend in Icemule Trace. For three days, events including snowball fights, will be held on the Snowflake Carnival grounds, which boasts a free skating pond.
Schedule of Events: Charlatos 3 (Friday, March 3rd) 9:00 pm Opening ceremony/The Snowed Inn Charlatos 4 (Saturday, March 4th) 1:00 pm Ice Sculpting 3:00 pm Nature's Treasure Hunt Begins Vultite Chef Contest 5:00 pm Ice Skating Contest 7:00 pm Snowman Building Contest 8:30 pm Cookie Roulette 10:00 pm Storytelling Contest Charlatos 5 (Sunday, March 5th) 12:00 pm Snow Tag 3:00 pm Nature's Treasure Hunt Ends 5:00 pm Ballista Tower Training 6:30 pm Cookie Roulette 8:00 pm Battle of the Sexes Snowball Challenge 9:30 pm Closing Ceremony/Dinner with performances All times are Elven. |
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| 3/3/2006 | SNOWFLAKE CARNIVAL THIS WEEKEND IN ICEMULE! |
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The Mentor Society is hosting the annual Snowflake Carnival this weekend in Icemule Trace. For three days, events including snowball fights, will be held on the Snowflake Carnival grounds, which boasts a free skating pond.
Schedule of Events: Charlatos 3 (Friday, March 3rd) 9:00 pm Opening ceremony/The Snowed Inn Charlatos 4 (Saturday, March 4th) 1:00 pm Ice Sculpting 3:00 pm Nature's Treasure Hunt Begins 5:00 pm Ice Skating Contest 7:00 pm Snowman Building Contest 8:30 pm Cookie Roulette 10:00 pm Storytelling Contest Charlatos 5 (Sunday, March 5th) 12:00 pm Snow Tag 3:00 pm Nature's Treasure Hunt Ends 5:00 pm Ballista Tower Training 6:30 pm Cookie Roulette 8:00 pm Battle of the Sexes Snowball Challenge 9:30 pm Closing Ceremony/Dinner with performances All times are Elven. |
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| 3/2/2006 | OBSIDIAN TOWER STORYTELLING SESSION |
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The mysterious Dhe'nar of the Obsidian Tower will open their gates to any and all who wish to speak with them. Come and listen to a riveting discussion of the Magi caste. Refreshments will be served and questions will be answered after the discussion.
Those attending should meet at the steps of Hearthstone Manor in Wehnimer's Landing at eight hours past noon by the elven standard. A guide will be provided. This event is open to all... even halflings. |
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| 3/1/2006 | SURNAME REGISTRIES ARE OPEN |
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The clerks in the Surname Registry Offices throughout Elanthia are done checking their records and the offices have re-opened.
People already possessing last names who wish to have exclusive use of those names are strongly urged to either REGISTER their surname, or ASK CLERK ABOUT RENEW, if the surname has already been registered. Be sure to register your surname before the end of March. If you fail to maintain a current name registration, and another player chooses to use your last name, there is no appeal. Keep your name registration current. |
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| 3/1/2006 | GOOD NAMES, BAD NAMES, YOU KNOW I'VE SEEN MY SHARE |
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A new verb is available to indicate a name that you feel violates the GemStone naming policy: BADNAME. The syntax is BADNAME {person} {reason}. From now on, please use this verb in lieu of the REPORT verb for the reporting of names you feel violate the naming policy.
The new BADNAME system has several advantages over using REPORT. Requests for name reviews through this system are stored until cleared, which allows better handling of names reported during off-hours when a GM is not immediately available to handle the report. The system will also automatically handle two common cases: the reporting of a character who has already been forced to rename but has not yet chosen a new name, and the reporting of a character whose name has already been deemed acceptable by the staff. In the former case, you will receive messaging to that effect, and in the latter case the reason for the name's acceptability that the GMs have recorded will be shown. When using the BADNAME verb, please be sure to fully describe the reason that you feel the name violates the naming policy. What is an obvious violation to you may not immediately strike the GMs who are reviewing the request. |
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