Thursday, November 21, 2013

Seafarer's Research - part 1

Recently released was a new quest for fathomers. I have a fathomer which I don't use very much and is only moderately well dressed. When I first saw it mentioned as a news report I thought I'd better finish getting my fathomer a basic enough equipment set up to try out this new quest. The first thing I had to do was the rogue equipment set quest. The first part of this quest is meant to be easy - go to the Falcon's Nest Tavern in the Western Trade Route and talk to Matinah. The problem I had was I walked into the tavern without knowing that there was an inter-guild quest being run which involved multi-av mobs in the tavern as follows:
At the Bar of the Wild Boar
Considered the focal point of the Tavern by frequent patrons, to the dismay of a few of the wandering bards who stop to play music for donations, the bar and its bartender have become part of the local 'scene'. More than just a place to get drunk, the Falcon's Nest is considered by many to be a gem in the rough. A local tradition has it that anyone who rings the bell gets to buy everyone who is at the bar a drink. It has been said to be sure you have enough to cover the tab as well, or Marech does not take kindly to you. Behind the bar is a sliding wall partition that seldom sees the light of day. The bar itself is made up of a dark, well polished wood and has seen its fair share of sleeping drunks.
Exits: north east south northeast southeast
A long, well polished table acts as the tavern's main focal point.
A shining, golden bell hangs from atop the bar.
(Magical) A perfectly calm and clear pool of water is here.
(Magical) A mystical spring flows majestically from a glowing circle of blue.
The corpse of Harvey lies here.
A pool of spilled blood lies here.
The tavern's owner and bartender stands near the bar, serving drinks.
Marech is shrouded in flowing shadow and light.
Laheon Silzarou (Nx-Gn) is hovering here.
Laheon glows with an aura of divine radiance.
(Hide) Kily the Titled is hovering here.
Kily shimmers beneath an aura of dark energy.
(Translucent) Jutsanna the consummate Druid is hovering here.
Jutsanna glows with an aura of divine radiance.
Zanikr Bloodbane is hovering here.
Zanikr shimmers beneath an aura of dark energy.
(Invis) (Hide) (Translucent) Joandaxjimli is the sum of your fears is hovering here.
Joandaxjimli is shrouded in flowing shadow and light.
An enormous rabbit lounges at the bar, wearing a plaid vest of Celtic colors and a drunk look.
Harvey is shrouded in flowing shadow and light.
Harvey stands up form the bar and begins to yell at someone on the far side of it before realizing you have arived.
Harvey wonders 'What you be looking at? You never seen a big rabbit before?'
Harvey says 'I'm the real Harvey, I am I swear'
Harvey gets a nervous look on his face.
Laheon nods solemnly.

Oops... As I was multi-ing at the time I think I managed to totally mess up that kill for them. Oh well - not much I could do about that. In the end I completed the easy parts of the rogue set and now my fathomer is dressed as follows:
You are using:
<used as light>      Aura of the Righteous
<worn on finger>     (Magical) the ring of the dragons
<worn on finger>     (Magical) the ring of the dragons
<worn around neck>   (Magical) (Glowing) (Humming) scales of alpha & omega
<worn around neck>   (Magical) (Glowing) (Humming) scales of alpha & omega
<worn on body>       the Spoils of Thievery
<worn on head>       the shade helm
<worn on legs>       the black ring mail greaves of the Falcon
<worn on feet>       the black leather boots of the Falcon
<worn on hands>      (Magical) (Glowing) Blessed gauntlets of the Templar
<worn on arms>       the black ring mail spaulders of the Falcon
<worn about body>    (Magical) (Glowing) the Cloak of Royalty
<worn about waist>   [nothing]
<worn around wrist>  dance of the dolphin
<worn around wrist>  dance of the dolphin
<wielded>            (Magical) the black hilted sword "Shieldbreaker"
<dual wielded>       (Magical) the black hilted sword "Shieldbreaker"
<worn on ears>       (Magical) a crystalline teardrop
<worn on eyes>       the shades
<worn on back>       a thick piece of lizard hide
<worn over face>     [nothing]
<worn around ankle>  a turqoise anklet
<worn around ankle>  a blue, glassy chain 

It is all fairly basic equipment but is enough to make my fathomer usable enough to try out this new quest. After trying out a few different shipwrights in the realms I found out it was Noah the shipwright in  Camden I needed to see:
Camden Boatyards
Rolls of rainbow hued sailcloth lie stacked in the corner, partially covered by a dark green tarpaulin. Towering overhead, piles of lumber from the forests of the north stretch to the ceiling. Wood shavings litter the floor, centered around the skeletal frame of a boat that sits at the upper end of a stone slide that slopes gently towards two large doors at the back of the shoppe.
Exits: north
A heavily muscled man works solemnly at his chosen craft.
Noah the Shipwright glows with an aura of divine radiance.
Noah the Shipwright looks up from his work as you enter, a thin smile creeping over his weathered face.
Noah the Shipwright says 'Hello there Zenth, it is nice to see another such as myself, so in love with the sea.'
Noah the Shipwright exclaims 'Have I told you yet, of mah idea? It would change our craft for ever, I'm sure of it!'
Noah the Shipwright wonders 'I would need help though, would you be willing to help me?'
Noah the Shipwright says 'Nod at me if so.'
> nod noa
You nod in agreement to him.
Noah the Shipwright's face breaks into an enormous, toothy grin.
Noah the Shipwright exclaims 'That is most excellent!'
Noah the Shipwright says 'I have had this idea for a device, which would use the stars and the sun to direct a person around.'
Noah the Shipwright says 'However, it is too intricate of a design for me to create myself.'
Noah the Shipwright says 'I have, however, made these schematics of it.'
Noah the Shipwright takes a piece of paper out from his pocket, and waves them about with his grubby hands.
Noah the Shipwright says 'If you would be willing to find someone to build it for me, I would gladly teach you how to use it.'
Noah the Shipwright asks you, 'Will you help me?'
Noah the Shipwright looks up at you, expectantly.
You say 'I will help you'
Noah the Shipwright nods his head in excitement.
Noah the Shipwright says 'Wonderful. Here are the plans.'
Noah the Shipwright gives you a set of astrolabe schematics.
Noah the Shipwright says 'I would bet a blacksmith who lives by the sea may be able to construct it for you.'

The next stop was then in Eurion. This area is a little tricky to get to in that the way most people travel to it is via the ship Meridia . This involves paying a fee and then waiting until the ship gets to its destination. Once at Eurion the blacksmith there says the following:
Eurion Smithy
The heat from the forge fills the room. Immediately after entering, sweat begins to bead on the arms and brow of everyone that enters. The fishermen bring in parts for their ships for repairs and orders for parts to be replaced. The walls are decked with some of the finest of metals. A well-learned smithy indeed is one that has created such a collection. It's amazing the island doesn't give the appearance of a bit more sturdiness with such fine craftsmen around. A few of the villagers wander up and down the stairs that lead to the second story of this hut.
Exits: south up
Erneth stands over an anvil, pounding away at his work.
Erneth stops pounding on the anvil momentarily.
Erneth wonders 'Were you the one interested in the astrolabe?'
Erneth says 'All I need to see are the astrolabe schematics...'
> give schem ern
You give a set of astrolabe schematics to Erneth.
Erneth says 'Well, isn't this interestin'.'
Erneth takes the set of astrolabe schematics into his hands, and looks them over.
Erneth says 'These are quite the drawings here.'
Erneth says 'I could probably build this for you, but I would require some special skarn deposits.'
Erneth nods to himself, seemingly happy with his request.
Erneth says 'You would best look for those in the mines around Juargan.'
Erneth exclaims 'Those dwarves sure can dig a mine!'
Erneth says 'Bring me the ore, and I will see what I can do.'
Erneth continues his endless pounding at the anvil.

So next stop was the Kingdom of Juargan looking for some skarn deposits. This didn't take too long:
Dwarven mines
This section of the small shafts is a intersection of three separate tunnels. They lead north, east, and west.  A faint glow is within the walls of this small intersection.
Exits: north east west
> dig
You begin digging...
Your dig uncovered a rock containing skarn deposits!
> g ska
You get a rock containing skarn deposits. 

From here it was back to Erneth with the skarn:
You give a rock containing skarn deposits to Erneth.
Erneth looks intently at the skarn deposits, holding it up in the light to eye out the glint.
Erneth says 'I think this will do nicely, yes.'
Erneth says 'I will need some time to work on this. In the meantime I have another task for ya.'
Erneth says 'To complete the astrolabe, I will need a sea captain's dial.'
Erneth says 'I don't think I would have to tell you where to find one of those.'
Erneth grins as he begins working on the ore.
Erneth says 'I would try a sea captain.'
Erneth focuses his attention away to the task at hand. 

This is as far as I have gotten with this little quest. I think the sea captain's dial may be somewhere in Raven Tor but I need to do some more looking around there. Since I got this far in the quest I have been a little busy dealing with problems in real life and just haven't had the time/energy to give it a good look around but finishing off this little quest is one of my next aims.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Realms of Despair Blogs and Links

I started writing this blog for a variety of different reasons. These reasons included the following:
  • To give publicity to the Realms of Despair. They always want more publicity and every extra site with information helps to add to the community.
  • To record my experiences. This includes setting goals, sharing lucky breaks and information I find. It also includes adding to the history or muds in general as to what it feels like.
  • To let others know what I get up to on the game and give them ideas of things they can try.
  • To give a few pointers to newer players.
Today I wanted to share some links to a few of my favourite lesser well known sites with Realms of Despair content on them.

Satan's Haven
This blog is the personal blog of Damon's. I used to chat to him at all hours of the night. It seemed like it was always late for one of us when we chatted together. While there are a number of posts on this player's life outside of the game there are number of posts about realms related topics including Danbala, dog ears, various equipment, glory, leaving a guild, random logs, new area releases, helter skelter, Gorog's Watchdog, Ravenhill, and guild tension. This blog always made me think that I should start my own blog and I could make it how I wanted it.

Shadowflaymes Repertoire of Knowledge
The Shadowflayme Repertoire of Knowledge was put together by a fellow vampire. Some useful information on here though only a handful of posts.

Tharius' Blog of Despair | Adventures of a Disheveled Ranger
This is a blog that is updated on a regular basis. I like how it is written as telling the story of Tharius and his thoughts on various happenings in the game. Well written and provides inspiration for this blog to be regularly updated.

New Darkhaven - Community
The Realms of Despair community page on Google+ is added to on a regular basis as well with news and interesting links to relevant sites.

Realms of Despair brought teens together
Not so much as a site about Realms of Despair but a story about a couple of players. I do wonder whatever happened to them afterwards. Read it yourself to see what I mean.

Mari's Realms of Despair Site
Some of the information is a little outdated but I like the design and style of this site.

My life in the Realms of Despair
A flickr site with some screenshots of some rare items.

Zistrosk's zMud Page
I personally don't use zMud but this site has some samples of scripts and triggers that can be used with it to make the game easier. Scripts/triggers/aliases are one of the more complicated areas of the game. Being able to write some great scripts can make some of your characters into quite advanced bots. One reason I included this site is I love that he used a picture from the old commodore 64 game Druid on his page. Druids are the only class in Realms of Despair that I do not have an avatar of. I really should make one.

Mud on a Boat
A weird video. Maybe too much time on their hands but you can't question their enthusiasm. In retrospect not sure if I should have included it in here as a favourite link.

Again thanks for reading. Hope you get something out of this.