Undead Invasion of FWI

[hockeyinheaven]

I don't normally voice my disapproval in a public forum, but this one needs to be aired. The pathetic attempt at some FWI undead storyline, which was run horribly, terribly under-promoted, and soley designed for adventurers 40-60 (at best), came to an even less climatic conclussion last night. Less than a dozen people were running around the jungles of FWI (who even knew that there were jungles in FWI) looking for some priest that was calling up undead. The great conclusion ended with the message that read something to the effect of "the force calling up the undead is gone and the undead have returned to their grave."

I have no idea who was running this thing, but there had to be terrible decisions made from top to bottom in the GSIV heirarchy. It's pathetic that the higher cost of premium membership couldn't bring about something of any more substance than this.

End of Rant

[Buckwheet]

Wow, most of the issues I hear were with the fact that there was no message sent to people who HAD access to FWI that FWI was under siege so they teleported up to be insta ganked. Interesting to see someone saying the opposite.

[Allereli]

I have no idea who was running this thing, but there had to be terrible decisions made from top to bottom in the GSIV heirarchy. It's pathetic that the higher cost of premium membership couldn't bring about something of any more substance than this.

it was bad, yes, but it was also her first attempt to do any sort of invasion/storyline. I'm cutting her some slack on this one.

[Buckwheet]

Actually I think its pretty cool we have a new person interested in running a storyline. So I can get behind cutting her some slack since it outweighed any inconveniences for me.

[Whirlin]

I was just annoyed by the fact that my lower level characters that I keep west of the Dragonspine couldn't transfer alchemy materials to Whirlin via FWI. So I lost a weekend of alchemy-ing thanks to the invasion.

But, i did slaughter a couple hundred skeletal giants to stockpile bones to make bone-shafted arrows. So... that was nice..?

[celtani]

Wow, most of the issues I hear were with the fact that there was no message sent to people who HAD access to FWI that FWI was under siege so they teleported up to be insta ganked. Interesting to see someone saying the opposite.

I was actually more annoyed that they DID send out a message telling FWI holders to come to town immediately that didn't include "Only make sure you don't get sheer feared by banshees or you'll be immediately killed."

I don't really blame Jainna, though, I think it was just a perfect storm of individual mechanics -- having big critters wandering around along with FWI teleporting you to a random room along with sheer fear along with the depart room not being safe. Mistakes happen, and dying isn't really a big deal. Just hope they recognize some of the issues and plan for them next time.

[Taernath]

Anyone have logs of the RP event?

[Methais]

came to an even less climatic conclussion last night.

Everyone had slight to moderate head injuries when it ended?

[Fallen]

The problem was flooding the main area with undead that never went away for an entire week. Couple that with no protection for you when you die and rot and it gets really ugly. Beyond that, it looked to be fine. I don't think the storyline is over yet from what I've read/heard, just onto a separate phase.

[Dendum]

I don't normally voice my disapproval in a public forum, but this one needs to be aired. The pathetic attempt at some FWI undead storyline, which was run horribly, terribly under-promoted, and soley designed for adventurers 40-60 (at best), came to an even less climatic conclussion last night. Less than a dozen people were running around the jungles of FWI (who even knew that there were jungles in FWI) looking for some priest that was calling up undead. The great conclusion ended with the message that read something to the effect of "the force calling up the undead is gone and the undead have returned to their grave."

I have no idea who was running this thing, but there had to be terrible decisions made from top to bottom in the GSIV heirarchy. It's pathetic that the higher cost of premium membership couldn't bring about something of any more substance than this.

End of Rant

I disagree that this was a bad invasion,
a) I think, from what we have heard before, that this is just an element in a larger story arch.
b) As someone said, though there were mechanic issues, it was a first attempt...not everyone can roll out the gate doing kenstrome's, and lets be honest even the people with a lot of experience do some pretty stupid things...like crash the entire server or accidently allow a main npc to die at the wrong moment.
c) It apparently taught you about the jungles in FWI.

I am sick of seeing undead in invasions though.

[Fallen]

These are sometimes popular, so here is a storyline recap from the current storyline.


Chapter One: Darkness Rises


Day 1 and 2: The winds were shifting, bringing storms and a strange smell of decay to Mist Harbor.


Day 3 - 5: Undead started popping up in the Western Harbor. The reason for them being there was yet unknown, but a High Priest named Sventhle showed up at one point to let people know he sensed a powerful object somewhere nearby and told everyone to look for it. He also sensed a great evil was growing. Players agreed to help look, and asked a lot of questions concerning the evil that the priest could sense. Unfortunately, his answers were rather vague.


Day 6 - 8: The undead increased in numbers and became a permanent fixture in Western Harbor. They also got stronger! During this time another High Priest showed up speaking of looking for a talisman as well. He also acted quite shifty and spoke of minions. Eventually he vanished, leaving behind more questions than answers. Shortly afterward, Sventhle came back and continued to try to get people to aid in his quest to find the talisman and stave off the lurking evil.


Day 9: A large scale invasion shook Western Harbor and broke through the gate into Mist Harbor itself. The undead roamed the streets, egged on by a mysterious voice that bade them to find the missing talisman. Eventually, the swell of undead calmed to a dull roar, leaving many behind in the streets, searching.


Day 10: The undead remain in Mist and Western Harbors, searching for the talisman.


Day 11: Priest Sventhle came to fret over the amount of undead in town and see if anyone had managed to find the talisman.


Day 12: The undead swelled again and the voice claimed they were much closer to finding the talisman. Priest Igolle revealed himself during the fighting, and gloated over his imminent victory.


Day 13: Another invasion, this time the undead headed into the jungle, finally hot on the trail for the talisman. Adventurers watched as Igolle performed some kind of ritual that opened a rift in space and time so he could pull out the hidden talisman! He spoke four words, "And so it begins," before vanishing. People regretted not killing or silencing him while they had the chance! With his departure, the undead in town vanished.


Day 13: Priest Sventhle turned up again and was dismayed to discover that Igolle had found the talisman. Many questions were asked and answered. Most notably, Sventhle believes the danger is not over as he can still sense the power of the talisman close by. He urged folks to pray to try to ward off the evil that has infiltrated the very air of the island like a poison. He said he would return soon after making preparations and purifying himself...


To be continued in Chapter 2: Come Into the Light...


~Just Jainna


The depart situation was also fixed. You will now arrive in Memnole's cottage, which is safe.

[Geijon Khyree]

I think she learned what works and doesn't from this so I'd take that as acceptable. The depart mechanic was tricky since it dropped you in inhabited rooms. I'd have liked to see bigger undead, but not in town as those were limited to level 8, 12, and 16ish after the initial concerns. I think she adapted properly and I'd cut her slack on those aspects.

All in all, while I didn't get involved, I bet I will next time as she improves on her attempts.

[Fallen]

4/26 - To counteract the power of the dark gods that now exists on the island in the form of Igolle and the talisman, Sventhle has returned. Sventhle arrived and set up the makeshift shrine near the wedding glade in Mist Harbor, saying he sensed the area was friendly to Liabo. He called people to come pray, and many did. Friar Memnole came to join him and spent some time telling of the legend of the wind temple that he'd heard, supposedly lost in a cataclysmic storm long ago. People were intrigued to say the least! Sventhle said once we've built up some protection through prayer, he'd return to mount an expedition.

4/29 - Sventhle met with players to search for the legendary temple. They prayed for answers and a voice told them to seek a holy place. They searched high and low in every spiritual area they could think of. Finally they returned to pray near the shrine and were rewarded with a golden glow in the area, signalling they were in the right spot! Eventually, Morden searched out the path and we entered the first two rooms of a Monastery. They rest of the rooms are blocked, but a voice told them they would open after people have "proven themselves" through prayer and perhaps killing undead.

5/1 - Sventhle met with players by the shrine once again and suggested making offerings to try to bargain our way into the new space of the temple. Offerings were given, prayers were recited, and the gods let them in a few more rooms, signalling them with golden motes of light. As soon as that happened though, a scream ripped out across Mist Harbor and the undead had arrived. Igolle was spotted running around and his voice taunted them quite a bit, gloating over his new power, thus leading the way in to...

Chapter 3 - Darkness Strikes Back...

Priest Igolle is at large, raising the undead in town and causing chaos. He attacked last night and was displeased that his undead were so easily vanquished by the brave people of Mist Harbor. He fled into Monsoon Jungle, commanding his minions to "protect the talisman."



Monsoon Jungle is now a hot spot for undead, as Priest Igolle has set up a watch, guarding his hiding place and his talisman. Tread carefully in the outskirts of the jungle, and even more so toward, and in, the interior.

~Just Jainna

This message was originally posted in Towns, Mist Harbor (Premium). To discuss the above, follow the link below.

http://forums.play.net/forums/19/225/2505/view/1242

[Fallen]

Segue to Chapter 3 was... 5/1 - Sventhle met with players by the shrine once again and suggested making offerings to try to bargain our way into the new space of the temple. Offerings were given, prayers were recited, and the gods let them in a few more rooms, signalling them with golden motes of light. As soon as that happened though, a scream ripped out across Mist Harbor and the undead had arrived. Igolle was spotted running around and his voice taunted them quite a bit, gloating over his new power, starting off chapter three!

5/3 - Igolle invaded Mist Harbor with many undead. Unfortunately for him, though, the undead were easily matched by the valiant effort of the townsfolk who rallied to protect their fair island refuge. Many adventurers prevailed, and Igolle was forced to draw back, calling on his undead minions to protect him and the talisman.

5/5 - A surprise invasion rocked Mist Harbor today, as undead streamed forth with no warning. People were quick to respond, however, and made neat work of dispatching most of the undead. But not before a few people perished! Although Priest Sventhle was present, he was distraught and unable to offer any help aside from calling for aid for the wounded. Igolle was heard mocking folks, his confidence returned, and kept unleashing more undead before finally seeming to grow bored with his game and calling his minions back.

5/8 - Another attack came without warning and folks were quick to scramble up some reinforcements. Priest Sventhle arrived to offer what little help he could... and much was revealed...

With tonight's events we have segued into Chapter 4 - Lightness Rises... Those who were there can spread the details of what was learned and revealed for those who were not. Or you will have to wait until our next installment with bated breath! :)

~Just Jainna


http://forums.play.net/forums/GemStone%20IV/Towns/Mist%20Harbor%20(Premium)/view/1249

[Fallen]

The latest installment of our storyline has concluded! Here's the timeline of what happened...

5/8 - Invasions abound in Mist Harbor tonight, and Priest Sventhle led some pious folks to the monastery to pray for guidance. A voice told them that when the evil was stopped, all would be revealed. The voice seemed to hint that something in particular needed to be found, but cut off after saying "ta-." Folks went into the jungle to search out Igolle's hiding place but could not find him. They found many undead and some mocking laughter, however!

5/9 - Sventhle sensed shadows that began to move toward Monsoon Jungle, and so did others! The shadows led the brave adventurers to Corpse Copse, deep in the Monsoon Jungle. They also led them to some larger, angrier undead! The explorers were able to find the entrance to a Dark Temple under a banyan tree. Once inside the temple they were met with peril in every room. A gauntlet of undead they had to cross. Sometimes they prevailed, sometimes they died. In the end, they caught a glimpse of Igolle beyond the fabric of space and time. Then a cataclysmic howl sounded and the area was flooded with undead from the jungle, down the path to Mist Harbor, and into town. Igolle was seen running through town. Eventually he taunted them, though sounding weak, and the attack tapered off...

5/10 - The previous posting did an excellent job recapping tonight's events! Another brief summation... Strange sounds in the jungle and some ebbing power surges drew the attention of people in Mist Harbor. They went to Corpse Copse to examine the temple, only to find many undead once again guarding the area. Amid strange power surges, ebbs, distortions, and cries of pain, the brave explorers prevailed! When they defeated the enemies in the last room, Igolle stepped through a rip in time and space. He only had a moment to rip the talisman from his neck before he was killed. Before anyone could try to loot his corpse, the talisman melted right through his hand and was destroyed by fire from Maetriks. Igolle was brought back to town and his only words were, "It drained me," before his body sank into the ground and disappeared.

Sventhle and everyone else in town could see a golden glow coming from the monastery. Everyone went exploring and a voice told them that the evil had been vanquished so all is revealed. The monastery is totally open now, and Sventhle invited some of his acolytes to come celebrate...

Leading us to the final, and best, chapter...

Chapter 5 - The Celebration!

~Just Jainna

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