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Alyrian Yule Global Quest

Vassago — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 13:55:29 CST

Professor Silax is a fairly obscure magical scientist from the Towne of Sigil. Funded by a grant from the Council of the Arcane, he has been researching animal breeding experiments, in attempts to produce faster, more efficient, leaner, tauter animals. His latest experiments have focused on Lord Vendredi's prized pack animals, south Auryn reindeer. Magically tampering with their physical and mental prowess has produced very interesting results. An original sixteen reindeer were selected for the breeding program, with half as the control group. The other eight were made nine, after one of the control group proved himself too intelligent and rowdy to be tricked by pine wands, rather than yew. They were experimented on over a course of months, finally producing three quarters of a dozen super reindeer. The test was a success, producing capable, strong, responsible reindeer for towing Vendredi about the winter solstice nights, as he traditionally delivers all of his year's work worth of toys to children around Alyria.

In fact, not only was it a success, breeding the smartest, strongest reindeer possible, but it was too successful, allowing the reindeer to see their inbred inferiority and subjugation by the humans. Although never Lord Vendredi's intent, it was indeed true. The last test subject from the program, Charles, led a revolt among his fellow enhanced reindeer. Up, they levitated into the night sky, as they always have, only without their master's sleigh. Feeling vindicated, free of their social, zoological and physical bonds, they also freed their lesser kin, the hundreds of other reindeer raised in captivity since the start of the domestication of the animals. The original nine led their brethren through the sky, dispersing themselves back into the lands whence they came.

However, many had only known city life for their entire upbringing, particularly the young, and quickly gravitated towards the respective city centers of the continents they landed on. Viewing it as a temporary setback, rather than a fundamental flaw in their plan for freedom, the nine followed them into the towns, to help them adjust to life beyond the feedbag. Professor Silax, the director of the experiments, now needs help in gathering the creatures, to bring them back into captivity.

He has come up with a magical trap for the reindeer, which he has been giving out to anyone who offers to help him. The trap - operating under an alchemical spell - will attract the reindeer and magically teleport their organic matter back to Sigil, where they can be chained once more. To receive credit for their captures, their original laboratory tags will fall to the ground after their teleportation, and the tags may be redeemed by Professor Silax's assistants Snide, Bide, Wide, and Pride, who are located in the townes with the reindeer, attempting to corral the beasts. The trap must be outfitted with a special lure to work, however, and the list of lures that will attract them is somewhat limited. Professor Silax will sell you lure. You can see the various lures by typing SHOP LIST, and may purchase the one best suited for the type of reindeer you will be catching.

A special lure, the reindeer moss, is offered to help brave adventurers capture the illustrious silver reindeer, the fastest reindeer bred that did not receive neural enhancements.

The reindeer have been cleared from Sigil using the traps, but the Townes of Xaventry (where you will find reindeer for levels 11-60), New Rigel (where you will find reindeer for levels 61-120), Rune (where you will find reindeer for levels 121-180), and Tellerium (where you will find reindeer for levels 181-241) are still plagued with the antlered beasts.

Keep on the lookout for the lead reindeer, Charles Billingsworth III, and his fellow conspirators, Temper, Stamper, Doughnut, Mitten, Tulip, Steelwool, Stupid, and Pigeon. They have managed to make themselves immune to Professor Silax's traps and therefore must be fought to quell the reindeer resistance.

If you wish to change your class after receiving your trap, and need a new trap to accomodate this change, you may sayto Professor Silax "Exchange my trap", and he will give you a new one.

If you'd like to help Professor Silax, try saying to him, "I will help recover the missing reindeer".

An Alyrian Chronicle Special Report

Vassago — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:37:47 CST

It has come to the attention of this humble reporter for the Alyrian Chronicle that Professor Silax intends to open his research laboratory to the public on December 24th at 2:00pm (System Time) for a demonstration of his most recent technological developments. This reporter and most of the staff of the Chronicle are a bit concerned about the mishap that occurred last year when someone mistakenly unleashed a herd of magical reindeer, and earlier this year the serious bungle that released a plague of rabbits upon Alyria.

Although concerned that such a disaster may be repeated, this reporter wishes to give the esteemed Professor Silax a chance to redeem himself. According to the Professor's assistants, security has been tightened this year and we have been assured that the disaster of last year will not be repeated. Lord Vendredi has sent word that he is excited to see what new innovations the Professor has come up with to aid the citizens of Alyria, and will personally view the demonstration this year. The Professor's assistants have all confirmed that they will be present during the demonstrations to help with crowd control for the masses of people, who will no doubt be drawn by the incredible mixture of science and magick.

I speak for the majority of the staff at the Alyrian Chronicle, save those out on special assignments, that this will surely be an event to remember, and I for one, won't miss it.

-- Phalandrius Roost, Staff Reporter, Alyrian Chronicle

The Legend of the Bearded Gnome

Vassago — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 17:40:08 CST

As the Yule season begins each year, talk inevitably turns to the Bearded Gnome. While this has been a tradition in some areas for many years, he has been celebrated mostly in the countryside--the traditions only recently making their way to Alyria's cities and towns.

With five clockwork winged mules pulling his flying sleigh, the Bearded Gnome sneaks into denizens' homes during the Yule holiday, leaving behind gifts for the owner of the house. It is traditional in the Alyrian countryside to leave snacks out for him, as legend says his gifts are better if his stomach is full of cookies and milk. Some even leave presents of oil for his clockwork mules.

An Alyrian Turkey Hunt

Vassago — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:40:24 CST

GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE! It seems that a mad turkey has escaped Strecht's carving knife, and isn't too happy about the pending massacre! Turkeys have been disappearing from butchers' storehouses for weeks, with nary a trace of their whereabouts... but it looks as though the Mad Turkey has been gathering them for a full attack on the citizens of Alyria! Fortunately, the Adventurers do not stand alone in their protection of the world's citizens. The renowned Turkey Huntress has been brought out of retirement, and is currently holding court in Rune. Should any adventurers care to help her bring down the threat against our populace posed by the feathered foes, she should be consulted. Due to her long travels, however, she has not eaten in several days, nor have the Beltan refugees she was in the midst of rescuing when this global threat arrived. Should any food be found in the course of the battle, it would likely be appreciated most by the pilgrims new to Sepharia's shores.

Spies have uncovered the following information about the locations of specific turkeys:

Levels 2-35: a tiny turkey, appearing in Rune Forest, Sigil, Xaventry, and Tellerium

Level 36-60: a small turkey, appearing in Rune Forest, Sigil, Xaventry, and Tellerium

Level 61-120: a medium-sized turkey, appearing in Rune Forest, Sigil, Xaventry, and Tellerium

Level 121-180: a large turkey, appearing in Pirate's Cove, Diocletian, and Atlantis

Level 181-239: a huge turkey, appearing in Pirate's Cove, Diocletian, and Atlantis

Level 240: a plump turkey, appearing in Maldra's Keep, Pirate's Cove, Diocletian, and Atlantis

Level 241: a champion-sized tom, appearing in Hellbent Mountain and Maldra's Keep

Unusual Galliformes-Related Occurences

Vassago — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:03:02 CST

It has been reported that turkeys have been vanishing for the past several weeks from various farms across Alyria. While the Mad Turkey and his rafter uprising was defeated last year, it is rumored that one of his many offspring, who went into hiding after the failed attacks on several major townes were thwarted by the Adventurers of Alyria and the Turkey Huntress, may be gathering for another attempt at conquest.

All Adventurers should be on the lookout for these savage birds, and should another uprising occur, dispatch them with haste. It is believed an attack could occur as early as tomorrow morning around 10am, CST (Central Sorcery Time).

Be cautious, however, for the new Mad Turkey, as he is so-titled in honor of his father, is reportedly using potions obtained from the break-in that occurred in Silax Laboratories this summer to increase the turkeys' size, speed, and strength.

Yours in troubled times,
Lord Agrippa

A Rather Firm Yet Gentle Tourism Notice from Lord Vashir

Duende — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:43:34 CST

Attention, inhabitants of our fine town of New Rigel, and people of everywhere else!

In these economic boom times, most of us are doing well, but unfortunately, not all of us! Even on the streets of New Rigel, alongside merchants who are milking the bear and the bull for all they are worth, i see otherwise beautiful women, too malnourished to properly fill out their wonderful, er, parts; too poor to buy the makeup they so desperately need!

Even our small business owners are falling behind! This very last weekend, i was attending a conference on the, uh, well, a meeting on the, hmm. Scribe, cross this out, both last lines. Start the paragraph over. Even our small business owners are falling behind! One of my favorite former residents, Lady Solamentara, who emigrated southward some years ago, cannot fill her inn rooms each night, and has been forced to take on other, er, jobs on the side!

I would just like to take one moment to request all of you spend an minute of your day contemplating the sacrifices and hardships taken on by the poor women of our town, the poor girls that will one day grow into beautiful women, the old hags that with only a bit of spending money could become attractive, the poor husbands required to breed more beautiful women, and most of all, the poor business owners who ought be spending less time wondering where their next mortgage payment will come from, and more time visitng the finest parts of New Rigel, busy on tourism duty, if you know what I mean.

Feed the homeless, remember the undertrodden who drive our economy, and spend an evening at the beautiful tavern owned by Lady Solamentara!

-Lord Vashir

An Update From Lord Agrippa

Duende — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:37:32 CST

Loyal adventurers-

It has taken a significant amount of resources and investigation, but the Council of the Arcane is finally nearing the end of its research into the nature, opportunities posed by, threats pertinent to, and details of those entities brought into our universe by the tumult surrounding the bag of infinite depth.

Most recently, Archmage Glacius and his legion have combed through a vast mechanical monstrosity of the sort that the gnomes produce, but danker and darker and filthier. Churning unrefined petroleum out of the ocean bed south of Avros, when Glacius arrived, those months ago, the twin stations were empty, but for the corpses of their workers. The investigative team discovered the murderers, but refrained from doing anything about them.

In any case, those vast machines have been cleared of any possible negative trans-dimensional effects, and as such, they are now available for exploration. Glacius has declared him a neutral entity in this instance, and has left the matter of bringing the murderers to justice to the lords and ladies of Alyria, and our adventurers.

I hope that this news finds you well, and that you possess the strength and fortitude to survive the internal machinations of the steel beasts, should you journey there!

-Lord Agrippa

A Call For Assistance From Lord Vendredi

Duende — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:18:00 CST

Adventurers, I have a request for anyone anticipating travel in the unpopulated regions of Beltane in the near future.

Distinctly later than appropriate, Emperor Dicoletian has informed me of a mission undertaken by some of his elite warriors, several years back, to seek out and slay a pair of mythical dragons said to reside in the area. He has not heard back from them since their departure, many years ago. This information was recently declassified by his inner circle, as their fate has become clear by their prolonged absence.

If you happen across the dragons in the area, run away; if you happen across the remains of the Diocletian warriors, the Emperor wishes to give them a proper burial. That is all, thank you for your time.

-Lord Vendredi

A Warning To Sympathetic Adventurers From Lord Maldra

Duende — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:08:35 CST

Adventurers, a brief word of warning:

Earlier this evening, one of my constituents, Bjorn Irontooth, was kidnapped from his home in the bowels of the famed ship run aground on the western archipelago, the Magencia.

Some of you may mutter about the 'contested land' and 'accursed Agrippa', but to you, I say shut up. The attention-whore prince of Sepharia did not perpetrate this wicked deed; indeed, my crack team of Djinn were able to wish him home, and he is now safely back where he belongs. He has attested that no scurrilous son of Agrippa abducted him. Bjorn attested that a strange creature with metal skin and the voice of man sought him for slave labor, a curious situation without easy explanation.

This is not news of a solved crime, or even a fulfilled investigation, but a warning to report suspicious activity and be wary of your surroundings. The abductor's usage of the nexus spell narrows the list of known suspects considerably, yet simutaneously broadens the avenue of danger and vulnerability to future kidnappings. If you hear of anything strange occurring, be careful!

-Lord Maldra

All Spirits' Eve Aftermath

Vassago — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 13:26:02 CST

The evil armies have been repelled and the forces of the dark neutralized, by the actions of the citizens of Alyria, who rose up to defend their land during the invasion. Congratulations to everyone who participated!

Welcome to an Alyrian All Spirits' Eve

Vassago — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:15:31 CST

As the world of Alyria enters the dark half of the year, join the denizens of Sepharia, Beltane, Auryn, and Avros all day and into the night (9am October 31st through 12pm November 1st, Central Standard Time) on October 31st as they celebrate the cycling of the seasons... See the Druids of Xaventry as they allow their ceremonial solstice ritual to be viewed by outsiders in an extremely rare event... Guard the land from the evil that seeks to enter when the veil between worlds is thinnest... and when you're done (if you are still alive), go trick o' treating in the Townes of Rune, Xaventry, Tellerium, New Rigel, and Sigil.

Six armies have invaded our peaceful realm. The townes of Tellerium, Rune, Decara, Pirate's Cove, Seelie Castle, and the Palace of Diocletian have all been affected. In each towne there is a General who, protected by the evil powers he serves, sends his minions to reek havok in the land. You must help destroy these creatures of the dark, and protect our land!

Ravens fly throughout the realm, carrying mesages to the armies. Kill these dark birds and you will gain information on how to find the Overlord. If you are strong of heart and mind, journey to the Druids and return to them the items needed for their ritual and you will be taken to kill the evil fiend who has masterminded this attack. The location of the Druids' ceremonies this year is unknown, but some careful sleuthing should produce results.

Regardless of your strength or skill, all adventurers are needed. Enter the portals found in the invaded towns to find the evil minions who do not fear you. Slay them and return their equipment to the young druids found in the townes, so they may destroy it.

Other unusual characters, brought out due to the time of year, wander the streets and may offer you special rewards for assisting them with their tasks.

LEVEL GROUP: ARCHONS
A dark opalescent candle
A dark opalescent spellbook
A dark opalescent spangenhelm

LEVEL GROUP: 181-240
A dark opalescent bracelet
A dark opalescent whip
A dark opalescent amulet

LEVEL GROUP: 121-180
A dark opalescent kite shield
A dark opalescent belt
A dark opalescent band

LEVEL GROUP: 61-120
A dark opalescent gauntlets
A dark opalescent sleeves
A dark opalescent ring

LEVEL GROUP: 10-60
A dark opalescent leg plates
A dark opalescent boots
A dark opalescent platemail