The Legend of the Thalassian Pirates

[*Neptune*]

Recently uncovered from an ancient scroll, I submit for your viewing
pleasure, and give certain notice. This historic scroll reads:

Many moons ago, in the great savanna that stretches across the
interior of the Thalassian wastelands, there lived a group of
nomads who lived in a small area that became to be known as
The Galavan Frontier. The Galavans had settled in that area
for over five hundred years without problems, but changing
weather patterns and migration of territorial predators had
forced the inhabitants of the savanna to once again move
their civilization in the interest of protecting themselves
from the bands of roving marauders and wild predators that
competed with valuable natural resources. Their numbers
dwindled and their spirits broken, then began the long trek
north over months of hard travel through the winter months.
Threatened with starvation and dissention, they came
upon a lush valley overlooking the Thalassian coastline
to the north.

As the Galavans rejoiced, the brave leader, Ibor, braved
the thick jungle that sprang before the coastline, traveling
to the undisturbed sands of the shore that rested at the end of
the base of a large, round mountain. As he and his comrades
reached the thundering tide, he fell to his knees in exhaustion
and praised the mercy of the gods. As Ibor laid there with the
foamy seawater in his beard, the tide grew and bubbled before
the adventurers, scattering the weak-willed men back into the
jungle. None remained except for Ibor who, in his age and
frailty, laid there on the beaches as the great waters bubbled
higher around his limp body. Suddenly from a monstrous spout of
algae colored water rose a magnificent serpent of shining
emerald scale high into the air like a lightning bolt sent from
the depths. Ibor gazed up at the horrible creature and his
great maw filled with four rows of gigantic, razor teeth and
prayed that his journey was not one that was forsaken. As the
great beast reached its zenith, it paused and began to speak.
"Ibor, rise my son. You who have braved the wilds of this land
fearlessly and without regards to your own life, selflessly
bringing your people from the dangers and sensing the changes
that the gods have decreed upon the world, are spared. My lord,
Neptune, has seen your hardships and blesses you and your
people with the gifts of the sea and all that it has to offer.
Take with you, now, the knowledge of the sea. Teach them the
way, pass the knowledge of Neptune's gift to your people and
rejoice. Never forget what you have witnessed. May your people
live long and your bounty never be undone!" With the last words,
the serpent turned and plunged back into the ocean, taking with
it the ferocious tide. As the tail of the srpent whistled
around Ibor's head, it struck him lightly on his back, and
slithered away.

Ibor, still dazed from the serpent's countenance, fell to his
knees and rolled over onto his back once more. With the midday
sun in his eyes, his mind began to work what seemed to be
miracles of invention. As he slumbered on the beach, he dreamed
of seafaring vessels and wonderful fruitfulness to be found
within the sea. The next morning, Ibor rose and took his
wondrous findings to the Galavan people, all who were amazed at
his ingenuity and stories. The people began to flood the
coastline and built many ships to bring the fish from the sea,
and feed their people.

Several years had passed, and the memory of Ibor lived on
through the Galavan people. They lived happily along the
northern Thalassian coast with little danger until one day,
when a fisherman was out on his usual trek along the coastline
fishing when the serpent appeared him as it did many years ago
before Ibor. "Fisherman of the Galavan people, why have your
people not praised Neptune's name? The gods have given you life,
security, and the means to fulfill your needs. Why then is there
no temple, no resounding visage of Neptune, he who bore you
from ignorance and feed you the bread of knowledge?" he said.
Stricken with fear the fisherman jumped over the side of the
ship as the serpent roared at his insolence. With a grave cry
of disgust, the serpent smacked the surface of the water with
its tail as the sea bubbled and boiled. Rising from the depths
and through the white, foamy turmoil appeared a ship, a great
frigate, like a shot straight from the watery bowels of Hell
itself. The sounds of the crew echoed throughout the bay as
cannon shot after cannon shot rang out, destroying the
fisherman's boat. One by one, the god's wrath hunted and sank
every vessel in the ocean that came near the Galavan coastline,
completely cutting off the people from any sort of contact or
food supply found in the ocean.

The Galavan people cursed the ship that wreaked havoc, but were
powerless to defeat the ship and its crew. Like a band of
demonic hawks, the pirates kept close watch over the Thalassian
waters, never allowing any sort of trade, and pillaging the
coastline and any attempts at rebuilding their life on the sea.
The Galavans suffered greatly over the next couple of years as
they quickly built homage to the great god Neptune and his gifts.
Then one night when the moon was full and bearing its gift of
light upon the surface of the mighty bay's water, the Galavans
gathered one last time to praise Neptune and beg him for
forgiveness with the gift of a temple, the serpent appeared
once more. Behind his massive body rising into the sky and
casting a monstrous shadow upon the beach and their pyres,
sailed the eerie frigate filled with a devilish crew chomping
at the bit. The emerald serpent's voice rang like a chime from
heaven upon the coastline, and spoke. "Galavan peoples, you
have done well. For two years, you have been been trifled with
the reminder that the gods' gifts are not to be taken lightly.
You took the gift greedily, and did not pay heed to the
Neptune's requests. Now you have risen most honorably and paid
homage. For this, I release you from your hardships once more."
With a slashing of the great serpent's tail, he struck the side
of the ship and capsized it upon a sandbar in the middle of the
bay. "Now, live free and prosper. Let this ship stand as
reminder that the gods are not to be taken lightly, for all
that is great comes from their will and their hands. Pay heed
to these words, and your people shall never dwindle." As the
serpent descended into the deep one last time, the people
gathered at the edge of the dock, singing hymns unto the god
Neptune, looking out over the bay at the reminder of their
insolence, and the power of the gods.

-Gemellus the Observant,
Excerpt from "The Galavan Migration",
The Year of our lord Neptune, 219.

[*Splork*]

*Immortals of SlothMUD*
--------------------------------
[ *Creator* ] Splork http://www.slothmud.org
[ *Greater God* ] Isabo
[ *Greater God* ] Chobbs strongly attuned to the afk stratum.
[ *WebMaster* ] Benq the AFK
[ *God* ] Neptune [JAFO]

[pri sec ter qua qui hex sep oct] Players
--------------------------------
[ *Scoundrel* Th:7.38 ] Cizin [Legends] blah Apirana.
[ *Hierophant* Cl:6.39 ] Toxis [Legends] Clan open for new members.
[ *Hierophant* Cl:6.31 ] Zuzu has paid off Tuk!
[ *Seer* Ma:5.39 ] Tuk <<M.A.G.I>> Shemale stolen my title. Blame her.
[ *Cabalist* Ne:5.30 ] Acme -
[ *Initiate* Mo:5.26 ] Skyv ~Dragonsworn~
[ *Ranger* Wa:4.35 ] Katie voted today, did you?!?
[40d 40o 40c 40w|31m 14n 12b 10t ] Jezer WTB/WTT Golden Yellow Topaz
[ *Seer* Ma:4.16 ] Belion collecting tokens...
[40w 40n 40c 40m| 0 0 0 0 ] Nobody nobody but you! *clap**clap**clap*
[40c 40d 40w 23m|10b 9n 8o 5t ] Norks ~Dragonsworn~ afk a lot today
[40t 40m 40c 23n|14b 15w 10o 8d ] Xxx xxX
[40t 40m 38w 20c|11n 8o 8b 5d ] Ferrum {Greedy} clan open for new members
[40w 38o 25c 23m|15b 12d 11t 11n ] Loew .
[40m 23d 14w 11c| 8t 4n 2o 1b ] Koios [Legends]
[39c 31m 24n 17d|15t 11w 9b 6o ] Tbg thanks norks
[30d 24m 20c 12n|10o 9w 7b 7t ] Mercy 84
[30w 20t 20c 14d| 7o 4m 5n 2b ] Lite [Legends]
[28c 20d 20n 11m| 8o 5w 5t 4b ] Yinao catchy toon, http://pi.ytmnd.com/
[20n 20d 20c 20m|20b 20o 20w 14t ] Mud is the name and the game.
[20w 20m 20c 20n|10t 8d 6o 5b ] Aslan wandering around town...
[20w 20d 20c 20o|17m 12n 10b 9t ] Mahkra [Legends] Cow and Chicken
[20n 20c 20m 19w| 1d 1b 1t 1o ] Rayne thunder and lightning
[20m 20c 20w 10o| 0 0 0 0 ] Kelgar eats tokens...
[20m 18c 10w 8d| 5n 3b 2o 2t ] Fergus the bold
[20w 18c 8t 0 | 0 0 0 0 ] Kmo the Untitled
[16d 6c 1n 1m| 2w 0 0 0 ] Madeline the Untitled
[13d 6m 2c 0 | 0 0 0 0 ] Effigia the Untitled
[13t 3b 1c 1w| 0 0 0 0 ] Nicolai the wetboy apprentice
[10w 5c 2t 2n| 0 0 0 0 ] Marvin prototype
[ 8n 2d 2c 0 | 0 0 0 0 ] Fire and Ice
[ 8w 2t 0 0 | 0 0 0 0 ] Trymunx the Untitled
[ 3t 2w 0 0 | 0 0 0 0 ] Naugh the Untitled
[ 2m 1d 0 0 | 0 0 0 0 ] Tiachel the Untitled
[ 1t 0 0 0 | 0 0 0 0 ] Lillith the Untitled
[ 1b 0 0 0 | 0 0 0 0 ] Uruz the Untitled
There are 41 visible players.
Highest total since last bootup: 41.


Neptune is leading 'The Fierce Fellowship' on The Island:
(Immortal) Neptune
(Immortal) Splork

Cizin is leading 'Cizin's Unstoppable Council' on The Island:
(Th:7.38) Cizin
(Cl:6.31) Zuzu
(Ma:1.23) Koios
(Ne:0.20) Rayne
(Th:2.38) Ferrum
(Ne:0.20) Mud
(Wa:4.35) Katie
(Th:3.23) Xxx
(Cl:3.23) Norks
(Ne:5.30) Acme
(Mo:5.26) Skyv
(Wa:0.30) Lite
(Wa:0.20) Mahkra
(Cl:6.39) Toxis
(Wa:4.40) Nobody
(Ma:5.39) Tuk
(Th:0.13) Nicolai

[*Splork*]

We would like comments on the equipment in Neptune's new area. Please keep them constructive. I think there were a few very nice items and I know the restrictions for some may need adjusting.

There was a damage reduction robe, a -1.2 max con helmet, and quite a few hand damage items. Remember that each area only gets a couple top flight items and the rest are fillers...

Splork

[blackmore]

The max_con helm was very nice. I'm curious how it relates to the other 1.2ac +con helm ingame (dark helm), since nobody's popped it in S4 yet. It was one of the items I expected to find had been changed to max_con, but now there's a 1.2 +max_con helm ingame already, and probably on a mob much more likely to be run.

The dam reduce robe is...odd. What good does damage reduction do if it causes your AC to go up? I don't think getting hit more often is a good tradeoff for taking less damage per hit. It would depend on the mob, but I wouldn't go after it.

None of the others were the kind of item that you would intentionally run an area to get, though some of it was worth having if you were in an xp group that happened to hit the mob. The rest was pure filler eq.

[jezer]

I'm unsure how much hp MAX_CON adds... but would like to point out there are plenty of good -1.2 helmets out there with +hp and in this respect I wonder if they are better than a MAX_CON helmet.

Its difficult to crunch the numbers, but I suspect a -0.5 ac robe is better than -0.3 with dam reduct.

I got the +dex +wis light, this was actually a piece of useful eq for me. And lights with a stat mixup are good ideas.

The monk gloves will not be considered worth wearing by serious monks, however a great little item for a valker during the bad hitroll years.

[Cizin]

I think its great you are working on better monk eq altho I think those monk gloves really need some upgrade. I liked Robert's crimson set especially taht corset. Can't wait to try it home at home behind closed doors !


I am not sure does Robert's load that crimson set every repop or not but maybe you should consider upping it little bit cuz it is an epic mob after all.

I really enjoyed looting bunch of junk eq , gathering my group at east gate and ID it one piece at the time. Those moments are precious !

Thanks for making it happen and can't wait next area opener !

Cizin

[Skyv]

It was definitely a fun group (thanks for leading Cizin) and I was given a few options for equipment at the end which was much appreciated. I ended up with the tri-cornered hat. I have to admit, I was hoping for a little more than a 23 hitpoint bump for the MAX_CON when that's my primary stat (maybe has something to do with my classo being all caster after monk?) but am happy with what I got.

I have the same question as Blackmore about a 0.3AC robe with +1 dam_reduction, seems like the ac would help more?

I also think the gloves are an interesting item. I can't remember the restrictions, but I wouldn't give up the hand-dam to switch to those from yellow-rose gloves. Might be good lowbie equipment as Jezer said.

The new equipment opens up a question for me that's been brought up before in terms of runes. As of now, socketing is permanent, which means there could be some serious remorse if you socket a hard-earned rune into what seems like the best choice at the time, and then some new equipment is introduced that would be a better fit. Is it within the realm of possibility to get some sort of rune unsocketing mob that charges an appropriately hefty amount (something similar to switching 3x40 equipment) set up to address situations like this?

Again, thanks again for the new area/equipment. All of us monks... well, at least all 1 of us on yesterday, enjoy the monk-type equipment and the drachma was a nice bonus for all.

Skyv

[Thraxas]

Is it within the realm of possibility to get some sort of rune unsocketing mob that charges an appropriately hefty amount (something similar to switching 3x40 equipment) set up to address situations like this?

well said

[blackmore]

A couple more thoughts...
+water_walk is an attribute that adds nothing, since it's a low level monk skill that pretty much every character has, and it's used innately.

One item said it was resist_light and another said it was resist_water. None of us understood what benefits either of those would give us. Can we get a little clarification?

[blackmore]

2 new forges just announced at Fornax.

Fornax, The Galavan Blacksmith tells you 'Ahh yes, the crest of the crimson buccaneer...Here is a little bit of information for you:'

Object 'clasp crest crimson buccaneer argo', Item type: CLASP
Item is: GLOW MAGIC CAN-SHAPESHIFT UNAPPROVED
Weight: 1, Value: 75354gold, Worn in: TAKE
Clasp can only be attached to:
a crimson tri-cornered hat
Clasp is non-removable once attached.
Clasp gives the user +10 HITPOINT
Only those who are primary supreme monks may use this item.

Requires: 250000 coins, 1x a gold hoop earring,
1x an argosian treasure chest, 1x an argosian cutlass,
2x A bar of gold
Fornax, The Galavan Blacksmith tells you 'Ahh yes, the crest of the pirate king...Here is a little bit of information for you:'

Object 'clasp crest pirate king argo', Item type: CLASP
Item is: GLOW MAGIC CAN-SHAPESHIFT UNAPPROVED
Weight: 1, Value: 75354gold, Worn in: TAKE
Clasp can only be attached to:
a crimson tri-cornered hat
Clasp is non-removable once attached.
Clasp gives the user +1 ARMOR
Only those who are primary supreme monks may use this item.

Requires: 250000 coins, 1x the physician's mirror,
1x an argosian treasure chest, 1x an argosian cutlass,
2x a bar of platinum


The crimson tri-cornered hat is 1.2ac +max_con.