View source for The Price of Loyalty

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'''May 2006''' - [[Announcements - 2006/05 - The Price of Loyalty|Announcements Page]]

== Game Changes ==
* New allegiance officer ranks and custom officer titles now available.
* Officers and monarchs now have many new powers including the ability to chat gag, lock the allegiance and give the allegiance a name.
* A new tier of the Runed weapons has been added to the game. This tier of weapons is geared towards characters in the level 120 range.

== New Quests ==
* [[Empowered Harbinger Quest]]
* [[Essenceless Harbinger Quest]]
* [[Lost Messenger]]
* [[Necklace of the Golden Flame Quest]]
* [[Pheraion's Sanctum Quest]]
* [[Shield of Isin Dule Quest]]

== New Events ==
* [[Essences of Magic]] arrive at [[Yanshi]].
:[Player Name] has defeated the Essence of Strife in Old Yanshi.
:A tremor shakes the ground.
:The Essense of Strife seeps into the quaking ground and you hear an inhuman howl of triumph from deep below.

== Updated Quests ==
* [[Harbinger Quest]] - there are now three versions of the Harbinger quest:
** [[Empowered Harbinger Quest]] - The hardest difficulty Harbinger. It is accessed by entering the [[Harbinger's Lair|portal]] at the end of the [[Tunnels to the Harbinger]].
** [[Essenceless Harbinger Quest]] - The medium difficulty Harbinger is accessed by destroying the [[Essences of Magic|Essences]] in the [[Essence Chamber]] and entering the portal that appears. The Essence chamber is found at the end of the [[Tunnels to the Harbinger]].
** [[Weakened Harbinger Quest]] - The classic easier Harbinger quest is now accessed by using the [[Decanter of Nullified Essence]] on the [[Stone of Yanshi]], destroying the creatures that appear, and then entering the older version of the [[Tunnels to the Harbinger|tunnels]] where you jump down into the Harbinger's lair at the end (no portal).

== New NPCs ==
* [[Barsinni]]
* [[Kiriel Shadowborn]]
* [[Riordin Nightbane]]
* [[Hassim]]
* [[Talar the Apprentice]]

== Updated NPCs ==
* [[Ciandra, Arcanum Alchemist]]
* [[Emissary of Asheron (Yanshi)]]

== New Locations ==
* [[Assassins' Hideout]]
* [[Essence Chambers]]
* [[Pheraion's Sanctum]]
* [[Shield of Isin Dule Spire]]
* [[Targor's Cave]]

== New Items ==
{{Item Table|Caption=[[Armor]]
 | Greater Helm of the Elements
 | Prismatic Diamond Shield
 | Harbinger Arm Guard
 | Shield of Isin Dule
}}

{{Item Table|Caption=[[Chests]]
 | Acolyte Herren's Chest
 | Diviner Pheraion's Chest
 | Fleshy Trove
}}

{{Item Table|Caption=[[Housing Items]]
 | Pack Harbinger
}}

{{Item Table|Caption=[[Jewelry]]
 | Necklace of the Golden Flame
}}

{{Item Table|Caption=[[Keys]]
 | Acolyte Herren's Key
 | Inner Locked Gate Key
 | Middle Locked Gate Key
 | Outer Locked Gate Key
 | Diviner Pheraion's Key
 | Boney Lump of Flesh
}}

{{Item Table|Caption=[[Objects]]
 | Lost Messenger's Corpse
}}

{{Item Table|Caption=[[Quest Items]]
 | Frozen Black Crystal
}}

{{Item Table|Caption=[[Upgrade Items]]
 | Shimmering Prismatic Oil
}}

{{Item Table|Caption=[[Text Items]]
 | Herren's Orders
 | Intercepted Note
 | Messenger's Journal
 | High Archon Kraest's Instructions
 | Isin Dule's Instructions
 | Sticky Lump
 | Pheraion's Notes
 | A Shadow Spire on the Caul
 | Fleshy Lump (Isin Dule's Orders)
 | Isin Dule's Orders
}}

{{Item Table|Caption=[[Weapons]]
 | Finger of the Harbinger
 | Royal Runed Arbalest
 | Royal Runed Bastone
 | Royal Runed Dart Flinger
 | Royal Runed Dolabra
 | Royal Runed Flamberge
 | Royal Runed Knuckles
 | Royal Runed Mazule
 | Royal Runed Partizan
 | Royal Runed Poniard
 | Royal Runed Slashing Baton
 | Royal Runed War Bow
}}

== Updated Items ==
* {{Itemlink|Instructions for Essence Recovery}} - Updated to reflect the changes to the [[Essences of Magic]]

== New Titles ==
* [[Empowered Harbinger Quest#Title Rewards|Master of the Elements]]
* [[Essenceless Harbinger Quest#Title Rewards|Harbinger's Bane]]

== New Creatures ==
{{Creature Class|Elemental
 | Harbinger (Hard)
 | Tenebrous Knight
}}
{{Creature Class|Human
 | Acolyte Herren
 | Archon Merille
 | Diviner Pheraion
 | Fledgling
 | Pheraion's Guard
}}
{{Creature Class|Mukkir
 | Coruscating Mukkir
 | Fanatical Mukkir
 | Mukkir (Creature)
 | Targor
 | Vile Mukkir
}}
{{Creature Class|Shadow
 | Captain Faalx
 | Dealith
 | Faurset
 | Isin Dule's Captain
 | Isin Dule's Lieutenant
 | Liantor
 | Lieutenant Beraxis
 | Lieutenant Shenza
 | Lieutenant Yezusthule
 | Panumbral Soldier
 | Shadow Cyst
 | Umbral Soldier
}}

== New Dialog ==
;Town Crier
{{Dialog|
''Viamontian Town Criers''

|Town Crier tells you, "King Varicci requires all able-bodied men, women, and children to travel to the ruins of the Bloodless town of Yanshi and fight the creature that dwells beneath."

|Town Crier tells you, "More Runed Weapons have been stolen from the royal vaults, this time a set of weapons more powerful than before. This is intolerable."

|Town Crier tells you, "It seems that the monarchs of the realm, who are all subject to His Majesty King Varicci, of course, have been given greater latitude to protect their allegiances from interlopers and to appoint officers to aid in management."

|Town Crier tells you, "Our own Count Dardante has been a very busy man. Our King is fortunate to have such a learned and tireless servant in his employ."

|Town Crier tells you, "Scouts reported a strange twisting tower in the Singularity Caul. They also report that powerful Shadows attacked them there. We've had the scouts detained, for spreading lies."

|Town Crier tells you, "Bloodless dog, if you had any instinct for self-preservation, you would throw in your lot with His Majesty King Varicci, especially in light of what the Rossu Morta is doing..."

|Town Crier tells you, "There have been reports of an old Bloodless death cult, called the Raven Hand, searching for something in the northeast of Osteth. This should be investigated."

|Town Crier tells you, "I have heard quite a few things about Count Dardante and his ambitious plans. I hope the man is not wearing himself out. There are also reports that his activities have drawn the interest of parties once thought neutral in this clash of kingdoms..."

|Town Crier tells you, "It seems that the monarchs of the realm, who are all subject to His Majesty King Varicci, of course, have been given greater latitude to manage their allegiances and to appoint senior officers. This is welcome news if it serves to help us better organize our war effort."

|Town Crier tells you, "There are several reports of an old Bloodless death cult, called the Order of the Raven Hand, digging on Osteth, near the shores of Vissidal Island. Along with this, there have been reports of increased "Shadow" activity in the same area. Perhaps those loyal to Sanamar should investigate."

|Town Crier tells you, "It seems that some more powerful Runed Weapons have been stolen and released from the royal vaults. Even worse, we now hear reports from the Rossu Morta themselves that some of their agents on particularly sensitive missions have turned up caches of these weapons in enemy hands..."

|Town Crier tells you, "There are reports of a floating tower, twisting in the skies above the Singularity Caul! Be warned, King Varicci will not stand for the spreading of lies and fear-mongering."

|Town Crier tells you, "King Varicci has hinted that he wishes to weaken the Harbinger in order to capture it and yoke it to his will."

|Town Crier tells you, "Are you one of the rare Bloodless who has proven his worth to the Ordina Rossu Morta? If so, you should report to the Chapterhouse and see what service your King requires of you."

|Town Crier tells you, "I have heard quite a few things about Count Dardante and his ambitious plans. I hope the man is not wearing himself out. There are also reports that his activities have drawn the interest of parties once thought neutral in this clash of kingdoms..."

''Mainland Town Criers''

|Town Crier tells you, "I've heard rumors of Raven Hand sightings in the northeast of Osteth. I wonder what they are up to now?"

|Town Crier tells you, "A Shadow Spire has been spotted in the Singularity Caul. The Shadows may be getting too comfortable down there."

|Town Crier tells you, "There have been ominous rumors that the Viamontian wizard, Count Dardante, is up to something..."

|Town Crier tells you, "I hear tell there's more activity among the Whispering Blade, and that they seem to have turned their attention from Varicci to Grael. I can't get into their chapterhouse, though, so I can't be sure."

|Town Crier tells you, "The Essences have arrived at Yanshi!"

|Town Crier tells you, "There have been ominous rumors that the Viamontian wizard, Count Dardante, is up to something..."

|Town Crier tells you, "I have heard tell that a new shipment of more powerful Runed Weapons has been looted from Varicci's vaults, and is turning up again in well-guarded treasure chests..."

|Town Crier tells you, "I have been named the Speaker of my allegiance! Watch what you say, or I'll gag you!"

|Town Crier tells you, "I have heard that the Whispering Blade has changed its priorities. They used to think that Varicci was the biggest threat to the realm, but now it's all Grael all the time with them! They seem to be particularly interested in the Raven Hand's attempts to wake or summon the ancient barbarian."

|Town Crier tells you, "There are several rumors of the Raven Hand digging in the northeast of Osteth, near the shore closest to Vissidal Island. Whatever it is that they are looking for, it can't bode well for the rest of us."

|Town Crier tells you, "There are reports that Count Dardante is working on something particularly nasty, and that there are other forces besides the Whispering Blade and Queen Elysa who seek to stop him."

|Town Crier tells you, "I fear the power that the Harbinger may have acquired from the Essences."

|Town Crier tells you, "My friend found another Runed Weapon, more powerful than the last, but he wouldn't tell me where he got it. I think he was doing some super-secret work for the Whispering Blade when he found it."

|Town Crier tells you, "I hear tell that monarchs have been given greater power over the structure of their allegiances!"

|Town Crier tells you, "Word is that Isin Dule is responsible for the Shadow Spire that has risen in the Singularity Caul. I hope he stays down there."

;Ulgrim the Unpleasant

''Free Rumors''

|Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Verily, this vitae I vainly vie to remove after voyaging to the vault of the venomous and vile vermin of virulent visage... Ah, forget it! I got hurt while trying to hunt the White Rabbit."

|Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Poko Moko! So slowly I turned, step by step, inch by inch..."
|Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "What did you say?"

|Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Har har har, more Runed Weapons somehow made their way from Varicci's vaults to chests in the Valley of Death. Oh, that's rich. Varicci's Royal Runed Melon must be red with rage by now."

|Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I can't believe you didn't stop the Essences from getting to the Harbinger. We're doomed! Doooooomed I tell you!"

|Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I am bereft of stout! Un-bereft me or I will fly into an un-drunken rage!"

|Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "You! Ulgrim utters unspeakable utterances upon you! Unburden your stout upon his unintoxicated un-thing mouth hole... That's it, I can't think of any more u-words, just give me some stout, okay?"

|Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Sometimes people ask me what the best thing about being me is. Now, I could mention my rugged good looks, my mind like a steel trap, my encyclopedic knowledge of everything, or even my chiseled abdominal muscles. But really, the best thing about being me is that I'm so witty, I can keep myself entertained. That really takes the edge off things."

|Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I hear tell someone has been spreading vile calumnies about my lineage! They're saying I am the son of Aliester the Loquacious! After all the time I spent avoiding him at family reunions so he wouldn't talk my ear off... Why, it gets me so mad, I've got to drink!"

''Stout Rumors''

|Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Me? No, I haven't appointed any Castellans, Seneschals, or Speakers to my allegiance. Instead, my officers are named Master of Stouts, Minister of Ales, and Lord of Lagers."

|Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I had an odd dream this afternoon. I was staring at the sun, yes I know you're not supposed to, this was a dream, now shut up! I was staring at the sun when I saw a spot begin to grow on it. I reached up and tried to rub it off, but it just smeared the dark all over and it began to spread."
|Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Soon the whole sun was engulfed by it and instead of casting light on everything, the sun was casting dark. I heard voices in the dark and then I saw thousands upon thousands of unblinking purple eyes creeping over the ground, coming at me. Under that black sun, I began to scream and scream... I woke up screaming. Now get me another stout."

|Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "There's probably some trouble to be found with the Raven Hand or the Shadows or something, way up there on the northeast shore. I hope not. That's pretty close to where my little Mosswart friends live. Any kind of Shadow disturbance up there could sour their stout supplies."

|Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I'm glad my nephew has turned aside from his selfishly destructive path, and has decided to start fighting to help his fellow Isparians against the greater threats that confront us all. He's even started training youngsters to follow in his footsteps. Yep, I'm talking about Ketnan. Why, who did you think I was talking about?"

|Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Isin Dule is back. It seems he ran out of cheese while living with the Viamontians and now he wants our cheese. Protect the cheese!"

|Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "If we keep letting the Harbinger have his way, he's going to burn-freeze-melt-shock us all to death! You better get out there and knock him down a few pegs."

|Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Let's not fool ourselves. We can all see it coming. Count Dardante has been poking his pointy blue nose into things beyond his feeble understanding. He's going to get us all in a heap of trouble, just you watch. I never should have let that kid borrow my old term papers when he was cheating his way through the Royal Academy back on Ispar."

|Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "There's probably some trouble to be found with the Raven Hand or the Shadows or something, way up there on the northeast shore. I hope not. That's pretty close to where my little Mosswart friends live. Any kind of Shadow disturbance up there could sour their stout supplies."
}}

== Related Articles ==
* [[Announcements - 2006/05 - The Price of Loyalty#Teaser|Teaser]]
* [[Announcements - 2006/05 - The Price of Loyalty#Rollout Article|Rollout Article]]
* [[Announcements - 2006/05 - The Price of Loyalty#Release Notes|Release Notes]]
* [[Announcements - 2006/05 - The Price of Loyalty#Letter to the Players|Letter to the Players]]

== Media ==
<gallery perrow=3>
File:Teaser 200605.jpg|
File:Teaser 200605ACVault.jpg|ACVault
File:Teaser 200605JackCat.jpg|Maggie the Jackcat
File:Teaser 200605ACHeaven.jpg|[http://acheaven.buwahaha.com/ AC Heaven]
File:The Price of Loyalty Splash Screen.jpg
File:Portaldat 200605.png|Portal.dat
</gallery>

[[Category:Events]]