Design Notes

November 02, 2011

Letter to Bloodtusk Front

Status Report Required Immediately!

General Tibias,

I expected a report on your progress in the Bloodtusk Matter yesterday, and do not have it yet. This displeases me. When I sent you, in league with Commander Cynari from the Swordhaven Army, I specifically stated regular reports were required.

My scouts in your camp report that your efforts to subdue the Horcs and Trolls have failed. They are re-arming themselves as we speak! Are you aware of the strength the Horcs are able to draw on from that mountain Ore of theirs? Do you understand the power the living Arashtite Ore lends Troll magic?

And speaking of... have you been able to recover the missing Ore? The Accord of the Dark Sun is meaningless if the Trolls and Horcs do not have access to it! With that, they could turn on us; if we do not get it back before them, they certainly WILL. And, from all the reports I've gotten in this last day - and none of them from YOU - that is exactly what is about to happen.

Do not forget, Tibias. We KNOW that Chaos is in Bloodtusk Ravine. We have seen the signs, heard the whispers. It is so obvious that in these very inner halls I hear news of Chaotic goings-on in the Ravine. Even now, I am sure, the taint of Chaorruption has thoroughly soaked into the Horc and Troll communities.

It is up to YOU to settle the feud between them so that we may RIP OUT the core of Chaos that festers there.

Do not fail me. Or else.

September 23, 2011

Bloodtusk Under Siege!

Good and Evil Take Over the Ravine!

Fear of Chaos is tearing apart both the Horcs and Trolls! King Alteon and Empress Gravelyn, worried over whispers escaping from the Ravine, have sent their diplomats to take over, instituting martial law.

With the Alliance's Army controlling the Ravine - the Horcs and Trolls are afraid they will be unable to protect themselves from the Chaos Lord, whoever they may be!

Kagg and Sokrakiis call on YOU, Hero, to help them save their homes, their families, and a mysterious Ore that is sacred to them all. Will you defy your long-time allies to help your newest friends? And Drakath's minions... what chaotic Twin-terference have THEY been up to?

This week has some AWESOME rewards AND a member-only area of the map to battle high-exp and gold monsters! (This area also has increased drop rates for quest items and item rewards!)

Troll Rep Shop:

• Troll Warrior Armor
• Trollinator Cape
• Trollinator Helms

Horc Rep Shop:

• Horc Peacekeeper Armor
• Horcinating Cape
• Peacekeeper Hat

Troll Defiance Shop:

• Pride and Glory
• Troll's Last Stand

Horc Defiance Shop:

• Granite Rippers
• Mauling Stick

And even more rewards from Khasaanda and Zot in the /join ravinetemple map!

New Treasure Chest Rewards!

Treasure Chests just keep dropping! And THIS week there's NEW items in them! We're going to keep adding new items to the Treasure Chest reward drop pool until we have hundreds! And this week we bring you the Onikage Armor and Helm!

Noteworthy News!

Quibble Coinbiter's Talk Like a Pirate Day Shop is staying for another week! Grab your doubloons and loot his shop or he'll make you walk the plank. Yarrrr!
The Bloodtusk AC War Rare shops are GONE! Those epic items are gone for good! We also removed all of the Chaorrupted Troll Boss drops except the pets.

3rd Upholder is Coming!

October is AQWorlds' anniversary month! And THAT means that anyone who upgrades will become a 3rd Upholder! That'll get you a sweet character page achievement and the EPIC Platinum Star Sword! (The Star Sword will not be released until November 4th.)

What comes next for Bloodtusk?

If you're really going to help the Trolls and Horcs, it looks like you're going to need to take on the Alliance! But the Twins -and Drakath - aren't going to make that easy. Nor are they going to stop fomenting Chaos between the Horcs and Trolls! And what of the mysterious Chaos Lord? You'll find out! Join us next week for more of the ravages of fear, loathing, and Chaos in Bloodtusk Ravine!

If you can't do quests for this week:

Then you'll need to follow these steps:

If you can't do Kagg's quests in the ravinetemple map, then here's what you need to do:

Head back to the Crossroads zone, and talk to Rawg (all the way to the right and up):

1) Accept the Oracle quest from Rawg.
2) Answer the Oracle's questions in the middle of the ravine.
*** Then follow the rest of the steps below.

If you've already done the Oracle's quest (answered her questions) for the Horcs, do this:

3) Go and watch the Eclipse cutscene at the end of the Crossroads zone.
4) Watch The River Runs Red in /bloodtuskwar
5) Kill the War Boss again.
6) Watch the cutscene, "Chaos Rages."
7) Go to /ravinetemple and do the quests!

If you can't do Sokrakiis' quests in the ravinetemple map, then here's what you need to do:

Head back to the Crossroads zone, and talk to Druuz (all the way to the right and up):

1) Accept the Oracle quest from Druuz.
2) Answer the Oracle's questions in the middle of the ravine.
*** Then follow the rest of the steps below.

If you've already done the Oracle's quest (answered her questions) for the Trolls, do this:

3) Go and watch the Eclipse cutscene at the end of the Crossroads zone.
4) Watch The River Runs Red in /bloodtuskwar
5) Kill the War Boss again.
6) Watch the cutscene, "Chaos Scars."
7) Go to /ravinetemple and do the quests!

September 19, 2011

Happy TLPD 2011!

Yar!

Happy Talk Like A Pirate Day, maties! It be time for a little nautical education. A lot of people didn't grow up in a piratical culture like I did here on the gulf coast of Florida so I'm sure a few of you don't really know what YAR actually means. It's not just something pirates yell to be piratey.

I think it was best defined in one of my favorite movies. Katherine Hepburn's character Tracy Lord is talking about a ship she and her ex-husband, Mr. C.K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant) once owned:

" My, she was yar...It means, uh...easy to handle, quick to the helm, fast, right. Everything a boat should be..."

So there you have it. NOW BACK TO SWABBIN' THE DECKS, YA SCURVY SEADOGS! 

Quibble has really outdone himself this time, brining more than 40 TLPD rares including the Platinum Naval Commander Set, The Inverted Pirate Captain set and the Legion Jolly Roger set! Quibble will be here at LEAST until Friday, maybe longer, but he won't stay forever. If you like this year's TLPD rares, grab them quick!

Screenshot Contest Is OVER!

At noon today (EST, server time) our latest Screenshot contest ended and we have a LOT of entries to sort through before we can announce the winners but keep your eyes on the Design Notes and we will announce them as soon as we have some to announce.

Thanks to everyone who participated. I can't wait to see how these new shots look on AQW Screenshot page!

The War Is Over... But The Battle Is Just Beginning.

Word of the Twins appearance in Bloodtusk Ravine has spread far and wide, as well as tales of the increasingly bloody conflict between the Trolls and Horcs.

Princess Gravelyn and King Alteon have come to the conclusion that neither a Troll or Horc should be allowed to become a new Chaos Lord and they are willing to use all the combined might of the Good and Evil Alliance to end this stalemate.

The undead armies of evil are marching alongside the armored knights of good and they are all marching on Bloodtusk. The Allaince plans to force a peace between the Horcs and Trolls by any means necessary.

The war AC shop going rare at Friday's release as well as all of the Boss's drops EXCEPT for the Tigriff and Chaos Tigriff pets. War Merge shop and drops are staying in, as promised.

August 22, 2011

Rumors of Chaos Rising!

Bloodtusk Ravine is about to get BUSY!

The majority of the Trolls in the Ravine wish to forget the past and ignore their "more primitive" neighbors to the west. The Horcs know that vigilance is ever necessary, as not all Trolls are as placid as others. But factor in the Troll-Horc hybrids and you get an explosion of hated: for each other and themselves!

Meet Druuz and Rawg: cousins, hybrids, bitter enemies

Druuz and Rawg share a similar story, but a very different history. You'll learn more of their families and childhoods on Friday. And once you find them among the wilderness of the jungle and plateau this week, they'll be the starting point on your journey to get some orderly answers to the chaotic rumors floating around both towns!

Bloodtusk Ravine is boiling with tension, and Chaos is about to erupt!

For centuries, there has been an uneasy peace between the Horcs and the Trolls of Bloodtusk Ravine. Occasionally, events like tragic and forbidden romances will occur between the races, causing havoc and dissension among both peoples. But that is not enough Chaos for... the Twins!

Battle your way to the truth this weekend!

DoomWood on the Travel Map on Friday!

This Friday you'll be able to experience (or re-live) the most EPIC battle between Light and Darkness that Lore has ever seen! Just open your travel map and journey to Doomwood. /Cheer for J6 for finding the time to squeeze this vital map update into his ever-busy schedule.

No Suggestion Shop

Our artists are absolutely up to their elbows in pixels and paint this week Flashing gnarly gear for this week's release, so we're going to need to delay the Suggestion Shop. But that just means you'll have more time to work on your ideas before submitting them for consideration! Who knows, next time it might be YOUR art that makes it in-game!

Naval Commander for TLaPD

We asked you guys this morning whether you wanted Chaos Naval Commander, Platinum Naval Commander, or Fiery Naval Commander for the 2011 Talk Like a Pirate Day event. After reading the deluge of replies on Twitter and the forum, we went with the overwhelmingly popular Platinum Naval Commander! Like last year, an additionla pirate-themed armor will also be released.

Look for that to be released along with other epicly piratical gear this September 19th for Talk Like a Pirate Day 2011! Pictures and prices will come as TLaPD gets closer.

August 12, 2011

Bloodtusk Ravine: Horcs/Trolls

An uneasy peace holds... but for how long?

In Bloodtusk Ravine, two races live in one place, separated only by a narrow gorge... and centuries of distrust. Enter a land of deceptive beauty and imminent violence, the air thick with tension and the smell of unshed blood.

Your services are sorely needed, Hero, by both the Horcs and the Trolls... because Chaos is rising, and will soon consume this shared land!

Horcs

Superior warriors, steadfast and stalwart, do not underestimate the Horcs: their speech may be simple, but their minds are quick and their hearts are true, both to their tribe and the earth which sustains them.

Discover the Horcs of K'thurr; get to know them and you will soon begin to appreciate both their skill at war and their loyal natures.

• Kagg - Horc LoreKeeper, Rep Vendor
• Zot - Horc Spirit Master, Musician
• Tlax - Horc War Chief
• Ghaz - Horc Weaponsmith
• Sput - Horc Butch... Pet Vendor

Trolls

Life is an Art, and the Trolls of Bloodtusk Ravine are adept performers! Brilliant and creative, the Trolls value learning, history, and cultural pursuits above all else. Except maybe a good story or two!

Meet the Trolls of Bloodtusk Ravine; they are quick to welcome strangers, as long as you aren't a Horc. They have tried to forget the unpleasant violence which happened so long ago. They are focused on living a bright future, and a joyous present.

• Sokrakiis - Troll Elder, Historian, Rep Vendor
• Samba - Troll Dance Adept, Hair Vendor
• Oishii - Troll Culinary Adept, Food Vendor
• Dregas - Troll Art Adept, House Vendor
• Bachius - Troll Musical Adept, Warrior, Weapons Vendor
• Krellenos - Troll Prophet
• Khasaanda - Troll Prophetess

Limited Quantity Shop at 3AM

Remember, the LQS goes live at 3 AM Eastern US time on SATURDAY! You can find a timezone converter here. We hope to see you there for this EPIC Omega shop! With six armors, FOURTEEN helms, and a variety of guns, daggers, and a cape, this is one of the most well-stocked Limited Quantity Shops we've ever offered!

Scroll down to see screenshots of all the epic Omega Mercenary Guild armors and items, made by Mennace!

Gender Change

Life feeling a bit too routine? Feel the need to look at the world through from a fresh perspective? Then Yulgar has just what you need! Go on a life-long vacation, by getting a gender modification!

Gender changes will cost 1,000 ACs every time you switch

That's right, you can now get a gender change in Yulgar's changing room. But be SURE you know what you want, because it will cost 1,000 ACs EVERY time you switch!

Member Emotes

Introducing EIGHT all-new MEMBER-ONLY emotes! /cheer for /spar with your friends when they get a Crit or /Headbang through our next musical event!

Cysero enjoying /stepdance while Bachius watches

• /Powerup
• /Cheer
• /Jumpcheer
• /Salute2
• /Cry2
• /Spar
• /Headbang
• /Dazed

The /samba emote that some of you saw previewed earlier today will be unlocked later on in the Bloodtusk Ravine. You won't be able to /samba until Samba starts giving dance lessons!

Paymentez

For our Brazillian players, we are now accepting Paymentez Credits on the master account page! Over 120,000 retail stores and 25,000 internet cafes in Latin America offer Paymentez Credits making it VERY easy to purchase Memberships or ACs!

August 08, 2011

LQS and Bloodtusk Ravine!

This LQS will make you say OMG!

"Blood for GOLD!" That is the cry of the Omega Mercenary Group, a posse dedicated to filling their purses while pursuing their prey across Lore and the Galaxy! And now YOU can join their crew when you access this Saturday at 3AM EST! Make sure you check your time zone and set your alarm (or more than one, to be safe!), because you won't want to miss this gear designed exclusively by Mennace.

If you're a soldier of fortune, or just enjoy dressing as one, you too could own these cutthroat equips! IF you've got the ACs. Prices will come as soon as we sit down and figure them out. Most likely tomorrow during the day.

Male versions of the Assault Gear, Death Dealer, and Infiltrator Armors!

Female versions of the Mecha Defender, Omega Alchemist, and Omega Hunter!

Covet these crazy-awesome Omega equips!

Bloodtusk Ravine: Two races a world apart

Bloodtusk Ravine is an unforgiving plateau surrounded on all sides by jungle. Lending its name to the area, a narrow ravine splits the plateau in half... and separates two races which have raged at each other for generations! You've already met (or battled) members of both species, but this week you'll get to know them much, much better:

The Horcs: Primal, savage, the ultimate warriors defending their home and their people from a threat others would dismiss out of hand. Tribal and untamed, wilderness lives inside each Horc, a fact which threatens their unwilling neighbors.

Possessing strength and endurance beyond any race in their lands, 200 years ago the Horcs were used by the Trolls for manual labor, treated by them as second class citizens, until they rose up and claimed the other side of the ravine.

The Trolls: Brilliant thinkers and philosophers, patrons of the arts in all their many forms, and strategists beyond compare. Using their superior knowledge and cunning, the trolls managed to dominate the fiercer Horcs for centuries.

They revel in pleasure now, focusing on the glory of Art and Culture, but a movement among them longs to return to the days when they had conquered the whole of the plateau through the might of their intellect.

The uneasy peace between the two camps is about to come to an end. Something - or someone- is setting fires of discontent and fear among both the Horcs and the Trolls, and is eager to dance in the flames as Chaos consumes their country! The next Lord of Chaos is rising.

Reminder!

AEXtras is still a great way to get FREE ADVENTURECOINS and even FREE BATTLEON POINTS, and with new Inventory, Bank slots and Preimere Event rares to buy there's never been a better time!

 Just CLICK HERE to get started!