see that madface? that is the new look of the Tradeways. lower level characters may feel free to cut their teeth on it. just remember, the Tradeways feels no ways about cutting ITS teeth on YOU. larger, more ornate, more mysteries to solve as Ziroc fills in more of the realm itself, oh, did we mention the beach?

we didn't mention the beach?

well, yes, there IS a beach. little lobsters strolling along the sand. the waves lapping at your heels. very peaceful thus far. (don't count on that to last too long.) a little treasure chest even lays there on the sand (at the moment), probably left there by raiders or someone else who would be really annoyed if you removed the contents. (snatch that stuff, baibee!)

this is a chance to re-experience something you have grown used to merely passing through. there are now a few more creatures within the Tradeways lurking through the Mirkwood Village who would like to "talk" with you. (read: beat your face or eat your face, depending on what seasonings they have on them.) most of the creatures which were inside the Tradeways are still there, so if you wanted a place to start "safely", the Tradeways are an excellent jump-off point. I would suggest, however, to bring plenty of fire. why fire? why not. besides, what good adventurer (besides a few custom characters of mine) doesn't travel with a torch or five with them?

I happen to appreciate all these massive and subtle changes Ziroc has been making. this just proves how creative one person can be with the right materials backing him up. some of the changes people will see immediately, while others will show up with a little exploration. I do have a feeling he's nowhere close to finished with the entire Tradeways region, perhaps even expanding the current maps even further just to pack in more strange and wonderful things.

[ 06-22-2006, 08:27 AM: Message edited by: Mozenwrathe ]

Nice scenery in the swamp.

Why does it remind me of all those films about strange inbred families?

I'm sure I've said this before but what about a health warning before entering the really dangerous troll- bound areas. Any newbie trying to stack up XP is going to get wiped out if they take a wrong exit.

Ah yes, I see you found the Trollmoors Swamp and new Tradeway update [img]smile.gif[/img]

And oh yes, it's not done. Expect some quests, some monsters and loads of new weapons for those areas. The swamp will be 3 maps big, then the mountains, and then the high elevations where it's all snow. [img]smile.gif[/img] should be awesome!

The Tradeways will be very large. expect at least 5 more maps to the north, and east to Darkhold keep. [img]smile.gif[/img]

And I haven't forgotten about Undermountain... Muhahaha... Level 14 is almost done. I am SO excited about this one...

BTW, I did buy Infinite Dungeons, and even extracted HALASTER and the Lich king and the other new monsters for the patch coming up. Saves me having to make one. [img]smile.gif[/img] And they are AWESOME looking. DLA rocks.

hehehe. did you take a look at the post concerning the (I think) final works released by CODI? you would probably like them if you didn't somehow snag them already. the models for the tieflings would be especially nice for a project or two of mine (which you have already received). as well, Ziroc, you need to clean out your mailbox again. it's reading as filled to the brim (PM Box mail on the board here, that is).

I like the size of the new Tradeways thus far. I would even be willing to wait on other Undermountain expansions for a while if you were going to focus some of your construction on extending the Tradeways. I always found them low-powered and a little too quick for me originally. Now with them being even larger in scope, I can enjoy the experience for the scenery and what is being sent up against the players. I'd request that the entirety of the Tradeways areas be kept at a low level for people who want to fight outdoors instead of in dank and nasty caverns all the time.

Oh, are you accepting requests and suggestions for the expansions to the Trollbark regions? If so, there's a few I'd like to post in the Trollbark thread. As well, I (for one) would love to see expansions to the existing Trollbark Forest. Perhaps another map worth of regenerating goodness? Two maps? *crosses fingers* I love that area, and not just because it's an excellent money grab when you are in the higher levels. *winks* Not to mention I'd love to see that elven store there start offering even better items. No idea which ones, but stuff specifically for rangers, druids, and balance-serving clerics would be a great idea.

[ 06-24-2006, 08:58 AM: Message edited by: Mozenwrathe ]

To late for me, i got my ass handed to me big time :rolleyes: [img]graemlins/heee.gif[/img]

*snicker, snicker* Happens a lot...might as well be prepared...*snicker*

LOL thanks for the sympathy RTB [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img]

At the entrance I got zapped by a big blue (choose one) bolt of lightning, death magic ray (beholder?), fireball, comet, DM playing god, whatever it was it left my character splattered and myself stunned, seriously stunned as in W.T.F. just happened !!! :eek:

Just wait until you find your way to the Drow Proving Grounds, you won't feel any better about knowing what just killed you. [img]graemlins/heee.gif[/img]

Yes. Well.

The Drow Proving Grounds, level 8 (and the Green Dragon there) and the asassins on level 12 can all be beaten - eventualy.

http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view...Detail&id=6800
now tell me all this stuff wouldn't look DAMN GOOD(tm) in Ziroc's module. This is the final gift from CODI to all who make modules, and I figure that at least half of what they are showing in the pictures would be great for expanded and new areas inside of Ziroc's module. (especially those tieflings...)

LOL thanks for the sympathy RTB [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img]

At the entrance I got zapped by a big blue (choose one) bolt of lightning, death magic ray (beholder?), fireball, comet, DM playing god, whatever it was it left my character splattered and myself stunned, seriously stunned as in W.T.F. just happened !!! :eek: </font>[/QUOTE]Ahhh, the joys of EfU adventuring! :D You gotta love it! LOL!

Well, considering that the beholder mage is the least of your worries if you try to enter the Trollbark Realms, at least you had "fair warning" wellard. Beyond that, if you see a few of the more experienced campaigners online, feel free to bug them for stuff. Some of them may be able to offer you a few items that will help you with the spells. However, nothing beats not being in the way when it comes to the physical drubbing you should expect when waltzing into the Trollbark Realms. Remember: trolls love flesh. Newcomer flesh, old pro flesh, summoned familiar flesh - it's all great tasting stuff to them. Especially with Tiamat's Special Hot Sauce!

[ 07-03-2006, 11:50 AM: Message edited by: Mozenwrathe ]

LOL, Mozenwrath, some folks like to (or just have to) find this stuff out on their own and Wellard's a pretty experienced gamer. ;) I'm guessing he's been hammered a few times in a number of places by now! :D

Wellard, I've been splatted a number of times..but hey, you live and learn...or is that 'die and learn'? HAHAHA!

[ 07-03-2006, 01:58 PM: Message edited by: Cloudbringer ]

Hey, as the old saying goes: "I don't know everyone I talk to." *shrugs, smiles a bit* Regardless, I might as well hand out the advice I had to learn the old-fashioned way: pressing the Revive key twenty times in five minutes.

[ 07-05-2006, 08:39 AM: Message edited by: Mozenwrathe ]

Yeh, I actually placed that beholder there as a warning.. like "if you die by him, DON'T enter there" :D

You may want to do similar for the Trollbark Swamp then. Some kind of creature that is harder than the rest of the region is that will give players pause before striding in. If not, people are going to keep on walking right in and dying horribly. (Well, people who aren't expecting evil and nasty flesh-rending creatures of terrible strength in any case.) Any news of new treasure coming out that will be inside of the Trollbark Swamp as opposed to the Trollbark Forest? As well, I was wondering if in fact there shall be new breeds of the scalyfolk coming out for us soon? I have no idea if you have the Serpent Kingdoms sourcebook or not, so I've no idea if you have seen what is inside that particular tome of lizard-based "goodness." And please, no bugbears with four finger rings. I'm just saying that would be morally reprehensible. *cackles*

[ 07-06-2006, 07:54 AM: Message edited by: Mozenwrathe ]

HEHE..works for me! Although I do manage to whomp him with my lower level pc now, so hmm...maybe I'll have to venture forth into the TB again..... :D

Cloudy, if you perchance go into the Tradebark, I would strongly suggest the Tradebark Forest first. Sure, either way you are GOING to die repeatly, but at least within the Tradebark Forest you'll find suitable treasures which will make your numerous resurrections worth your while. Right now, the Tradebark Swamps (unfinished! people) is a great place to test out your combat skills and learn how to dodge multple implosion incantations, but not so good on cash results. And you know me, I am all about the gold... Come to think of it, I should make a character called Lord PackRat and see exactly how much stuff one character can legitimately carry before common sense takes over from instinctive greed.

[ 07-06-2006, 07:58 AM: Message edited by: Mozenwrathe ]

Been there before, Moz, when it was new and a while afterwards. I'm sure there's new stuff to check out, so when my pc is high enough and I have the time, I'll wander back- or I'll grab one of my upper level characters and check it out if I get too curious. :D

Problem hubby and I have is that we have limited time for gaming and often when we do get there all the quests are taken by high level types who breeze in, grab the quest and move to lower levels of the mountain. Same for loot, it's often not worth our time to take a new pc in and play from scratch the way we like to (especially when new things are added!) as we don't see alot of the new quests/treasure when we do. So for us, it's a matter of finding the time to play and a convenient time on the server when things are stil available to find/do. [img]smile.gif[/img]

We had alot of fun earlier this week and I hope we can get back. Been a while since I got to the lower levels at all, so it will all be new! :D

I agree and I'm somewhat dubious about Z's encouragment for high level characters to stomp all over the beginning levels of Undermountain in search of mega items. I prefer to leave it pristine but I was planning on venturing down there with some friends who have little time for exploring and with a low level character. You stole Daneth from them Cloudy and Nacht! Never mind, I doubt that it'll happen, they're both very busy as well.

Who needs mega items anyway. Only Dace, maybe...

[ 07-06-2006, 01:24 PM: Message edited by: roddybug ]

I do not believe that was Ziroc's intent. Besides, most people will be (hopefully) using level appropriate characters for the regions they intend to raid. Then again, I am one of those crazy people who ROUTINELY takes starter level characters down to Level Twelve just to stock up on items and sell them off later. Not even the once-per-server creations, but the regular everyday equipment the various denizens of Level Twelve (especially the Cult Of The Dragon Mistresses Of Pain) have on them. Loads of cash for only a few (dozen) restarts. I find it is worth the time to do it. Besides, as I have not been down to Level Thirteen in ages, I may actually delve down to the bottom to see what is there first. I'd want starter level characters for the revised areas of the upper Undermountain (levels One and Two, some parts of the sewers).

Wow, my download for the update is done. Less than ten minutes. Amazing. *marvels for a bit*

Okay, as for mega-items, I am one who loves to hunt those down. Since more of my questing is solo given my hours, I need them to suppliment my horrific builds. *laughs* Beyond that, one never knows what they'll be facing inside of the Undermountain. Some creatures routinely are immune to one or two attacks (slashing, magical, fire, cold = four most common) so the more options you have the better. Besides, sooner or later we'll start finding our opponents using the same weapons we were on them... ON US.

Finally, I have tried the whole "seeding" routine when I know the server is going to be on for a longer time than normal. (Higher level common items placed in various chests which I found empty.) I did that just to see how many of the items were found. Sadly, the server always seems to be reset just after I try something like that, so it doesn't work as well as I had hoped. Regardless, I do hope that everyone's gaming is enjoyable whether or not the styles used are synchronous.

[ 07-06-2006, 04:14 PM: Message edited by: Mozenwrathe ]

Aww, but Daneth was in need of an escort group so I'm glad we could help, Roddybug!. :D I had to ditch your namesake though as he kept leaving me when my game crashed! LOL


Well, Moz, that's how it works out for many of us somedays. Hard to enjoy your time in a game where it's all farmed out before you get to it, so it's nice that it resets when empty now. [img]smile.gif[/img] For some of us, the fun is in finding the items in their original places and situations and resets help make the playing field a bit more even but sometimes it's hard to be motivated to take a low level pc in if you know high level players have cleared out the first levels already.

But again, the reset system helps!

[ 07-06-2006, 08:29 PM: Message edited by: Cloudbringer ]

Once I get through the first two levels with a char, I tend to not take that char back into them. I know the shortcuts, while they are still there, anyway, so I just go straight to Skull Port. Leaves the lower levels for the lower levels... :D I've taken to wandering around in town with lower level chars as well, checking doors. Found a new opened one, but there was nothing worth mention in there. A few chests/crates etc that needed relieved of their content...I hope I don't find myself escorted there by the guard though...could be a bad deal.

I agree wholeheartedly with rtb, high levelers should leave levels 1-3 alone. Well, at least don't stick uber items there, the levels are enticing enough for starters.

As for poor Daneth he didn't sign up for level four and all its extras, I'm amazed that he only died thrice... or was it more frequent.

Dunno, but Clarice died a few times and my pc crashed a few times! Still had fun, though! :D Proving the lower levels are tough and fun for beginning level pcs!

Heck, the lower levels have proved lethal for mid-level characters who fail their saving throws against freakin' Implosion. I swear that spell only works on PCs. I have seen goblins resist that spell twice before succumbing. TWICE. GOBLINS!!! What do they have that I don't?!?

Anyway, the Tradeways I consider open season for any and all players. Mainly as there are not (currently) unique items to be found in or around the Tradeways region that high level characters would be coveting. Besides, some days you just want to lord over all you survey. And in the Tradeways, you can (currently) do just that. Well, that is until you hit the trolls and the beholder mage.

[ 07-08-2006, 11:33 AM: Message edited by: Mozenwrathe ]