In this edition of the Avalon Echo...
Avalon is now free to play with Sponsorship, which now renews automatically for all active players without need to seek it each month
Gamesystem evolution continues with hundreds of fixes, updates and tweaks including further combat balancing
All Avalonians now able see future abilities across their skills including lessons needed to acquire
The combat rankings at last see Dunccan toppled from the top as Agarwain the Enchanter establishes himself the pre-eminent combatant in Avalon
Cornelius, god of the void demands a challenge from Thakria: the reckless, unforgiving slaughter of Mercinaens for the prize of The Fang
Experiences, Deeds and Feats come to Avalon - documenting character progression in thousands of areas with dozens of ancient quests unearthed as the competition heats up over who will be the first LEGEND
Avalon is beta-testing its own all-platform client: UMBRA. It works on any browser on any platform with Android and iPhone/iPad versions
NPC tutors are now available player-chosen levels (with arena and amphitheatre no-interference trainers) to real combat practice and tuition - all using in-game abilities - without risk of striking a fatal blow
The gauntlet challenge returns, with updated areas for the killing of CCCs in a competitive league table of fastest times
The Avalon website has been updated throughout including an official TIMELINE of AVALON HISTORY covering over half a millennia
Proteus, god of the sea hosts an immortal combat tournament; a dozen mortals clash and contend for the great prize given only to The One
Dozens of old faces have returned to the land once more, revitalised and ready for action. In addition, all returnees are offered a return to their original / ideal profession at no cost until July 10th 2015
There are clashes in the Pantheon; iconoclasm returning in force to Avalon as the gods nudge closer to waging war on the divine stage
Traditional first gem quest - the sapphire - won by Illyism in battle-sands format and presided by Elmaethor, god of the stars. The sapphire gem quest raises the curtain on Avalon's TWELFTH ordination
Avalon monthly 'QUIZ NIGHT' returns. First quiz won by Arund (2500 lessons prize). Second and third quizzes won by Agarwain and Laramyn (200 USD in Avalon lions banknotes for the curiosity shops) with fourth and fifth quizzes due 21st of June and 21st of July
Second gem quest of the season - the Onyx - on Saturday 27th June presided over by Sylvanus, god of the earth. All may participate and the format is junior-inclusive - there is no better combat learning experience
THE AVALON ECHO: Issue #2
Avalon's great narrative continues to gather momentum and with over 25 years of genuine continuity, it is bar none the longest running roleplaying game in existence! Keep an eye on our website over the next couple of months for interesting news not just on Avalon's longevity but an intriguing list of "originated here" and "oldest" and "first ever" facts with official recognition.
Do not think Avalon's incredible history means it is stagnant for quite the contrary: it continues to develop, expand, refine and grow. The renaissance whose roots began last year begins to spread and bear leaf; the first flowers of the NINTH generation are starting to show colour.
Just as decades ago Avalon's quirky established modem and hostplayers were unleashed on the unsuspecting internet to herald a Golden Age, so now players new to the text-game genre mix with old timers rediscovering Avalon - some after hiatus longer than many of the newbies have been alive - and a pantheon lately enlivened by gods of the stars and the earth. Some already perceive the coming of a second Golden Age.
June sees the launch of the "digests" and this extra-long issue of the ECHO is written especially for you.
Remember, Avalon is FREE to play and there is an amnesty on old debts (case by case) so nobody need be left behind!
Sponsorship: Avalon is now FREE to play
In January 2015, Avalon finalised its new model based on sponsorship (see HELP SPONSORSHIP) allowing players to play for free at the expense of the divine globe power of their cities, reputation of their guilds or might of their patrons. Even old players may return and play at no cost if they wish. It is our way to let Avalon be FREE with a player-controlled exclusion of the obscene and the abusive.
Recurring sponsorship for all players becomes automatic
Sponsorships made by cities and guilds now auto-renew for all active sponsorships providing loyalty remains to said city/guild. Dormant sponsored do not automatically renew thus no drain on globe or reputation. This means if you're sponsored and remain active, you NEVER have to seek renewal so long as you stick with your city or guild.
Professional skills restoration available for returnees until 10th July 2015
Many change profession only to find the grass is not always greener. Until 10th July 2015, returning Avalonians can enjoy a one-off FREE OF CHARGE return to their original / ideal profession including a rebuild of skills. Speak to the gods for details. May 2015 has seen many old faces return to take up their Avalon characters once again. Welcome back to Joely, Niun, Alensin, Abaddon, Solan, Dankus, Angharad, Mirrigold, Nightblade, Seraphima, Gareon, Eldereth, Sajora, Beren and dozens more!
Information on future abilities now available to all
All Avalonians will now find they are able to review the abilities they have not yet obtained in their skills. Simply type AB as normal and all abilities yet to be learned will be shown in dark blue; including how many lessons it will require to acquire them.
New Avalon client: UMBRA beta-test version
It is now easier than ever to connect to Avalon using our new client, Umbra. Umbra functions across all browsers and all platforms and is especially designed for maximum convenience when connecting from your phone or tablet devices. It currently boasts a stylish design and easy to navigate interface and will soon include personalised aliases, variables and a brand new prompt display.
We will soon be releasing the full UMBRA v1.00. It will naturally work on all browsers and on any platforms including Google Play and Apple's App Store (depending how fast their bureaucracy moves!). This first official version will feature click, key or press button panels with standard Avalon settings, Avalon-aided setup and completely player-defined macros. It will be the first time phone users can engage in combat, march their legions, harvest their crops and go about their Avalon lives with total capability from both desktop and mobile phone devices.
To prove our new client capable of handling combat, there will be a challenge week on its release with Umbra represented by none other than Calladan, Xandamere and Salvador.
Gamesystem updates and combat balancing continues apace
Work continues on Avalon's gamesystem as hundreds more bugs are fixed and skills are tweaked in dozens of areas. A smattering of the recent updates include:
The silent threading of poisons for stealth users is possible once again, with doublethreading and thread-twining facilities available
Warfare siege with the battering ram, catapult and mortar bomb has been updated across the board to allow for more intelligent / tactical engagement
It is now possible to raise and breed pigs, boars and hogs of various kinds to further grow your farmyard flock
Furnaces, fires and forging fixed, tweaked and expanded allowing streamlined use of master forging and special fashioning of additional furnaces for guild, city or personal use
Thousands of herbs and poisons are re-seeded into the land in vast quantities after a series of fires leaving many lost and some barren
Numerous bugs fixed with trapping including realistic damage done, re-activation of the booby trapping ability and removal of unfeasible unfair multi-trap-stacking of many traps of the same type
Physical strike damage and healing figures tweaked, tested and adjusted to intended figures, rewarding the smart attacker and the clever defender
Forest affinity events tweaked and active once again - dozens of types - with positive affinity events far outnumbering the negative
Knightly trueslaying of demons is possible once again
Seer profession ongoing farsight endeavour (attack, free, enslave, blacken ) tweaked and adjusted to ensure accurate, reasonable timeframes for completion
Dozens of Avalon's HELP files have been expanded to reflect modern gamesystem features and provide more accurate info
NPC tutors come to Avalon: Combat trainers at all levels
Avalon now boasts highly intelligent NPCs. The NPCs are of much greater intelligence than regular CCCs and act and behave - in almost all ways - akin to a regular player.
Many of these NPCs are trainers and are always available to offer combat practice and tuition at all levels; enabling newborns and veteran Avalonians alike to practice their skills in real time, against a real opponent.
The gauntlet challenge has returned to Avalon
Avalonians of all levels are now seizing the gauntlet in the towns of Kenkria, Thaumacie and Goblin Town. Each of these areas has been updated to be a more challenging experience and the gauntlet challenge is simple: slay the residents of each area in the quickest time possible. In addition to the experience gained, spectators may gather around the arcane mirrors dotted throughout the land to witness the challengers fell or fail; the rewards for success are known to be particularly enticing...
Experiences, Deeds and Feats come to Avalon: the measure of character development and progression
Experience in Avalon can be thought of as a three-dimensional mosaic; each tile a different colour representing actions and experiences, achievements and deeds, honour and shame, feats and failures, events, successes, duties, meetings, quests, combats and battles, development of skills and standing, exploration and encounters and more. This is how Avalon now builds your character profile, your "mosaic" according to your outlook and defined by what you see and do. No two are alike.
"Experiences" number in the thousands and encompass the huge swathe of possibilities facing one's character. Many are commonplace, some are notoriously difficult while most will be encountered as a natural evolution of character activity.
"Deeds" are achievements of noteworthy significance. Some are only achievable once in a lifetime while others are mutually exclusive based on alignment / character outlook and how you have chosen to forge your path in Avalon. The completion of a Deed leaves a permanent mark in your character history, heralds an announcement that all in Avalon see, and edges your character another step along the path to becoming a legend.
"Feats" are accomplishments of such rarity and renown that their completion is a matter for the history books. The dedication and effort required for their completion is vast, and -it should go without saying - those who achieve them are invariably major players on the grand Avalon stage; all forces to be reckoned with no matter their creed.
Agarwain and Jashiri were the first Avalonians to attain the "century" and "greatlife" deeds. Just one more and the MOSAIC command will be unlocked for all Avalonians to look upon; to perceive a mirror of all the key moments of their lives so far. As Avalonian life unfolds, the challenge is made to all the land: Who will be the first LEGEND?
Timeline of Avalon history now featuring on the website
The timeline of Avalon history can now be found on the Avalon website. This timeline originated from no small amount of effort by Maud, often self-proclaimed historian of Avalon, and continues to be updated every day; the gods embroidering the rich tapestry of Avalon history with tales and events from our very long past. See it for yourself; those who have emblazoned their mark indelibly upon the land will no doubt find their name scattered across its history...
Cornelius unveils the Fang of Thakria; enlivening the thirst for blood
The month of Agamnion, 1377 aDW saw the skies of Avalon darken in unholy emptiness as Cornelius - formerly of magic and now Lord of the Void - rose ominously into the heavens. In his hands he held a single shard of light which he cast from the skies into the heart of the citadel of Thakria. Bellowing aloud a challenge to his beloved Thakrians, the void-god proclaimed, "Look upon your enemies with bleeding eyes and tear out their hearts. The Thakrian to claim this, my prize of the city, will receive the Fang of Thakria! Let the massacre of Mercinae begin."
The Thakrians - lately roused to action after ignominious defeat at the hands of their lifelong enemies Mercinae - were quick to take up the challenge. For the next two Avalon years, the citizens of Thakria rained death and carnage among the Mercinaens in a glorious display of violent slaughter. Chief among them: Zio, priest of the god of Stars and master of the Thieves. Though young himself in the land, the thief-assassin demonstrated a newfound dominance of the battlefield; routing his Mercinaen enemies in over a hundred fatal clashes.
Zio will soon claim his prize - The Fang of Thakria and the greatest respect of all Thakrians new or old. No Prince has sat on the throne of Thakria since Threap in the late 1360s and it is rumoured The Fang carries with it the promise of princely oath...
Agarwain claims #1 position in the combat rankings
After decades ranked #1 in the attack rating ranks, Sir Dunccan, knightly paradigm was finally toppled from his position by Agarwain, Enchanter and High Priest of the Void. Having enjoyed moderate success in the past, Agarwain now stands tall as one of the land's finest combatants; feared and respected by those on all sides of the land.
The month of May 2015 saw Avalon's death toll reach almost three thousand in number - the highest since 2012 - with Agarwain himself responsible for over five hundred of these executions. With the advent of Ordination XII and the return of the gem quests, Agarwain is doubtless hungry for more, and only time will tell whether he will join the ranks of the contenders.
Joely claims victory in a tournament of the immortals
Continuing May's theme of death and slaughter, a tournament was held by Proteus, god of the sea in the immortal combat format. A dozen mortals stepped forward to contend for the victor's prize: two hundred banknotes for use in Avalon's curiosity shops.
There is no playing field in Avalon more level and fair and indiscriminate than the immortal battleground. Players assume the guise of one of the immortal avatars - all high health, hard-hitting and of identical stature - and fight to the death until only one victorious survivor remains. The contenders fought a hard series of battles encompassing four rounds of bloodshed. ALL were equal and ALL had the opportunity to succeed.
The final pitch battle came down to Joely and Niun - both freshly returned to Avalon, both of Knight profession in their true mortal personae, and both determined to cut down the other and claim the prize. Niun hammered her competition, slaying four of the nine finalists personally while Joely destroyed the other three. The two clashed; swords swinging furiously, healing spells frantically chanted and cast, bows and arrows drawn and fired as the battle came down to the wires. With a final thrust of his sword, Joely in the guise of Geronimo cut down Niun (under her mantle of Beowulf) and stood victorious in the battle arena as The One.
Parrius seizes Coriona in the East while Mercinae looked West
In the wake of the Battle For Knightswood, Prince Dunccan of Mercinae returned to Avalon with demands for Parrius: peace, in exchange for the village of Coriona. Parrius - not content with their victory in Knightswood and imposition of martial law - spurned Mercinae's offer, readying themselves for war.
Some fifteen thousand Parrian troops, under Princess Xion and Field Marshall Agarwain were marched along the eastern highway, poised to seize by force the town of Coriona and ready to banish Mercinaen influence from the entire eastern continent.
The Parrians clashed with ten thousand well-trained and disciplined Mercinaen troops beside the Halfway Tavern. Hundreds of shots were exchanged; the devastation of the mortar shells matched only by the torrents of arrows. Illyism and Cid, on behalf of Mercinae, employed the hit and run tactics they had perfected against Thakria to whittle down the Parrian lines.
But it was not enough. Eight thousand Mercinaens fell. Eight thousand Parrians fell. Reinforcements had begun marching from the western gates of Parrius and - sensing defeat - the Mercinaens retreated to their homeland, surrendering Coriona to the flag of the crossed cutlasses.
Mercinae - days before jubilant with their victories against Thakria - now face a two-front war against the two most threatening superpowers in Avalon. Whether they succeed or surrender remains to be seen, but the forces of Light and Justice are not easily subdued...
Parrius grows hungry and attacks Kristanisti
Kristanisti - mere weeks ago the epicentre of the greatest victory in Silverfallian military history - found itself under attack yet again by the well-oiled war machine of Parrius. Led by Agarwain the Enchanter and Laramyn the Warrior, the ten thousand Parrians under their command smashed through the town's fortifications, battering rams thundering and catapults busily firing mortar-bombs, taking down a thousand of the highland city's army in the process.
Prince Quinn and newly appointed Field Marshall Joely were taken completely by surprise. With the Parrians intent on conquest and the town's defences already breached, there was little time and even fewer options. Parrius wanted Kristanisti. Silverfalls were not yet prepared to fight for it. A fragile peace was reached as negotiations were hastily arranged between the leaders of the two cities.
Before the gods of Time and Stars, Quinn and Joely met with Agarwain and Xion of Parrius to hear their terms: the immediate surrender of Kristanisti in exchange for three years of peace. Faced with a prepared, aggressive Parrian army, the Silverfallians had little choice. The deal was made and the treaty signed; Silverfallian forces would withdraw, allowing the flags of the crossed cutlasses to be raised in Parrian conquest.
As Silverfalls marshall themselves and their armies in their three year reprieve, another battle for Kristanisti must surely be in the near future...
It is now possible to keep abreast of military affairs from the Avalon website. Simply select the Military Affairs tab to gain an insight on the military landscape as it stands.
The new ordination season began with the sapphire divine gem quest on May 2nd
November 2014 saw Avalon's 25th anniversary reach a coda with the ordination of Elmaethor, god of the stars from Salvador. Six months later it was his privilege to raise the curtain on a new ordination season with a battle-sandsquest for the divine sapphire of wisdom.
The quest played out over seven hours of competitive combat involving dozens of players. Six hotly-contested rounds of sands quests on the Battleisle saw ILLYISM claim the grand prize; casting the divine sapphire into the pool of the Rock Pinnacle and becoming the first contender for Ordination XII.
Test your knowledge in the monthly Avalon quizzes on 21st June and 21st July
Each month, the grand prize of one THOUSAND lessons (or its equivalent in Avalon currency) is up for competition in the Avalon quiz.
The next quizzes will take place on Sunday 21st June and Saturday 21st July at 10PM by the Avalon clock (5PM EST). Everyone is invited to participate and put their knowledge to the test in a series of questions both Avalon and real world related.
Ordination XII continues with the onyx gem quest
In the aftermath of the sapphire quest, Avalonians find themselves with a newly ignited fire for combat in their bellies. In keeping with this competitive atmosphere, the quest for the divine onyx will be presided over by Sylvanus, god of the earth in the battle-sands format.
The quest will be held on Saturday, June 27th at 10PM by the Avalon clock (5PM EST). ALL are invited to participate and ALL have a chance at victory. The Battleisle quests are an excellent opportunity to learn from elder Avalonians; to scour some knowledge from the veteran combatants in the land.
To compete for a chance at Avalon's greatest prize, JOIN GEMQUEST in Avalon to sign up!
Do you still have the courage and fortitude to face to face Avalon's unique challenge?
The oldest, most immersive roleplaying game in the world awaits.
