Balance of Power

February 2013 - Announcements Page

Teaser Images
Click image for full size version.

Patch Details
Patch Date: 20th Feb, 2013 Patch Size: 936k (Client: 4,644k) Hotfix : Patch 9k, (26th February) - Refer here for more details. Hotfix #2 : Patch 9k Client: 4,644k, (4th March) - Refer here for more details.

Town Crier Rumors
Free Rumors:
 * Town Crier tells you, "I just saw the strangest thing.  Someone ran by with a golem following after them, but it wasn't trying to harm them at all."


 * Town Crier tells you, "I've heard rumors of items with stronger magics upon them.  I guess it's time for me to brush up on my weapon skills."


 * Town Crier tells you, "I've heard reports that an A'nekshay near Neftet is seeking aid with something inside the canyons."


 * Town Crier tells you, "I've heard rumors of protective items that increase one's ratings.  What will they think of next?"


 * Town Crier tells you, "I've heard reports that one of the Gear Knights at the encampment near the spectral Hoshino Kei's fortress is seeking aid with something."


 * Town Crier tells you, "I've heard reports of a collector somewhere in southern Osteth seeking aid in some acquisitions."

Pyreal Rumors:
 * Town Crier tells you, "News!  The Arcanum has mastered the ancient arts of Summoning, and is teaching the skills to those who wish to learn."
 * Town Crier tells you, "Summoning Essences can be purchased in Holtburg, Shoushi, Yaraq or Sanamar, or can be found in the wilds."


 * Town Crier tells you, "News! Equipment has been found in the most dangerous areas of Dereth that increases the ratings of the wearer!"


 * Town Crier tells you, "News! Many creatures in the most dangerous areas of Dereth have been found to be carrying items with magical power exceeding everything seen to date!"


 * Town Crier tells you, "One of the Gear Knight officers at the encampment outside of the spectral Hoshino Kei's fortress is seeking adventurers to aid in the location of a missing soldier."


 * Town Crier tells you, "There's an A'nekshay at the Neftet Encampment seeking adventurers to help him investigate strange magical disturbances within the Valley of Neftet's underground catacombs."


 * Town Crier tells you, "I've heard rumor of an Umbraen collector in Kara that is seeking skilled adventurers for a hunt in the Graveyard of Despair."

Ulgrim Rumors
Free Rumors:
 * Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Finally, I just might be able to teach one of those golems to keep my tankard full of stout."
 * Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Why would I need to do that? Oh I don't know..."
 * Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Maybe because my usual sources have been pretty lacking lately."
 * Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Did you get that? I don't think you did because I don't see a stout going from your hand to mine."


 * Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "People are running around everywhere to create new suits of armor."
 * Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Armor comes and goes, but a good robe never goes out of style."


 * Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I used to have these Chorizite Chests that I stored my treasure in."
 * Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "The other night I was wandering through some dungeons and may have had just a little too much to drink."
 * Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "All I know is, now my Chorizite Chests are gone and I'm out of stout."
 * Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "One of those things is very unacceptable."

Stout Rumors:
 * Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I don't know if I'd trust those Oracles."
 * Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Slowly they release ways to augment one's abilities for the price of luminance."
 * Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "What are they doing with that luminance? Is it what makes their eyes glow?"
 * Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Or is it a step to them regaining power over all of these lands?"
 * Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I know I'd be safe, but what about you?"


 * Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "So I've seen people running around with new loot."
 * Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I've had a full set of Mystical gear for years now."
 * Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Oh you think Legendarys are good? You have no idea..."


 * Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Necromancers, Primalists, Naturalists; what is this world coming to?"
 * Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Warriors can no longer fight for themselves?"
 * Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I'd rather summon Pancake Golems."
 * Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Nothing goes better with a good stout than a stack of pancakes."
 * Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "That's a hint since clearly you aren't good at figuring those out."

New UI and Game Changes

 * New skill introduced allowing players to call forth short-lived minions to aid them in their battles across Dereth. (after level 50, chose a mastery at Arwic statues)
 * Loot Tier 8 introduced.
 * Higher wield req (10 points above the previous max wields) with higher damages.
 * "Legendary" cantrips. see below
 * Society [Armor] Chests have been switched over to tier 8 and have had luck applied (Quartermaster chests are unchanged).
 * Tier 8 armor/clothing/jewelry has a level 180 wield requirement.
 * Legendary Armor/Weapon/Magic chests are found inside certain dungeons. Those same quests reward Legendary Keys used to open the chests. These keys have a 24 hr lifespan.
 * Aged Legendary Keys can be found as Shattered Legendary Key on creatures or earned through certain kill tasks. They open chests located in Arwic. ** These keys have no lifespan, however the Shattered Legendary Key version has a 24 hr lifespan that is removed when the key is successfully re-assembled. - You carefully reassemble the shattered crystalline key, making it usable.
 * New Chorizite Chests with timers are hidden in certain dungeons. These chests can only be opened using Lockpick.
 * Armor in Tier 8 can drop with Critical Damage Rating or Critical Damage Resist Rating. Each piece can generate with a rating as high as 2. All pieces stack together.
 * Clothing/Cloaks in Tier 8 can drop with Damage Rating or Damage Resist Rating. Each piece can generate with a rating as high as 3. All pieces stack together.
 * Jewelry/Trinkets in Tier 8 can drop with Max Health Boost rating or Healing Rating. Each piece can go up to 3. All pieces stack together.
 * Hunting Areas that drop new tier 8 loot:
 * Hoshino Fortress
 * Graveyard
 * Mhoire Castle
 * Tou-Tou
 * Inner Neftet
 * Creature levels and corresponding loot tiers adjusted (ongoing).
 * <=15 - Tier 1
 * 20-30 - Tier 2
 * 40-50 - Tier 3
 * 60-80 - Tier 4
 * 100-115 -Tier 5
 * 135-160 - Tier 6
 * 185+ - Tier 7
 * Many creature types have been rebalanced as part of an ongoing update. See below for the current list.
 * Updated Castable Level 8 Item Self spells to equal their loot-only versions:
 * Aura of Incantation of Blood Drinker now adds +24 damage instead of +22
 * Aura of Incantation of Spirit Drinker now adds 8% instead of +7%
 * Aura of Incantation of Defender now adds 20% meleed mod
 * Epic cantrips increased in power
 * Epic Attribute & Mastery cantrips increased to +25 instead of +20.
 * Epic Wards from ?? to ??
 * Epic Rejuvenation type cantrips to 45% from 40%
 * Epic Hermetic Link introduced
 * Legendary cantrips now available
 * Legendary Attribute & Mastery cantrips add +35
 * Legendary wards add ??
 * Legendary Rejuvenation cantrips add ??

New Quests

 * Count Phainor's Amulet
 * Janthef's Release
 * Save Karul

Updated Quests

 * Quests with rewards updated to Loot Tier 8.
 * Rescuing Mouf P - 2 use Legendary Key added
 * Hoshino Fortress Infiltration - 4 Legendary Keys added
 * Ninja Academy
 * Tanada Intercept and Slaughter - 2 Legendary Keys added
 * Nanjou Stockade - Legendary Key added
 * Releasing the Light - 2 Legendary Keys added
 * First Sister - Legendary Key and Morning Seed updated
 * Second Sister - Legendary Key and Harvest Seed updated
 * Third Sister - Legendary Key added and Twilight Seed upgraded
 * Defeat Hoshino Kei - 5 Use Legendary Key added and Empowered Robe of Utter Darkness was upgraded.
 * Foundry of Izexi Quest
 * Slave Master Quest
 * Castle of Lord Mhoire - 2 use Legendary Key added that replaces the 5 Use Mhoire Castle Treasury Key (those keys still drop on Mhoire and in dungeon loot), Sealed Treasury Vaults moved one room over and the three former vault rooms now house 8 chests (Armor right path, Magic middle path, Weapons left path, see map for locations).
 * Oubliette of Mhoire Castle Quest
 * Mhoire Infiltration - 3 use Legendary Key added
 * Geraine's Hosts
 * Lost Ruins Quest - 1 Legendary Key added
 * Tou Tou kill Tasks now also give two Legendary Tokens (20 = a Legendary Key)
 * Devourer Margul Kill Task
 * Grievver Shredder Kill Task
 * Shadow Kill Task
 * Shadow Flyer Kill Task
 * Void Lord Kill Task
 * Neftet kill Tasks now also give two Legendary Tokens (20 = a Legendary Key)
 * Stone Tablet Collecting - Legendary Key replaced Mana Forge Key
 * A'nekshay Bracer Collecting
 * Reedshark Hunting: Lost City of Neftet
 * Mumiyah Hunting: Lost City of Neftet
 * Golem Hunting: Lost City of Neftet
 * Armoredillo Hunting: Lost City of Neftet
 * Prickly Pear Collecting
 * Hoshino kill Tasks now also give two Legendary Token (20 = a Legendary Key)
 * Golem Samurai Kill Task
 * Spectral Archer Kill Task
 * Spectral Claw Kill Task
 * Spectral Bushi Kill Task
 * Spectral Mage Kill Task
 * Spectral Minion Kill Task
 * Spectral Nanjou Shou-jen Kill Task
 * Spectral Samurai Kill Task


 * Monthly Explorer Society Quests
 * WARNING: These quests are standalone quests, the xp bonuses are strictly handled by the NPCs in Kara, speak to them after finishing to get your bonus. Also your timer for the bonuses depend on when you completed last month's set of quests, speak to each NPC to find out if your timer hasn't expired yet. More details here.


 * Ansar El-Kerdany: ( Monthly ) - The Temple of Liazk Itzi
 * Ansar El-Kerdany tells you, "Greetings, Adventurer! We are looking for adventurers willing to explore the Temple of Liazk Itzi"
 * Ansar El-Kerdany tells you, "Watch your step in that dangerous place, and I shall reward you upon your return."
 * - Completion Message;
 * Ansar El-Kerdany tells you, ""


 * Esmond Fielding: ( Bi-Weekly ) - Arcane Pedestal Quest
 * Esmond Fielding tells you, "Greetings, Adventurer! The Explorer Society has decided it would help direct attention to citizens in need of help."
 * Esmond Fielding tells you, "This month we have decided that you may find the magic of an Arcane Pedestal intriguing."
 * Esmond Fielding tells you, "Discover the secrets to constructing one of these devices and I shall reward you."
 * - Completion Message;
 * Esmond Fielding tells you, "You managed to assemble the Arcane Pedestal. You are a clever one. Enjoy this reward."


 * Niccolo De Luca: ( Weekly ) - Brewmaster Quest
 * Niccolo De Luca tells you, "Greetings, Adventurer! The Explorer Society has decided it would help direct attention to citizens in need of help"
 * Niccolo De Luca tells you, "This month we have decided that... alright I'll be honest. Ulgrim begged us to direct people to Rand this month."
 * Niccolo De Luca tells you, "It seems he really wants more Brewmasters in this world. Convince Rand to let you see his Brewmaster's Bible and I'll reward you."
 * - Completion Message;
 * Niccolo De Luca tells you, "I can smell by your breath that you've been studying brewing in some form at least. Here is your reward and if you see Ulgrim let him know that we're even now."


 * Monthly Game Hunter
 * WARNING: These Kill Tasks are standalone quests, the xp bonuses are strictly handled by the Rand, Game Hunter in Holtburg, speak to Rand after finishing each Kill Task to get your bonus.
 * Rand, Game Hunter tells you, "As a game hunter I've tagged a variety of creatures to test your skills. Kill these creatures to test your skills and prove your abilities and I'll make it worth your while."
 * Rand, Game Hunter tells you, "This month I've tagged Tusker Rampagers as the moderate difficulty prey."
 * Rand, Game Hunter tells you, "This month I've tagged Crystalline Wisps as the medium difficulty prey."
 * Rand, Game Hunter tells you, "This month I've tagged Drudges in the Valley of Death and Withered Atoll as the high difficulty prey."
 * Rand, Game Hunter tells you, "This month I've tagged Dark Isle Shadows as one of the most difficult prey."
 * Rand, Game Hunter tells you, "This month I've tagged Lugians in Path of the Blind as the other prey of highest difficulty."

New NPCs

 * Calitoth - Neftet Legendary Chest Room
 * Grularr Wa'ydo
 * Geomancers
 * Asenala - 42.6N, 33.9E in Holtburg
 * Iaret - 21.6S, 1.6W in Yaraq
 * Sacmisi - 33.8S, 72.6E in Shoushi
 * Keminub - 71.8N, 61.4W in Sanamar
 * Nekshla - 22.2S, 6.2E at the Encampment near Neftet
 * Janthef - inside Desert Dwelling
 * Spirit of Janthef - inside Desert Dwelling
 * Lieutenant Roothe at the Royal Tent
 * Lieutenant Karul inside Samurai Bushi

Updated NPCs

 * Green Society Agents - No longer give Teleportation Device to the Facility Hub, and instead now give a Facility Hub Portal Gem.
 * Barkeeper AmberJill - The Contract for Buried Alive and Contract for Protecting Picketed Pets were both added.
 * Barkeep Jauhar - The Contract for Ritual Disruption, Contract for Ritual Investigation and Contract for Defeat Hoshino Kei were all added.
 * T'ing Setsuko - The reward was changed from an Adventurer's Token to 2 Legendary Tokens for the A'nekshay Bracer Collecting quest.
 * Sir Hassim bin Tamarek - The reward was changed from an Adventurer's Token to 2 Legendary Tokens for the Reedshark Hunting: Lost City of Neftet quest.
 * Sir Adarl - The reward was changed from an Adventurer's Token to 2 Legendary Tokens for the Mumiyah Hunting: Lost City of Neftet quest.
 * Dame Tularin - The reward was changed from an Adventurer's Token to 2 Legendary Tokens for the Armoredillo Hunting: Lost City of Neftet quest.
 * Hammah al Rundik - The reward was changed from an Adventurer's Token to 2 Legendary Tokens for the Prickly Pear Collecting quest.
 * Taylarn bint Tulani - The reward was changed from an Adventurer's Token to 2 Legendary Tokens for the Stone Tablet Collecting quest.
 * Sir Ibreh bin Kassim - The reward was changed from 4 Adventurer's Tokens to 4 Legendary Tokens for the Golem Hunting: Lost City of Neftet quest.

New Locations

 * Count Phainor's Tomb - 65.0S, 44.1W in the Graveyard ([[Media:5862.png|Map]])
 * Desert Dwelling - 21.0S, 7.6E in the City of Neftet
 * Samurai Bushi, portal is on 2nd floor of the building at 79.7N 40.8W.

New Titles

 * Title

Portal.dat

 * [[File:Portaldat 201302.png]]

Updated Creatures

 * Creatures rebalanced (attributes, skills)
 * Armoredillos
 * Auroch
 * Banderlings
 * Carenzi
 * Chittick
 * Drudges
 * Eaters
 * Fiun
 * Gurog
 * Idols
 * Mosswarts
 * Olthoi
 * Phyntos Wasps
 * Reedsharks
 * Shallows Shark
 * Ruschk
 * Skeletons
 * Tuskers
 * Undead
 * Mu-miyah
 * Elementals
 * Grievvers
 * Marguls
 * Shadows
 * Golems
 * Moars

Images
Click image for full size.

Known Issues

 * The Nanjou Shou-jen Academy portal is broken preventing you from doing the Ninja Academy quest.
 * The new NPC in the Tanada Toresen Temple takes your masks but does not give a reward.
 * Geraine's Hosts no longer rewards a Reinforced Mana Forge Key for turning in all 7 books, nor does it reward a Legendary Key in its place (unconfirmed if bug).
 * Hotfix : Patch 9k, (26th February) - Refer here for original post by Severlin -
 * We are looking at deploying a patch tomorrow with a number of fixes:
 * Creatures no longer receive Damage Reduction Rating for specialized defense skills.
 * Fixed an issue where alchemy phials and weapon debuff procs were not working.
 * Fixed a bug that could reduce the experience points for creature kills.
 * Phyntos Wasp Summoning Essences can now be refilled with Encapsulated Spirit items.
 * Olthoi Slasher, Slayer, Ripper and Gurog creatures have been fixed.
 * Characters will have their quest flags for the Skill Temple reset with the patch.
 * Upon logging in after the Hotfix ;
 * The Temples of Forgetfulness and Enlightenment have had the timer for their use reset!


 * Hotfix #2 : Patch 9k Client: 4,644k, (4th March) - Refer here for original post by Tolero
 * More changes implemented to reduce overall lag on Darktide.

Typos

 * Society Agents still mention orb instead of the new gem.
 * Flinrala Ryndmad tells you, "It has also been requested that I start handing out these orbs (sic)."