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Set Sail! Begin Your Adventure! --Florensia Interview |
21st April 2008, 08:46 |
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Enter the adventuresome world, discover the wideness of the Ocean, explore the land together with your friends and many other adventurers. Experience a completely new gameplay and learn how to trade, to steer and to fight on the water.Florensia, an MMOG afloat and ashore! Not only in the dungeons deep in the heartland, but as well on and below the water, numerous challenges and dangers are waiting for you. Sounds exciting? let Simone Lackerbauer, a Marketing Coordinator of Burda-ic, give us more details about Florensia.
First congratulations, you've successfully launched the first closed beta for Florensia on March 20th, 2008. How is everything going on with the testing? What's the feedback? Does it meet your expectations?
Simone Lackerbauer: Thank you very much! The test was a great success for us. The 700 players we chose out of 20.000 registered users gave us a lot of feedback via our forum. The beta absolutely met our expectations. There were no major bug issues and the positive responses regarding quests, teamplay and graphics quality showed us Florensia can and will be a great success outside Asia as well.
Why did you name the game "Florensia"? Does it have anything related to the storyline of the game? Any story behind it?
Simone Lackerbauer: Before the world of Florensia we know today came into existence, there was only one huge continent called Lux Plena and it was full of magic. Due to corruption and war, Lux Plena almost completely got destroyed and all that's left are the few known islands and the vast sea. But the governors of our world today know there is more to be discovered than only these islands. In the old language, "Florensia" means "travelling and working for your goals, going ahead on the way of life". Everyone in the known world �C may it be the pirates, the brave adventurers or the monsters on the open sea �C is working for their goals, so that "Florensia" becomes the reason for their existence.
It seems a lot of players are eager to play Florensia. And many players feel frustrated that they failed to receive a CB key. In your opinion, why Florensia is so appealing to them?
Simone Lackerbauer: First of all, common facts like the exceptionally appealing graphics and the whole look and feel of the game attract the players. We think our players know that Florensia is more than just a f2p MMOG. They can see we have a growing community which is one of the most important things for a massively multiplayer online game. They also know there is way more behind Florensia than what they have already seen. With the upcoming features, such as the battle pet system and the advanced job classes (and many more we can't name yet), the variety of things you can actually do in Florensia will significantly increase. The well-balanced interdependence of land and sea adventures is also an important aspect.
To tell the truth, I'm fascinated with the graphics of Florensia, which are in cartoon style and not too realistic. Would you care to talk more about the art design of Florensia?
Simone Lackerbauer: We are happy to hear that. The combination of cuteness, individual styles, sophisticated landscapes and dangerous monsters alongside the Japanese art design is really popular in our community. The team behind the graphics and the illustrations is amazing, we already received a lot pictures, for example the illustrations of the Black Dragons Pirate Hideout. One of the creative directors from the game Granado Espada has joined Netts for working on Florensia and we really love the special style of Florensia. For us, the look of a game is really important, because the players have to be able to identify with it.
As we know most navigation online games are based on the real history of the world, but Florensia is an exception. It is a fantasy MMO. What were your considerations?
Simone Lackerbauer: It is not possible to compare Florensia with any other game about seafaring. The naval adventures are closely combined with the adventures in the countryside and even when steering a ship, the personal character is still the decisive aspect. This concept really attracted us and we don't see Florensia as naval strategy game, but as MMOG with exciting features both afloat and ashore.
Compared with other navigation online games, what kinds of innovations and unique features do you have in Florensia?
Simone Lackerbauer: As already mentioned, the seafaring adventures in Florensia are a huge innovation. You can as well reach a higher sea level with your character, so everything is based on the things you yourself do inside the game. When reaching a higher level, it is only logical to extend your journey to the open sea and both parts don't rival. Besides, Florensia is very special regarding the high quality of all the contents that are and will be available. Instead of flooding the players with half-heartedly created contents, every new feature is following a straight concept to support the development of the player's personal character. Another considerable innovation is the introduction of ambitious PvP contents bit by bit. Unfortunately, we can't say more about that, but within a guild or party, teamplay and fighting strategies in sieges will become important in the future.
You emphasize that land adventure is as important as marine adventure in Florensia. So, what exciting experiences can we have on the land in Florensia? Will there be a large number of instances?
Simone Lackerbauer: The world of Florensia has not yet fully been discovered and further islands will be added to the existing maps. Every island and even the ocean inherit a lot of secrets and thus the answer is yes, there will be more dungeons and places for the players to discover. Besides, a big part of the PvP features will as well take place in the countryside.
Currently, there are 4 basic classes in Florensia. Can you basically introduce them to our readers? What sort of unique traits will each of them have? What will the job change system like in Florensia? And what will be the requirements for players to change job?
Simone Lackerbauer: The current basic classes are called Mercenary (a melee warrior type of fighter), Explorer (a swift and agile gunslinger), Noble (a mystic mage and illusionist) and Saint (bringer of light and healing as well as darkness).
Each of the four classes benefits from special buffs and skills for strengthening defense and attack and they all have offensive skills based on melee or ranged combat. Due to the various weapon types, different specializations are possible. Nobles can be played with light swords as well as with the magic energy converter called Kariad, Explorers don't only rely on guns and Mercenaries can choose to wear a shield or not. Thus, many various types and builds of adventurers are available for the players which will hopefully lead to interesting discussions.
As already indicated, the Mercenary is a brave melee warrior who can either tank and withstand enemies or choose the offensive way of combat.
The Explorer is a fleet-fooded master of swiftness with many powerful and lethal attacks for either guns or light melee weapons.
Nobles fight with elemental and spiritual magic power and illusions to trap and kill their enemies in a very effective way.
Saints can either support their friends as healers using the power of light. But they can as well attack with the divine power of light and nature or call upon the shadows of the night.
The first job change in Florensia takes place when the character reaches level 40. Each of the basic job classes can then choose between two advanced classes depending on their preferences. Without foreclosing too much �C the Saint will for example be able to choose the way of divine power or to concentrate on mystic energies and rites all around nature.
There is a rumored class Pirate Class on your official website. Can you reveal some more details about this class to our readers? Do you have any plan to release it in the second closed beta?
Simone Lackerbauer: Yes, there are rumors about a fifth base character class called Pirate who is supposed to be a sneaky melee fighter with sudden attack attributes at short distances. Unfortunately, we don't know yet when and how the Pirate will be introduced.
As a navigation-themed online game, sea battles must play an important role in Florensia. What kind of combat system will be available? And how will the PvP system look like?
Simone Lackerbauer: Unfortunately, we currently can't say more about the sea battles and PvP systems than what has already been described answering the other questions. We are eagerly waiting for the moment to reveal the siege warfare feature and the extension of the PvP battles.
How can players get their ships? So far, how many different kinds of ships are available for the players?
Simone Lackerbauer: Ship pieces can both be found and bought at different locations. In the harbor, the player can build his ship using different parts, such as main mast, ship rear, ship anchor and many more. Currently, there are five different ship types in different sizes:
Ironclads are huge armored ships with strong defensive abilities that won't draw aside when it comes to direct confrontations
Ram Ships are swift offensive ships that cause lethal damage using cannons or shocking horns
Giant Cannon Ships are specialized on long-distance fights and can cause damage to a wide area
Assault Frigates don't have the highest defensive or offensive powers, but due to their high speed, they can swiftly fire at enemies with their torpedoes without getting caught
Logistic Support Ships can repair other ships by means of various repair devices and buffs and furthermore, they can place underwater mines to slow the enemies
The higher the player's naval level, the better the ship. By completing the naval skill tree, a player's ship can use various new abilities. For setting sail, a crew has to be hired at the harbor (anything from sea veterans to lazy scoundrels is available). Furthermore, custom sails can be designed.
Many players are eager to know when you will launch the next closed beta for Florensia. Is there any sort of solid schedule for the second closed beta or open beta?
Simone Lackerbauer: The second CB of Florensia will start on Friday, April 18 and last more than one week. More players will get access to the game and we are really looking forward to see our international community grow and explore Florensia. There will be a third CB before the start of the Open Beta as well. The Open Beta is scheduled for end of May / beginning of June. |
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Maple Story 2 Closed Beta Beckons |
21st April 2008, 08:12 |
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KeyWord: Maple Story 2,CB,screenshot,detail Date: 04-01-2008
Summary: After conducting sufficient closed beta testing, the second project of Maple Story Series is back! MapleStory 2 is expected to launch open beta on April 1st, 2008.
After conducting sufficient closed beta testing, the second project of Maple Story Series is back! MapleStory 2 is expected to launch open beta in Q1, 2008. We waited such a long time for MapleStory 2, now the popular masterpiece will give us a pretty new world to explore! Check the details about MS2 below, and keep an eye on MMOsite feature each week for additional new MMO introductions, reviews, OB/CB news from the world of MMO Gaming.
Playable Characters
There will be six playable characters in MapleStory 2 and it's unclear whether there will more characters to be released in the future. The four playable characters in MapleStory, Warrior, Magician, Bowman and Thief will be available in MapleStory 2 and the two new characters are Fighter and Cleric. The character creation screen in MapleStory 2 will give you a feel of grandeur whose background is a large picture of the character you're selecting. On the right, you can find character introduction which will help you decide which character to select. And on the bottom you and find some badges which represent different characters. Click the badges to switch between different characters. MapleStory 2 has a very extensive job change system. Players can get a fifth job which is not available in its predecessor.
Maps
The diversified maps in MapleStory will be available in MapleStory 2 and players will have a new continent to explore in MapleStory 2. This continent has a vast territory and some areas are only limited to some certain jobs.
Game balance
Players will be free to distribute attribute points despite of the large number of jobs. When they create their character, they will have to throw the dice to decide his initial attribute points. And the character's level and attributes will decide whether the player can change his job and which job he can advance to.
Quests
MapleStory 2 inherits its predecessor in terms of the quests. The storyline quests will be a highlight in MapleStory 2. And there are a large number of dungeon quests, i.e. instances. And there are quests designed only for groups. The group leader and group members have to take their respective roles and work together in order to fulfill the quest. And of course, the quest rewards will be decent.
Others
The introduction of books, food, mobile phones, ATM and other real life items will make the game even more appealing and dynamic. And more importantly, there is a possibility that you'll get a rare pet from monsters!
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Prisoners of Their Mind |
16th April 2008, 09:30 |
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Our GMs always push the limits and go exploring in places they shouldn’t so they can bring you stories and events with fabulous prizes. You didn’t think they just pulled those prizes out of thin air did you? Well, unfortunately while on a recent trip to sneak into a Black Dragon’s nest, they were cursed when the Dragon awoke and found them there…they became corrupted and lost their sanity. They were then teleported to the Demonic World to stand guard and they will kill whoever they meet.
Players’Quest
Get rid of the vicious GMs (once they are killed, they will quit the battle)
Quest Loot:
After killing 1 GM, he/she will drop 1 Kal Runestone.
Start Time:
Dream Island
At 9:00pm, April 15th: Rainbow Isle & Mermaid Isle
At 9:00pm, April 16th: Coral Isle & Penguin Isle
At 9:00pm, April 17th: Treasure Isle & Skull Isle
At 9:00pm, April 20th: Gem Isle & Phoenix Isle.
Mystic Ocean
At 9:00pm, April 21st: Aegean Sea & Black Sea
At 9:00pm, April 22nd: Red Sea & Dead Sea
At 9:00pm, April 23th: Eternal Sea & Angelic Sea
Note: At the beginning of the event, there will be a system announcement. Please pay attention and wait for it.
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The Ludibrium Maze Party-Quest |
16th April 2008, 09:27 |
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Requirements
You must be between level 51-70 to participate
Your party must consist of at least 3 members.
You must complete the quest in under 15:00 minutes
The Ludibrium Maze PQ as its name suggests is located in the main center of Ludibrium, atop the clock-tower. If you can't reach the platform by jumping there is a warp point located the base of the clock-tower. Shown here:
To enter the Maze you have to talk Rolly. Of course, if there is another party already inside you have to wait for them to exit the Maze before you can attempt it.
Pre-Entrance Party tips:
You need a minimum of 3 party members to enter the PQ; however, they say there is safety in numbers. If someone loses all their HP or disconnects from the game and you go under 3 members you'll be sent outside. Also, the more members you bring the more damage you can deal to enemies.
On the opposite side of this, the more members you bring along the "clumsier" your party can get. Someone may get lost or move away from the keyboard and hold up the whole party.
The best suggestion is to weigh your party members. If you bring members who can deal a lot more damage, you don't really need more party members to accomplish the same goal. However if the party is somewhat weak, you may want to bolster your numbers.
You don't need class-specific Party skills, however that does not mean you won't want them. A Rogues Haste is especially nice for the challenge, and so is a Clerics heal. You can toggle between many party skills.
Ludi-Maze Overview:
Party-Quest goal: Collect over 30 Passes from the monsters inside and find Pietri to exit the maze. If you do not collect over 30 passes you will still receive [a small amount] of EXP points, however you won't be rewarded a special prize.
Ludibrium Maze consists of 16 separate rooms, linked together by 3 different portals, each room containing 3 different boxes. One of those three boxes contains a variety of different monsters, and there's a chance that the monsters will either drop orange colored Passes, Mana Elixirs, or both. The passes are most important, as you need at least 30 to get a special prize at the end of the quest. Also, each pass you collect is worth a bonus 20exp Points. The more your party leader has when he exits, the more EXP you'll get.
Navigating The Maze:
As stated, there's 16 rooms in the Ludi Maze and they're connected by 3 different portals located in the center of each room. Your party will be spawned randomly in rooms 1-15. Each portal is designated to move you up or down a certain number of rooms:
Room 16 is where Pietri is located, and your all your party members have to find it to exit. It can only be accessed one way however: You must find Room 9 and enter the Middle portal. (I don't know why, but you can't find room 4 and go up 4 times to get to 16).
To help you along, just remember the Odds & Evens rule:
Even + Even = Even
Even + Odd = Odd
Odd + Odd = Even
Even - Odd = Odd
Odd - Odd = Even
Not terribly sure if the maze completely follows the rules though...
Completion Methods:
There's two different methods to completing the Maze: The Revised (short) method and the Full PQ Method
Full PQ:
Find every room and kill every monster you can before 15 minutes runs out. This method is not very much used any longer; for reasons I will explain in the Revised Method. However, you can get more EXP in one run, and you can also collect a lot of extra Mana Elixirs.
Revised PQ:
The basis of the revised method is the Tauromacis in rooms 6 & 7. The Tauromacis have a chance of dropping 50 passes each, and there's 3 Tauromacis in each room. So there's a chance of walking away with up to 300 passes. Why waste time, money, and effort clearing out the other rooms and gain minimal amounts of passes when you can clear two rooms and get a possible 50-300 passes? Much faster exp in a shorter amount of time = win.
Of course if you can get right back into the Maze you can get a lot of experience and prizes.
Common Pass #'s and EXP:
50 = 2500 EXP
100 = 5000 EXP
150 = 7500 EXP
200 = 10 000 EXP
250 = 12 500 EXP
300 = 15 000 EXP
Note: If you die inside the maze you only lose 1% of your experience.
To assist with this, here's a somewhat confusing chart created by Yokuyin of Scania:
This chart lets you find any room from anywhere: specifically rooms 6 and 7 which are highlighted, and also the exit in room 16. It looks pretty confusing at first, but if you know what everything means it's fairly simple to read. For instance lets say you're in room 5 and want to get to room 7, you want to go in portals in this order: Left-Left-Right-Right.
As you can also see there's a pattern moving diagonally from right/left.
List of LMPQ Prizes:
Equips:
Emergency Rescue Tube
Blood Snowboard
Red Hearted Earrings
Yellow Umbrella
Scrolls: (Come in all varities (10%, 30%, 60%, 70%) unless specified)
Overall Armor for DEF
Topwear for DEF
Bottomwear for DEF
Shield for DEF
Cape for Wep. DEF
Cape for Mag. DEF
Shield for DEF
10% Cape for INT
10% Cape for DEX
Use:
100 Mana Elixirs
100 Dried Squids
100 OJ's
50 Watermelons
50 Pure Waters
20 Fat Sausages
20 Grape Juices
20 Fruit Milks
20 Strawberry Milks
20 Coffe Milks
5 Pink Elixirs
5 Red Bean Sundaes
1 Power Elixir
Once you exit the PQ you have to talk to the NPC outside and click "yes" to get your prize. And then you're taken to another exit and you have to click "Ok" before you're taken back to Ludibrium. |
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tonight i feel close to you |
11th April 2008, 10:49 |
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Music address
close my eyes and feel your mind, 我闭上眼睛感受你的心灵
time has passed 时间缓缓走过
i walk like a shadow 我像影子一般行走
never knew what i am going through 不知道要去哪
you touch my heart and take my breath away 你触动了我的心带走了我的呼吸
whisper on the wind so softly 风中温柔的密语
let the bright stars fill our dreams with love 让明亮的星星用爱充满了我们的梦想
reach for your hand (you're holding my key) 你告诉我如何握着你的手（你牵动着我）
and you show me the way
tonight, i feel close to you 今晚 我感觉与你如此亲近
you open my door and light the sky above 你打开我的门头顶的天空顿时明亮
when i need a friend, you are there right by my side 每当我需要一个朋友的时候你就在我身旁
i wish we could stay as one 我希望我们能如影相随
i wish we could stay forever as one 我希望我们能永远如影相随
all the tears that haunt my past 从前的泪水在眼前闪现
you promised it'll be better tomorrow 你承诺我明天会更好
play that song 唱这首歌
you and i listened to 我们聆听着
and let it gently ease our pain 让它温柔的减轻我们的痛苦
tender rain drops from the blue sky 温柔的雨从蓝天落下
flowers blooming, life is so divine 鲜花盛开，生命如此神圣
like sunlight on a stream (you're holding my key) 就像一缕阳光（你牵动着我）
you show the world to me 是你把这个世界展现给我
tonight, i feel close to you 今晚，我感觉与你如此亲近
you open my door and light the sky above 你打开我的门 头顶的天空顿时明亮
when i need a friend, you are there right by my side 当我需要一个朋友的时候 你就在我身旁
i wish we could stay as one 我希望我们能如影相随
so much love in this beautiful world 这美丽的世界充满爱
search for the brightest star in the sky 在寻找天空中最亮的星星时
you will find the meaning of love 你会发现爱的真谛
don't be afraid (don't be afraid) 别害怕
just be yourself (just be yourself) 只是做你自己
we need this love... i've never knew 我们需要这种以前从未感受到的爱
tonight, i feel close to you 今晚，我感觉与你如此亲近
you open my door and light the sky above 你打开我的门 头顶的天空顿时明亮
when i need a friend, you are there right by my side 当我需要一个朋友的时候 你就在我身旁
i wish we could stay as one 我希望我们能如影相随
tonight, i feel close to you 今晚，我感觉与你如此亲近
you open my door and light the sky above 你打开我的门 头顶的天空顿时明亮
when i need a friend, you are there right by my side 当我需要一个朋友的时候 你就在我身旁
i wish we could stay as one 我希望我们能如影相随
i wish we could stay forever as one 我希望我们能永远如影相随
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Inexorable Advance |
10th April 2008, 09:28 |
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 “Bloodhound-5 to Doghouse, I’m at the coordinates you said but it’s all just rock and sand here,” the Bellato Saboteur said over his commlink. “Hope you didn’t tear me away from watching the Novus Underground for a wild goose chase, y’hear?”
“Five, this is Doghouse. The strong MAD signal our recon flight detected is right where you are. Mommy said she wouldn’t dare keep her boys from a good show unless it was important, so you’d better keep your nose and eyes clear, over.”
Yeah, Captain Tanya Romanov wouldn’t do such a thing, the ranger from the Purple Bloodhounds thought. “Alright, Doghouse, I’ll take another look-see over this sandbox. Tell Mommy me loves her, over and out.”
Bloodhound-5 took off his visor to survey the sand-swept landscape of the Sette Desert and wondered for the umpteenth time what was so strategically valuable in here that merited substantial deployment of assets from the Federal Army North Group.
The 3rd Queen’s Own Scout Ranger Company – also known as the Purple Bloodhounds (or, “Her Majesty’s Puppy Dogs”, to members of the Bellato Council) – were one of the new units that arrived with the FANG’s command battlefleet after the nuking of Peregrine’s Point. The Hounds, long “leashed” to the Bellato homeworld by factional politics, was thankful for the chance to see action, but sometimes they wondered what the hell they were doing here in Novus.
“Hmm. I wonder what’s over that rise? If the Light were kind there’d be a pretty little Corite maiden there sunbathing and I’d consider this all worth the heat and grime”, Bloodhound-5 said with a smile and climbed a rather large sand dune with a bit of difficulty. As he crested the formation, the sand suddenly shifted and he fell down the other slope tumbling.
Surprised – and indignant – as he was of the fall, Bloodhound-5 was even more shocked when his tumble was stopped suddenly by something hard and cold that he couldn’t see.
“What the hell…” Bloodhound-5 said as he scrambled to his feet. He quickly slipped his visor back and activated its special equipment to what was obviously a cloaked structure. What he saw was a smooth block of steel that extended quite a ways upward.
“Uh… Doghouse? This is Five, do you read me?”
“Five, this is Doghouse. We’re getting some interference, but we hear you.”
“I… think I found your MAD anomaly, chief. And it’s rather… huge. And round. And long.”
“You have *crackle* Will send *crackle*”
“Doghouse? You’re breaking up, chief. Oh drat.” Bloodhound-5 cursed as the signal readout in his visor’s Heads-Up Display went dead. “-bleep-, must be all that sand and the depth of this depression.” Bloodhound-5 struggled up the dune he fell from and looked back at where the structure was. He gasped on seeing that there were four more of the monstrous structures. Even more foreboding was the huge symbol on each of the cardinal points of the structures: the spiked eye of the Empire of Accretia.
Bloodhound-5 saw that a weak signal was available where he stood, and he rapidly took photos of what he saw and prepared a data burst to the distant Doghouse. “This is Bloodhound-5 to Captain Tanya Romanov. Ma’am, I’m sending you in advance several photos of what seems to be an Accretian communications array here in Sette. Sorry I can’t report in realtime, so this burst packet will have to do until I get back to Doghouse. Bloodhound-5 signing off.”
The Bellato ranger sent his packet and turned to go back to the Bellato Portal but rammed hard onto something as he rose. There in front of him was an Accretian in the bone white of a Legion’s armor.
“Oh, sh…” Bloodhound-5 said and, with the lightning-fast reflexes of an elite ranger, whipped out his Vulcan and peppered the Accretian with APDS rounds. The Accretian staggered under the hail, but made no move to attack. Bloodhound-5, acting on instinct, turned to put some distance between him and the cyborg.
Only to fall into the outstretched blade of an Accretian Infiltrator’s knife.
*crackle* “Bloodhound-5, this is Doghouse. Your signal” *crackle* “weak” *crackle* “dying out…” *crackle*
Imperial Army Command Center
Accretian Headquarters on Novus
Blackdread watched as the Bellato ranger’s lifeblood gushed out onto the hardened steel of the Infiltrator’s blade, and then to the coppery sand of Sette. Part of the Accretian commander was envious at his subordinates for being so close to the action, but his place was here.
For now. All that will change soon.
“My Lord,” Tadao said behind Blackdread, “was it wise to let the Bellato know of the location of our communication towers?”
“Are you questioning my wisdom, Tadao?” Blackdread answered without even a glance at his subordinate.
The Accretian who planned the destruction of one of the sections of the Bellato’s elite Alpha Draconis appeared taken aback by the vehemence in his commander’s voice. “Of course not, m’Lord! I was just concerned about the losses the Empire would receive if either the midgets or the girlymen manage to destroy all five Towers.”
The Accretian commanders that stood waiting on Blackdread in their Command Center wondered at the strange sound they heard after Tadao’s remarks. They realized belatedly that it was Blackdread laughing.
And many of them shuddered, to hear the Emperor’s Hand laugh.
“Surely, Tadao, the man responsible for setting up Craig Abernathy’s adopted daughter to fall so badly could appreciate my little… surprise for the Bellato and, if they are man enough to attack us, the Cora?” Blackdread said.
“And what makes you think, Blackdread, that our enemies will take the bait?” Adjutant-001B thundered from his cocoon in the middle of the Command Center.
A hiss of air suddenly released was Blackdread’s indication of a snort to the challenge posted by the Empire’s planetary administrator for Novus. Like you would understand military strategy, you inveterate dancer-wannabe, Blackdread thought.
But instead of voicing his thoughts, Blackdread triggered an overlay to the holo-projection of the map of Sette. Near the Bellato and Cora portals, were icons that suggested similar communication towers. “Then we will have our way with their Towers. As you can see, despite Ruby Eye’s failure and the damage done to Shadow Walker, we have succeeded in ferreting out the secrets of our enemies. Let us see how that young upstart and the old dog feel when their precious new supplies get lost in the vastness of space. If they will not fight us, we will bring the war to them.”
“That might not be enough, Blackdread,” the Adjutant challenged. “You know how Vanderion Ladenus and Aldarion Ihn-Benyakan think. A few supplies just to risk their armies? What is that to them?”
Blackdread turned then, to face his commanders and the Adjutant. Ah, Temujin my friend, my dear High Adjutant, would that we could get rid of this dancing buffoon. “Then I will offer the Protector of House Ladenus and the Dire Wolf of the Bellato a worthy prize: a chance to kill me.”
“Yes, my fellow warriors, I shall take the field for this one. No more games. No more cloaks and daggers. Just my spear piercing flesh, and the blood of Bellato and Corites soaking the sand of Sette.”
And the Accretians heard Blackdread laugh once more.
And they shuddered.
The command center of Bellato's Novus HQ buzzed with the sounds of activity. Accretian activity had seen an upswing recently, stirring up the attention of the Federation. The jump in recon sorties and probes by the Imperial forces had hardly been unnoticed, putting the Bellato on Level-1 alert status. From the upper chamber, Harvey Lunus rested his hands on the edges of a holoscreen, watching the numbers and images flicker. A soft hissing sound caught his ear, and he turned about to see the figure of Eldon Carter walking through the entrance, ubiquitous holobook in hand.
"We're deploying our troops, Harvey." Eldon said simply.
"That Accretian scumbag's got something up his sleeve, Eldon." Harvey frowned as he spoke, "Blackdread's not the type to make a mistake like that."
The Novus representative rubbed his fingers against his head, "Yes, I know. But there is little choice here. The opportunity to strike at their network like this is a chance we can't avoid taking."
"Strategic advantage and all that, fine." The armsman shook his head and crossed his arms. "It smells like that piece of trash's ploys, that's all."
"Likely. But we could just turn it against him." He shrugged as he moved towards the command panels and began bringing up tactical information. "He's arrogant as ever, and that's certainly a weakness we'd like to use."
Harvey didn't reply, turning back to the viewscreen. The holos shifted as he looked, displaying information on force information, unit statuses and other data. The Lunus wondered, "What would you have made of this, Phaedra?" He frowned at the sudden thought. The veteran shook his head and pushed it aside. This was a different time, a different struggle. But somehow, many things felt the same.
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First Level 55 Player in RFO-Ph: Symour of Bellato |
10th April 2008, 09:25 |
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The player who was the first level 50 player is now the first level 55 player in the Philippine servers! Symour, current Archon of the Bellato in Nexus, has been a member of good standing in the community, known not only for his character's power, but for his own leadership qualities. His humility and perseverance could only be idolized by his peers. Besides being Archon, he is also the guild leader of >DemonZ<.
He has been able to bring good things to their guild, leading them to a spot in the Level Up! Live 2007 finals. The bond they share among each other has been admirable, and was shown to me first hand when I called Symour for an in-game interview: half of his guild came over for a picture!
Left to Right: Ramedesu, nelren, BossChip, riskberserk, tongbalitz, yUjLikE, MamaAmelia, Remate, topeto, PhenOmE, Masanori, SacredSpear, PapaRoach, Jettie, Symour (In level 55 melee armors, wielding a level 55 spear), PhantomPhreak, january13, sanllove143, jhonericka3, memex, matrox, JGT, f0rtell, Sasuke29
The Interview: On Inspiration, Perseverance, and Brotherhood
Vyrien: What is your inspiration to become the first person to reach level 55?
Symour: Well, I wanted to boost the morale of Bellato Nexus. I wanted us to dominate like the Empire [Accretia] did.
Vyrien: Like the Empire? Do you consider Accretia as your main rival?
Symour: Hmmm, yes. The Empire still holds the longest winning streak.
Vyrien: I see. If you could kill anyone right now in Accretia, who would it be and why?
Symour: Anyone who stands in Bellato's way.
Symour
Vyrien: Okay, let me ask you about the road you travelled to get to level 55. Did you have a strategy in mind to accomplish this quickly?
Symour: Yes, before Crimson Dawn, we already planned ahead and searched other RF Forums for strategies and insights.
After our defeat at LU Live 2007, we wanted to prepare better for the next tournament. We analyzed our mistakes and used our experience to our advantage, instead of letting it take us down.
Ginawa naming isang inspirasyon ang aming pagkatalo noong nakaraang laban namin doon at tinanggap namin bilang hamon sa sarili upang makamit ang ganitong antas at hamon sa paunahan sa 55. =)
Vyrien: What did you feel the instant you reached level 55?
Symour: Masaya, pero halos ganito rin ang pakiramdam noong ako'y naging unang level 50 noon. Gusto ko lamang ipakita na iba ang talento at makipagkumpitensya sa gamer ng ibang bansa.
(Happy, but the feeling that I got was just like what I felt when I became the first level 50 player. I just wanted to prove to gamers from other countries the talent and the competitiveness of a Filipino gamer.)
Vyrien: What was the first thing you did outside of the game, upon reaching level 55? Did you have a party?
Symour: Nagkaroon ng munting salo-salo dito sa lugar ko ng mga magkakaibigan sa loob at labas ng guild. Habang ginagawa namin 'tong interview at Chip War nandito kaming lahat.
(We had a simple get-together at my place with friends both from inside and outside the guild. We're all together now for this interview and for the Chip War earlier.)
Symour in his level 55 armors.
Vyrien: What did you do first in-game upon reaching level 55?
Symour: 5 AM Chip War! Hehe.
Vyrien: Did you guys win that one?
Symour: Yes, we got the 5 AM CW, though we KS'ed (kill-steal) it from the empire. >:) We stole their candy.
Vyrien: Nice work. In your levelling, how often do you play? Do you play everyday?
Symour: May shift kami. For example, ako sa 7 AM to 1 PM Chip War, then si Jettie after, then may new pilot sa graveyard shift. Sakto sa summer vacation kaya we make it possible.
(We have shifts. For example, I play 7 AM to 1 PM Chip War, then Jettie, then a new pilot for the graveyard shift. We have a lot of time on our hands because of the summer vacation.)
Vyrien: Ah. I hope I have a pilot for work, too!
Symour: Hehehe. o.0 Actually, we already planned this one even before, ever since we found out about the level cap.
Vyrien: Do you have any tips that you can give our readers, for those who want to reach level 55?
Symour: Hmm, yes.
For the Bellato, dodge type is best at the Cartella Bio Lab for easy mobbing.
Mas maganda kung wag mag-AFK (Away From Keyboard) yung partymates para mas mabilis mapatay ang mobs sa biolab. As much as possible, gising lahat!
(Better if no one goes away from keyboard while levelling, so killing mobs is faster. Everyone should be awake!)
And we have wealth jades! =)
Vyrien: What classes were in your party?
Symour: 2 Berserkers, 2 Rangers, 2 Soul Chandras, 2 Arch Magi.
Vyrien: Ah, looks like an LU Live tournament line up.
Symour: It can still change depending on the rules.
Vyrien: How much help were the wealth jades able to give? How many wealth jades did you use?
Symour: Yep, malaking tulong if hitter ka or nuker, pero kung leech or afk experience, wala siyang use. =)
(Yes. It's a big help if you're a hitter or a nuker, but if you plan to leech or level while AFK, it's useless.)
I used 5 wealth jades. Our whole party had 5 wealth jades.
Vyrien: Did you have a hard time levelling? What did you have to go through to get to 55?
Symour: We actually had a hard time levelling from 51 to 52 than 53 to 55.
Vyrien: Why is that?
Symour: It was because of getting "experience down" from dying. I think we used almost 150 pieces of "I fear no death" pills (100% experience regain pills).
The monsters in Beast Mountain / Outcast Land are hard to tank because of their high hit rate, unlike in the Cartellan Bio Lab, whose monsters have low hit rate.
Monsters in the Bio Lab give high experience, but you need to be at least level 52+ to meet their level requirements. Most important is 171+ dodge.
Vyrien: What equipment did you use while levelling?
Symour: Perfect Dodge Elemental rings and amulets, +5 Favor Intense level 50 Melee Set, +5 Mercy Melee Boots, and premium burst potions for fast killing purposes.
Vyrien: Do your parents know that you're level 55 already?
Symour: Alam naman, saby kami gumraduate ng character ko. =)
(Yes, they do. My character and I graduated at the same time!)
Vyrien: What a nice graduation gift. Did RF get in the way of your studies?
Symour: Not really, since I have reliable pilots. I had no problems with studies, but as for my love life... next question please. >:)
Vyrien: Okay, I'll not ask anything about that...
Symour: lol
Vyrien: What if you did get a girlfriend, and she told you not to play RF anymore? What will you do or say?
Symour: GF malabo eh... kasi may asawa na ako eh hihihih shhh
(Getting a girlfriend right now isn't possible, since I already have a wife! Shhhh!)
But I teach her how to play online games.
Vyrien: She also plays RF?
Symour: Minsan naglalaro kaming dalawa at nagaaway dahil sa RF. 'Pag nacCP down, AWAY NA 'TO!
(We play at the same time, and sometimes fight about RF. Whenever I lose CP while she's piloting, expect a fight!)
Intermission: A little conversation about talics.
Vyrien: All right, final message to our readers?
Symour: Uhmmm salamat sa lahat ng naniniwala pa rin sakin sa Bellato Nexus. Salamat sa mga kaibigan ko sa iba't ibang server, sa mga nagcongrats sakin, sa mga pamily ko sa >DemonZ<, sa mga GM's tulad niyo. Always remember: Study hard, play harder (joke lang bwahaha).
Walang hindi nakukuha sa pinaghihirapan!
(Thanks to everyone who still believes in me in Bellato Nexus. Thanks to all my friends in the various servers, to those who congratulated me, to my family in the >DemonZ< guild, and to GM's like you. Always remember: Study hard, play harder (just kidding bwahaha). Nothing is impossible to anyone who perseveres!)
Advanced congratulations to all those who will be getting to level 55!
Vyrien: Thanks, and congratulations once again for becoming the first level 55 player.
Symour: Last message for the Bellato.
Vyrien: Sure, go ahead.
Symour: Keep the fire burning. We will bring back the glory to the Federation.
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The Walker |
8th April 2008, 06:41 |
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Shadow Walker learned early on in his Albarium days to be observant. It had kept the then scrawny youngling that every Instructor thought would end up dead from not only surviving but to thrive. Shadow Walker honed his observation skills to the fullest, and coupled with the patience that sometimes seemed inhuman, he parlayed these skills to make him one of the best assassins of the Accretian Empire. And it was with this meticulous attention that the Assassin Prime of the Defenders of the Word watched his new lord. To all appearances, Blackdread stood rock steady facing the banks of monitors inside the Command Center of Accretian HQ. Behind the gaggle of other commanders of the major factions of the Empire, stood the immobile form of Adjutant 001-B, and despite all the activity around them, the new head of the Defenders appeared like a solid block of steel against the chaos of upheaval sweeping Novus since the nuclear dawn that destroyed the Concordat forever. Yet to Shadow Walker’s trained eye, he could see how Blackdread strained to keep himself in check as the Accretian scouts played their intricate game of cat-and-mouse with the Bellato and Cora. “I find this a… refreshing change in our routine, m’lord Blackdread”, Tadao said from beside the commander of the Defenders of the Word. “You are not the only one who knows how to lay intricate traps, Tadao,” Blackdread responded without even looking back at his subordinates. Tadao made a name for himself by executing the plan that decimated the 3rd Company of the famed Draconis Alpha of the Bellato Federation during the “Implements of War” campaign. “Like I said, m’lord, it is a refreshing change,” Tadao said. “Our enemies expect you to go at them with guns blazing, not this feint and counter-feint.” “Oh, rest assured, we shall come at the Bellato and Cora ‘with guns blazing’, but at a time and place of my choosing,” Blackdread replied. “For now, let us play with our food a little bit more.” With that, Blackdread turned to the darkened part of the Command Center, where Shadow Walker was standing. “My unseen dagger, it is now time for you to go and show them that the Empire is not all about Punishers and Annihilators. Show the Bellato and the Cora that the Empire is not just about the mailed fist pulping their fleshy faces head on, but also the hidden blade that cuts from where they least expect it.” “I hear and obey, my lord Blackdread,” He Who Walks Unseen said, and proceeded to the staging area, where the finest warriors of the Empire waited to be the smashing fist or the stealthy blade that harms their enemies. Either way, they will bleed and break, Shadow Walker thought. |
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