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| 2001, GameRifts.com (Hey that's us!) launches! |
| 2001, Vivendi Universal announces they will publish Dark Age of Camelot. |
| 2003, Another hit to the Shadowbane game by Ubi when "The Covenant of Swords" guild announces they are departing the game due to numerous game issues. |
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Review: The Travels of Atlantis
Chernevog one of my guildmates from the Shadow Alliance jumped into "Trials of Atlantis," the latest expansion pack for Dark Age of Camelot and lived to tell about it. He tell's me he is having a blast and sent over the following journal of his adventures within the the lost lands of Atlantis.
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The Travels of Atlantis - Chernevog (11-04-03)
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| Enterance to the Lost Lands. |
While a part of the DAoC community is looking more towards the promised RvR expansion, Trials of Atlantis offers much for the PvE crowd as well as some perks for those primarily in for the RvR action. In my time testing ToA during the third phase of beta, I found my self immersed in the lush expanse of a New World. Standing on the docks, the anticipation for the arrival of the ship to carry me over the seas to the Midgard landing starts my mind to race wondering what the new lands will be like. Once I disembark at the newly discovered ruins, there are to be found many tents with all the NPC's one finds in the cities of the mainland, ready to assist you with healing, equipment repairs and for the purchase of potions to aid you in the upcoming engagements. At a glance up the hill, I see a massive structure and begin to make my way there.
Upon reaching the steps, I can see a steady blue glow emanating from within and as I enter the structure, I see sentries lining the great columns, standing silently. Once I reach the source of the blue light, there one finds an NPC ready to inform the adventurer of the path that lies ahead. She explains the background of the Atlantian society and gives the first clue into the Trials awaiting those brave enough to enter the glowing portal. As I stepped into the blue field, I find myself whisked away to arrive in Oceanus Haven and the beginning of numerous adventures. There are ruined structures to be found, remnants of an advanced civilization long past. NPC's wait to assist you with the tools and components for crafting items to aid an adventurer in battle. Others linger about to tell stories passed down and give quests to any adventurer seasoned enough to have a hope of surviving long enough to reign victorious and come back with the spoils much sought after by all. Further investigation shows three docks with ships coming and going to the lands of Aerus, Stygia and Volcanus. I will give some idea of the sights found in these three lands, but as the end of Beta draws near, I find there's not much time to do anything but scratch the surface of the lands that await me.
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Viking Longboat to
the Sunken Lands. |
Aerus, a land of great beauty, rises from the morning mist as the ship draws near to the docks. Again, I find a city greeting the weary travelers, with NPC's ready to prepare you for the adventures awaiting outside the safety of their town. Upon leaving the city I find great trees rising up from the land before me. As I draw near to this great forest, I sense that I am not alone. I stop short of entering the depths, one eye on the safe open field and the town with its guards ready to assist me. Upon searching the tree line I see a horse, but upon closer examination, I realize that it's a story book creature come to life. The wary Centaurs patrol their land, prepared to repel invaders and I slowly ease back to a safe distance as I can see the determination in their eyes. I head back to town, wondering what great treasures they protect and where they call home, but alas I realize that further study will require a larger party for protection from these creatures.
I decide to move on and await the next ship that takes me to the region of Stygia. Again I disembark at a city, safe haven that it is, built upon the sands of a great desert. Palm trees spring forth, their roots searching for the elusive life giving water that is in short supply. As I wander further from town, I see creatures as lions standing up on two feet as man and wearing clothes reminiscent of Ancient Egypt. I move closer and find myself under attack, fortunate that only one decides to move in and I dispatch him quickly and move on before attracting more unwanted attention. I move towards an oasis, tents pitched to protect its inhabitants from the scorching heat. They seem to be mining something and do not want to be disturbed. I make my way back to the docks, dodging creatures both small and deadly to the unseeing eye. I look forward to the day that I can venture forth here once again and delve into the secrets that wait within the shifting sands.
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| Hidden Beaches. |
Once more I board one of the ships traveling the seas and embark on a mission to visit the land of Volcanus. As I reach the docks, I exit the ship and walk off the dizziness one succumbs to on the long voyage. With pains of hunger in my gut, I head towards the town and make my way in and out of the shops, with the merchants selling their wares. Now that I've finally regained control over my legs I head out of town towards a red glow emanating over the horizon. As I pass the ruins of some long destroyed building, I see a creature that can be described as half man, half bovine. Definitely a Minotaur, I think to myself. He seems uneasy but suffers me to draw near and I call out to him.
He begins to tell me how he has become an outcast from his society and asks if I will help him regain his place of power. I tell him that I will do what I can for him and set out across the black sand. The temperature rises and ash covers the landscape. Trees struggle to survive and few have but a handful of leaves hanging from twisted limbs. I see the source of the heat! Great pools and rivers of lava cover the landscape, certain death to anyone unfortunate enough to lose their balance and tumble in. I go deeper and deeper still, dodging the inhabitants wanton of destruction to anyone within their reach. In the distance I see a great bridge spanning an expanse of lava, strategically placed to force anyone wanting to go further to cross at this point for we already know what the lava holds in store. As I slip ever closer, my keen eye sees the Minotaur sentries lining the battlements and I know that I can go no further. Running for my life, I pass the lone Minotaur, yelling that I will return to aid him once I've gathered a party to assist me in that desolate wasteland.
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| Walk like an... Atlantean? |
I board for my return ride back to the safety of Oceanus Haven. As I cover the leagues before me, I marvel at the sights I have seen and long for the day that I may once again set foot on these lands. I vow to find friends strong of arm and magical powers willing to aid me in the further discoveries of the strange and tantalizing new word, newly discovered and calling out to the hearty adventurers who draw near on ships of their own. This only scratches the surface of what awaits those willing to seek out these new lands and I hope to see many brave enough to fight by my side, for I have heard that the enemies of Hibernia and Albion also seek out these new lands. They dig and delve for the powers and weapons of the ancient Atlantians in order to wreak havoc upon the homelands. We must succeed in first capturing this arsenal for the glory of Midgard! Come aid me in this wondrous adventure and harness the abilities available to those willing to reach for them.
Discuss: What did you think of Trials of Atlantis?
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