This humble site houses an archive of news and announcements from Simutronics Corporation's text-based massive multiplayer online roleplaying game GemStone IV. The most recent announcements are on the entry page and a more comprehensive archive can be accessed through the links on the right sidebar. You may also narrow the focus through the various labels on the lower righthand side of this page. Click on the title of each post for the original post in the official GSIV message boards. Keep in mind, however, that if the post had been pushed out of the official boards, the link will take you to the GemStone IV announcements folder.
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Big Kudos: Warden and Andraste

Author: SIMU-SOLOMON
Date: 9/29/2008 2:30:03 PM

I just wanted to pop in and mention that as of last week, both Warden and Andraste reached their 10 year mark as GemStone GMs.

Thank you both very much for everything you do. Our world wouldn't be the same without either of you.

:)

Solomon

"The probability of someone making a mathematical formulation on a non-mathematical subject is inversely proportional to its usefulness."
- Brust's Law of Mathematical Formulations

http://www.myspace.com/gemstoneiv

This message was originally posted in Discussions with Simutronics, The Good....(general compliments). To discuss the above follow the link below.

http://www.play.net/forums/messages.asp?forum=102&category=8&topic=2&message=6661

Ebon Gate 2008 Desktops

Author: SIMU-SOLOMON
Date: 9/23/2008 4:26:26 PM

I just wanted to pop my head in and mention that Tracy Butler's desktops for EG'08 are available for download now!

http://www.play.net/feature/themes/

Solomon

"The probability of someone making a mathematical formulation on a non-mathematical subject is inversely proportional to its usefulness."
- Brust's Law of Mathematical Formulations

http://www.myspace.com/gemstoneiv

This message was originally posted in Quests, Sagas, and Events, Ebon Gate Festival. To discuss the above follow the link below.

http://www.play.net/forums/messages.asp?forum=102&category=12&topic=29&message=14786

Platinum Tiered Tickets - Eve of the Reunion Festival

Author: GS4-KAIKALA
Date: 9/22/2008 9:22:45 PM
As an addendum to the earlier post regarding tiered tickets:

As of today, Platinum tickets will only be offered at the base price, where the single ticket purchase will allow account-wide access (read: all of your characters may enter) to the festival in the Platinum instance only.

If you purchased a ticket already for Platinum -- have no fear! -- full access to that instance will be in effect without your having to do anything extra.

Enjoy!

~Kaikala

This message was originally posted in Quests, Sagas, and Events, Ebon Gate Festival. To discuss the above follow the link below.

http://www.play.net/forums/messages.asp?forum=102&category=12&topic=29&message=14736

Tiered Tickets - Eve of the Reunion Festival

Author: GS4-KAIKALA
Date: 9/22/2008 12:34:35 AM
To put a little bit of clarity on the multi-character tickets offered this year for the Eve of the Reunion Festival, aka Ebon Gate (EG):

For each account, entrance to EG:
$40 for one character - the usual price
$55 for two characters to enter
$65 for three characters to enter
$75 for four characters to enter
(Add in the Premium discount if you are a Premium subscriber)

In the past, each account was forced to choose only one character to allow into a ticketed event. This year, we thought it would be worthwhile to allow the option of bringing multiple characters from one account into EG, so that you are able to bring several of your personalities. Since $80 for just two characters seemed more than a bit steep, the tiered system was put into place.

There are no restrictions in terms of what profession or race you bring in. Just like with any other pay event, there will be a few raffles and merchants that fit one character type better than another, as well as possible restrictions on some raffle entries/merchant services. Some GMs will post more specific information in the EG forums, though some services will, as usual, remain a surprise up until event time.

Any restrictions on numbers of wins per account are at each individual GM's discretion for the raffles and merchants that they run, though said GM is responsible for clearly posting such restrictions on raffle tickets and merchant signs.

As a note, this type of event ticketing system has been suggested in the past by both players and GMs. This event's particular push for it originated from a player's suggestion during Simucon!

We hope those of you who have wanted this option in the past are able to enjoy it this festival. Any feedback and comments are appreciated.

~Kaikala

This message was originally posted in Quests, Sagas, and Events, Ebon Gate Festival. To discuss the above follow the link below.

http://www.play.net/forums/messages.asp?forum=102&category=12&topic=29&message=14717

TONIGHT'S TA'VAALOR BALL POSTPONED

Author: GS4-LIIA
Date: 9/20/2008 4:44:10 PM
I just heard from GM Alyias, who asked me to post that due to unfortunate RL circumstances involving a tree, a windstorm, and the wrath of both of these on his power, phone, and cable lines, tonight's gala will unfortunately need to be rescheduled.

He asked me to convey his regrets, and knows that many folks scheduled to be here at this time. With that in mind, he wishes that if there are specific times/dates that would be convenient for the rescheduled ball, please let him know!

Thanks,

-Liia

You tap your invar volcano pin and fiery red sparks and grey ash come out of the top!
You are fondly reminded of home.

This message was originally posted in Towns, Ta'Vaalor. To discuss the above follow the link below.

http://www.play.net/forums/messages.asp?forum=102&category=19&topic=15&message=9266

Eve of Reunion Festival

Author: GS4-THANDIWE
Date: 9/19/2008 9:58:30 PM
Come One! Come All! Join the Merchant Consortium as it celebrates the Ebon Gate Festival in the Phantom Village of Velathae. Enjoy mystical treats as you traverse her store laden streets and the wonders of the ghostly residents that are happy to bring you the fruits of their living labors. Wander through the games of the Apple Orchard or through the lovely streets of Wren Estates in search of prizes, treasures, and fun! New and old stores rise from the beyond for one week only! Purchase your ticket today before Velathae fades away!

~*~ Thandiwe ~*~
(At this point, I tried to summon the crows, by doing a tribal dance in the barrows and singing "Heerre crowie crowie crowie. Oosh oosh." That didn't work.) -- Coyoterre

Mayhem Troupe Returns

Author: GS4-THANDIWE
Date: 9/19/2008 7:11:52 PM
Reports have traveled from abroad about the ebon wagon that is glimpsed amongst the sunset hues of autumn leaves. Riding far and wide, the wagon is that of the legendary family group known as the Magical Mayhem Troupe.

Last seen passing into the Shireland and approaching the Northern Steppes, the legendary troupe has not returned home to the Human Empire in nearly two hundred years. The performance company is formed up of family members who pass on their talents from generation to generation and have gained world notoriety.

Known primarily for their marionette shows, the troupe also holds vast talents in entertainment magics, juggling, jester acts, lively mask creation, and fantastical operettas. Though the troupe has made no stops yet on its return trip, it is highly anticipated that the troupe will once again perform.

~*~ Thandiwe ~*~
(At this point, I tried to summon the crows, by doing a tribal dance in the barrows and singing "Heerre crowie crowie crowie. Oosh oosh." That didn't work.) -- Coyoterre

The Old Ball & Chain.

Author: GS4-MESTYS
Date: 9/17/2008 8:52:22 PM
Due to certain issues with item names containing ampersands, the weapon conversion chambers that inhabit most of the weapon shops across Elanthia have been updated to handle weapons with the noun "ball & chain." Placing such weapons within the chambers will convert them to the more parser-friendly "ball and chain."

The random weapon generator and a few permanent shops have also been altered to no longer produce ball & chain items.

-M.

This message was originally posted in Game Design Discussions, Items and Inventory. To discuss the above follow the link below.

http://www.play.net/forums/messages.asp?forum=102&category=6&topic=11&message=1420

Alchemy, Phase II, Scene 1

Author: GS4-STRATHSPEY
Date: 9/17/2008 2:01:24 PM
75 new recipes have been added to the alchemy system. This represents a fraction of new recipes to come over the next few weeks. Training NPCs will start teaching these new recipes immediately.

In addition, most alchemy products created from this point forward will now be purchased by the alchemist shop in local towns. Items which are part of the normal treasure system (e.g. oak wands, white crystals...) will be purchased by the pawn shop.

Please post in the appropriate topic if there are any huge issues.

Enjoy!

-Strath

This message was originally posted in Magic Spells and Systems, Alchemy Discussions. To discuss the above follow the link below.

http://www.play.net/forums/messages.asp?forum=102&category=18&topic=16&message=7545

Locate Person (116) Realm Visions

Author: GS4-ESTILD
Date: 9/16/2008 9:19:32 PM

Locate Person (116) has been updated to now provide unique visions to the caster when their target is out of range based upon the realm the caster is in.

Thanks to GameMaster Thandiwe for providing the awesome descriptions!

GameMaster Estild
Cleric/Empath Team

"I prefer the company of peasants because they have not been educated sufficiently to reason incorrectly." - Michel de Montaigne

This message was originally posted in Magic Spells and Systems, Minor Spiritual Circle. To discuss the above follow the link below.

http://www.play.net/forums/messages.asp?forum=102&category=18&topic=5&message=3288

Searing Light (135) Released!

Author: GS4-OSCURO
Date: 9/10/2008 7:32:23 PM

Developed initially by the Council of Mages for defense of The Citadel during its fall to the troll and krolvin alliance, the Searing Light spell was lost to greater Elanthia for over a thousand years. Recently, a tome was discovered in a previously hidden portion of The Citadel outside River's Rest that once again unlocked the knowledge for the spiritualists of Elanthia to harness.

Spiritual magic is closely aligned with light. In fact, the Spirit Realm is teeming with areas that are overwhelmingly bright. It is this powerful light that the spiritual caster is able to summon with the Searing Light spell. An enormous flash of brilliant light fills the area subjecting all beings not grouped with the caster to a warding check. Failure results in light to moderate plasma damage, and for those targets that can see, blinding flash burns to their eyes. This blinding effect causes the target to lose any prepared spell, as well as suffer immense difficulty casting any newly prepared spell. Additionally, it is much easier to evade, block and parry the attacks of a blinded target and to avoid maneuvers that they attempt.

Duration: 10 seconds + 1 second per 5 warding margin; capped at 20 seconds

= - GM Oscuro - =

Cleric/Empath Team

This message was originally posted in Magic Spells and Systems, Minor Spiritual Circle. To discuss the above follow the link below.

http://www.play.net/forums/messages.asp?forum=102&category=18&topic=5&message=3129

River's Rest Hunting Expansion!

Author: GS4-SCRIBES
Date: 9/9/2008 10:55:05 PM

The town of River's Rest cannot escape its past as new threats and dangers arise in the small backwater of the County of Torre. Intrepid investigators from the Hall of Mages, the premier center of magic discovery and education in the Turamzzyrian Empire, with the assistance of knowledgeable natives, have pulled back a curtain from the darker elements of the town's history in search of ancient lore. What has been revealed cannot again be hidden. What has been unearthed must be confronted. In the marshes and bogs to the northeast of the town stands a keep inhabited by the monstrous and the unnatural. In an ancient fortress, long left to the accumulation of dust, new guardians roam accompanied by the last creations of magical desperation. Like two towers of old, they cast their shadow over the town, adding to its isolation and loneliness, to the nightmares that plague the children of the Warren, while beckoning the town's bravest defenders. It is now left to the most daring or foolhardy adventurers to go forward into the marsh or to cross the ravine to challenge the old evils that have risen from the past.



The Marsh Keep and the Citadel have been opened as new hunting expansions for the town of River's Rest. The Marsh Keep can be found deep in the bog outside the town across Maelstrom Bay and covers levels 44-54 consistenting primarily of undead foes. The Citadel has been expanded and repopulated (its old residents moved and removed) with undead foes covering levels 54-62.

Happy hunting!

GM Scribes

This message was originally posted in Hunting and Combat, River's Rest Hunting Areas. To discuss the above follow the link below.

http://www.play.net/forums/messages.asp?forum=102&category=4&topic=51&message=364

Mystical Magical Masks Mark Mayhem In Marauder's Mitts

Author: GS4-THANDIWE
Date: 9/7/2008 1:37:50 PM
Making a magnificent manifestation in a magical method, Mayhem Masks mystically maneuver into monsters' caches. Many may linger, but most will mimic mercurial moods and mystify the masses by breaking. Marvelous, magical masks, what could they be? Make no mistake, the masks maneuver exactly as manufactured to do!

~*~ Thandiwe ~*~
(At this point, I tried to summon the crows, by doing a tribal dance in the barrows and singing "Heerre crowie crowie crowie. Oosh oosh." That didn't work.) -- Coyoterre

A Twist of Roses: Raffles

Author: GS4-XYNWEN
Date: 9/7/2008 12:11:49 AM

Yfane, Auvyra, and Caelesta have been traveling for months and missed their summer raffle. As we move into autumn, they have decided to combine summer and autumn's raffles into one extravaganza. As such, their minions have placed some raffles in the antechamber of their store, A Twist of Roses, in Ta'Illistim.

Items are being raffled individually and include two forehead gems and two Yfane gowns. Caelesta is still overly fatigued from their journey, but raffle off a full feature alter or two in future days.

The raffles are set to run for just under three days, so you have ample time to get a ticket.

OOC REMINDER: You must be logged into the game to win. I will try to be around to distribute prizes at the time of raffling, but I cannot guarantee it. Since I can't guarantee I'll be there to hand it to you, I won't make you be awake and ready to take delivery! In other words, it's perfectly okay to be afk at a table or somewhere out of the way (and preferably private and safe). I'll track you down.

--Xynwen--
"I wish my lawn were emo so it would cut itself." -- as seen on a t-shirt

This message was originally posted in General Roleplaying, Elanthian Fashion. To discuss the above follow the link below.

http://www.play.net/forums/messages.asp?forum=102&category=9&topic=17&message=3624