Asherons Call: Shadowclaim Report: Part 1

Shadowclaim. A world like no others. It is a world where anything can, and seemingly will happen. The start of this past weekend saw the introduction to this new, yet oddly familiar world. Many Asheron's Call fans will recognize it immediately as one they know and love. What they will not notice, however, is the bizarre events, the evil long thought gone from the world, the strange levers, and the bloodshed-oh my, the bloodshed!

In order to test out new server hardware, Microsoft and Turbine created Shadowclaim and decided to have a little fun with it. Many cameo appearances by several celebrities such as Bael'Zharon the Hopeslayer, Martine, Pookie the White Rabbit and even the game's namesake, Asheron, have been spotted in the strange world of Shadowclaim.

Even a few Turbine developers who the community has learned to know from their many interactions on message boards and Dev Chats have made their presence known. Unfortunately, as one person quickly found out, Admin characters often have rather impressive character stats. This one person, ooh, let's call him "Ravlen", decided to see what would happen if he attempted to slay innocent +Admin Srand. Srand quickly showed him who was boss and happily gave Ravlen a parting gift-5%vitae.

The Marketplace, often thought of as a location for social gathering, was witness to some of the largest amounts of bloodshed and corpses since the days of Darktide's Fort Tethana mage shop and the Platinum Scarab bug. Repeated visits by Bael'Zharon, Gaerlan, Martine and multiple White Rabbits caused the corpses to be buried under more corpses!

The Tusker King Bobo was even seen running around Dereth, far from his home on Aphus Lassal. In fact, Bobo even tried one of the more popular past-times of the residents of Tou-Tou...Lighthouse jumping! Not surprisingly, his rather large size created quite a thud when he finally landed on the ground below.

Bobo wasn't the only thing in the air, however. Cupid managed to spread a little love between Raylin Du'Notin and Saki Tao. The tortured soul, Martine, even decided to officiate the wedding and bless the unions of these two love-struck Isparians. However, an angry Bael'Zharon showed up midway through the proceedings and accused Martine of trying "to ditch me". Thankfully, Bael'Zharon respected the sanctity of marriage and chose not to shed any blood during, or even after, the ceremony. Once Martine pronounced, "Then as a former member of the Isparian race, twisted by the sharp sickles of the Virindi, tortured to madness and flayed limb from limb and rebuilt time and time again. I declare your souls, flesh, minds and lives tied forever more." the great cheer and ovation that greeted the happy couple that was said to be heard even down in the Cathedral at the base of the cliff.