Lineage: New Episodes Released

NCsoft announced today the official release of Episodes 6 & U for the original Lineage, featuring new quest lines & dungeons, and non-combat activities.

SEATTLE, October 23, 2008-NCsoft®, the world's premier publisher and developer of massively multiplayer online (MMO) games, today announced the long-awaited release of both Episode 6, The Lastavard™ - Inevitable Destiny™ and Episode U to its Lineage® service in North America. This massive new update represents a revitalization of NCsoft's flagship MMO in North America.

The story behind Episode 6 centers on the unleashing of Girtas, the ruler of the otherworld, who is wreaking havoc throughout the lands of Aden. Players can fight their way through the multi-leveled Lastavard dungeon before facing off against the evil sorcerer Dantes, and then, Girtas himself, in an epic confrontation.

"I believe that Episode 6, combined with the additional Episode U content, shows NCsoft's recommitment to Lineage in North America," said Yong Taek Bae, the head of Lineage product development for NCsoft West.

The release of Episode 6 and Episode U adds many new encounters, such as battling Varlok in Desire Cavern, confronting hordes of pirates from the Ship Graveyard, and exploring the new Haunted House and the rebuilt town of Gludin. Players may also spend time learning to cook or fish, or may choose to enter their pets in organized fighting matches.

In addition to the new content, players can use a newly designed website and forums to learn about the game and participate in its community.

The features list for Episodes 6 & U will include the following:

Lastavard Expands

Girtas, the ruler of the otherworld has been released into Aden! Through the power of an Evil Sorcerer ritual, Dantes unknowingly opened a portal to the otherworld allowing Girtas to partially escape.

Countless souls of Lastavard's Dark Elves were lost in the ritual and it is up to you to save Aden now!

* 6 new maps added!
* Lastavard is divided into two large parts, the upper and lower areas. The lower part of Lastavard consists of the basement up to the third floor. The upper part includes the fourth floor and the Holy Land. Throughout the dungeon you will find Dantes, the eight Supreme Court Justices and more.
* Find ways to open up new passages on the fourth floor by defeating the justices and enemies that you encounter.

* New maps:
* Cursed Dark Elves are the soldiers of Lastavard that lost their souls when the commander of the otherworld appeared. They were reborn into soul-less monsters full of hatred.
* Supreme Court Justices are the elders on the first through the fourth floor. Each has their own strength and can unlock the many new passageways of Lastavard.
* Guardian Spirits summoned from the otherworld have appeared around the dungeon.
* Brand new boss - Girtas is the God of Death who was summoned in the ritual by Dantes. His power is amplified by devouring the souls of the Lastavard Dark Elves.
* New quests added!

Gludin Town Rebuilt

Once destroyed by war, the town is being reconstructed with a festival atmosphere. Merchants who once left the town have returned to re-open their stores!

* More housing added!
* Fishing:
* Fished items have a few different uses. Some items will act like potions when consumed whereas others may be materials or items used for other purposes. You can even catch items that you can wear!



* You will need bait and a fishing pole in order to fish. Fishing can only be done in the fishing pond! Find the young gentleman in Gludin if you wish to travel to the fishing pond.
* Cooking:
* There are many different level cook books that can be obtained from merchants and from monster drops.
Food ingredient merchants can be found in Aden, Gludin, and Giran.
* Pet PVP matches:
* Now you can test your pet against your friends' pets to see which one is stronger!
* Prizes exist for the pets who win the matches but there are entry fees to participate.
* Pets must be level 5 or greater in order to participate. They cannot be controlled once they are in the ring, it is up to them!
* Haunted House:
* The Haunted House is a non combat maze where you must find the prize while carefully avoiding the traps throughout! If you're lucky, you may find a rare quest item in the house.

Desire Cavern

Yahee is the chief of 'Kahel's Puppets' whose hatred for the recent uprising in humans had been growing. Suspecting that there was a human spy in his midst, he sent Tarak to investigate the Temple of Shadows.

Tarak and Yahee were correct and discovered that Lord Varlok had indeed sent a spy from "Pure Blood Stone" to infiltrate his temple! Vowing to put an end to the human contamination, Yahee led his Kahels out of the Temple of Shadows to plot their demise.

* Varlok has moved out of the Temple of Shadows.
* Varlok is the strongest creature in all of Desire Cavern. Although he is a single being, the wretched humans have created a second Varlok who is a symbol of fear and dread.
* Two faction lines to choose from: Yahee or Varlok
New quest to get to Varlok - Commander of Elements

Ship Graveyard

A long, long time ago, pirates dominated the oceans and led sieges against trade ships that dared to pass through their waters. The remains of these battles drifted along in the ocean currents towards Pirates Island where they have accumulated in a cavern deep below the surface.

In the deepest part of the island, a door to a new realm has opened up where there is a graveyard of ships. What kind of resentment and sorrow dwells here?

Three levels of the Ship Graveyard:

* Surface - Debris of ships are scattered along the surface and show evidence that there were survivors of the battles that took place on the seas so long ago.
* Ship - There is a single ship floating on the surface of the sea that will lead you to the deep sea.
* Deep Sea - Many creatures dwell in the depths of the deep sea.

Many new NPCs in Ship Graveyard:

* Chief Mermaid - Humans once became deformed into mermaids. The strongest of the mermaids became chiefs of their race.
* Great King Squid - This creature floats in the deep sea emitting a pale light like a ghost. He attacks invaders with his long tentacles.
* Drowned Souls - These sailors were the unfortunate victims of the attacks on the ocean. Doomed to roam the surface of the sea, they are filled with a deep-seated grudge and hatred towards all they encounter.

Other Changes on the way

* Heine Dungeon revamp.
* Elven Dungeon revamp including brand new mops.
* New teleporter NPCs.
* New Spirit Magic and Knight Skills.
* Knight Solid Carriage - This increases evasion against long distance attacks when a knight is using a shield.
* Knight Counter Barrier - When using a two handed sword, this ability evades an opponent's attack and counters it.
* Royals will have access to mounts enabling them to travel at faster speeds.

Looks like it's time to dust off that Lineage account and check the new bells and whistles!