Editing Announcements - 2000/05 - Heroes' Respite (section)

== Rollout Article ==

{{Microsoft Zone
 |  Link = <nowiki>http://www.zone.com/asheronscall/news/ASHEnewsrespite2.asp</nowiki>
 |  Date = May 2, 2000
 | Title = The Heroes' Respite Has Been Declared
 |  Text =

<i>Creatures of living shadow advanced by legions from the wilderness to blot humanity from Dereth, but the island's heroes checked the foe at every turn. In the Direlands, in Northern Osteth, and ultimately outside several major towns, each Shadow battalion moved to the telepathic will of a powerful Captain. In the ultimate confrontation, heroes followed the leaders of the invasion into the floating "Shadow Spires," and some into a terrible new dungeon, where they destroyed a gemlike device of unknown purpose, the so-called Nexus crystal. Soon afterward, the invaders were quickly overcome, whether due to the destruction of the Crystal is not clear.
<br><br>No threat has yet replaced the Shadow invasion. But Dereth's champions remain vigilant. They have built a new town in the Direlands to support travelers and serve as a base for launching sorties against the local monsters. After much experimentation, weapon smiths have perfected a new class of thrusting sword -- the rapier -- which allows for unsurpassed piercing attacks. Alchemists have invented new potions. And spellcasters have consolidated years of research to make the referencing of spells far more efficient. A mood of quiet satisfaction and restfulness has replaced the horror of the Shadow assault; however, all but the most fatuous have kept in mind the leering apparition that appeared among storm clouds in the north, the Nexus Crystal, and the invisible presence that tested and interrogated selected heroes. The Heroes' Respite, they know, must be just that -- a temporary rest.</i>
<br>Continuing our commitment to bring you a major, world-impacting event every month, we introduce "Heroes' Respite." Far from a time for idleness, the calm after the Shadow invasion is an opportunity to consolidate our hold on the Direlands and work on new skills. The developers have finished a long list of bug fixes; changed the spell UI; increased the loot to be found on monsters; introduced the rapier, a powerful thrusting sword; created new alchemical potions; and more. See the State of the Code and Build Notes, May 2nd, for full information on this extensive game update. See the [[Announcements - 2000/05 - Heroes' Respite#State of the Code|<font color=#FFFFCC>State of the Code</font>]] and [[Announcements - 2000/05 - Heroes' Respite#Release Notes | <font color=#FFFFCC>Build Notes, May 2nd</font>]], for full information on this extensive game update.
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