As The Crow Flies

Just two years ago, Kingsisle co-founder J. Todd Coleman left his position to pursue other endeavors. His influence in developing Wizard101 and Pirate101 was enough that I wrote a post wishing Coleman the best of luck.

Now, he and Gordon Walton, another veteran in the gaming industry, are on the verge of releasing Crowfall. This unique MMO will be the first release of ArtCraft Entertainment, the company Coleman moved onto. I wouldn't know where to begin in describing it, so check out their Kickstarter page (linky) for yourself. Nearly halfway there already! Congratulations are in order for the old Headmaster Ambrose :)

 Wizard101 wasn't Coleman's first project. He oversaw another popular MMO, Shadowbane, earlier in his career. Similarly, the W101 and P101 community has never been solely dependent on Kingsisle enthusiasts. The first major bloggers and podcasters had past involvement in countless MMOs -- without that experience, Friendly and Leesha would not have become Tom and Leala, the community managers.

Similarly, more W101 and P101 bloggers are branching out to revamp or begin new sites for coverage on multiple MMOs. Here's a couple of them!

• Soultamer: In my opinion, Destiny Soultamer is the most creative Pirate101 blogger. With development slow in the Spiral, she remade her site for coverage on many other games. Check it out here: http://www.destinysoultamer.com/

• WatchHallow: After Wizards Unite, Ian Stormstaff extended his focus into a personal gaming blog. Check out his lovable, bunny-centric persona here: http://www.watchhallow.com/

• Shadowhorn Gaming: The incredibly ambitious Blaze Shadowhorn hasn't just found his niche, he's founded one of the first Crowfall fansites! Here's his new site: http://www.shadowhorngaming.com/ --- and what promises to be Crowfall Central: http://crushthethrone.com/

Seeing all the amazing work being done by others begs the question ...

 what are my future plans?

 I won't have the time or energy to keep up with Crowfall. I have played other games, but this site will remain centered on Wizard101 and Pirate101. In fact, I have an end date in mind for my blogging days. On the other hand, with more free time on my hands, I can promise that there will be much more content on this blog for the foreseeable future. A project or two is already in the works. When I retire from The Two-headed Wizard (a name I can't believe stuck on :P), I want to be assured that I not only entertained myself, but entertained the readers who have stuck around. You know who you are. Even though new comments come along about as often as an Amber reagent, the 100,000 page views (!) tell me I have an audience. Like the little PBS reminders, this content is made possible by viewers like you. Thank you.

Happy Blogging!

Piratin' to Sixty-Five

I haven't posted about Pirate101 much. This summer, I got through the grueling world that is Cool Ranch, and since then I've quested through the more enjoyable (and recognizable) worlds of Marleybone and Mooshu. I lost the pictures I took when I got a new laptop, but I didn't plan on posting many of them anyways :P

As an update though, here's what I've been doing in P101 recently:

Many a good time was had at Autumn Walker's Nautical EXP extravaganzas. Getting all that loot even bought me an Aquilan Galleon, something that seemed so far away when I finished Marleybone at a lowly Level 40 nautical level. Sadly, Autumn left the Spiral yesterday (<-- link to post). Although I did not know Autumn very well, she was on my friend list and I was hoping to become a better acquaintance through the biweekly NXP events she held through Secrets of the Spiral. Alas, Autumn's presence will certainly be missed in the community. Thank you for your efforts!

As I approached the level cap, I took the liberty of making a second character to fill some time. Almost up to Monquista on Jacques Jackson! (Nice alliteration bit there, no?)

Arlen's questing takes precedence, however ---

That's one krazy kat o_O

Owing to his stylish hat and robe, Swing has been beaten repeatedly by overzealous pirates. His fashions are a little extravagant for my tastes.

Quite a likeness there.

Catbeard swag.

I'm finding Pirate101 to be a lot more solo-able. The Hydra battle is the only boss I've encountered that's as frustrating as a pre-nerfed Aztecan beast. Kind of needed a henchman for that...

It isn't apparent from these stoned creatures, but Medusa was a surprisingly easy nemesis.

Gotta love crossovers. Where's Malistaire to help you now?! :P

It looks like we have to find a way into Valencia again. I'm thinking that may involve visiting Monquista's second skyway. There are a lot of theories floating around until new content is finally released. I wouldn't mind dropping in on Krokotopia, for one thing.

Won my current first mate in a Twitter giveaway. Him and El Toro can really blow the field away, especially with Riposte :D (one reason I created a Swashbuckler second).

In the meantime, I'm looking forward to whichever update comes first. Wizard's won't come out for at least another month, it seems. Morganthe continues to get a reprieve.

Until next time,

Happy Questing!

Kensington Park Revisited

If you're a very long time reader of this blog and have a great memory, you may be familiar with my all too frequent runs of Kensington Park back in the day - a.k.a early 2011 (wow, that was long ago). In fact, I wrote a long story for a school assignment once, detailing what would have happened if Stoker had succeeded in taking over the city. But that's another story - although KP really helped out my English grade. Anyways, I did Kensington Park with friends or by myself at least a hundred times, if not more, largely in pursuit of the Antique Cello furniture item. I never got it from Stoker, but thankfully I was sold one not too long after. I never even got a measly Spider Golem or Seraph to show for my efforts *sob*. I got quite a few Hydrants and Pews, at least.

Recently, I've gone back to Kensington to experience the change that was implemented in the April 2013 Update - "Kensington Park has been shortened". Okay - that limits the nostalgia a bit, but hey, it is shorter, right?! But just how short? Let's see...

Kensington Park is rarely noted as a prime reagent spot - but you can count on getting an Ore, Scrap Iron or Stone Block in many nooks and crannies. Spots with a nice mix of reagents usually reside behind one of the six bosses in this dungeon. In fact, I've got something related to this near the end of this post...

A couple more pieces to my assorted Hydrant and Pew collection.

Going through time and time again, I've memorized these lines, but Gyro's accent is still funny as ever.

Next up was the ramp to Stoker's. Also a perfect opportunity for an image recreation.

Now,

...and Then (December, 2010)

I haven't really changed besides wand and image quality, really. Level 60 was still the Level Cap then (50 just a couple months before!)

I've still got my "HOUSING ITEM OF THE DAY!" set up in my pleasant abode, too - including the Dog House and Potion Motion still inside.

Well, there's that, and my fabulous music box.

Moving on, though. I haven't played Potion Motion in years..

Now we get to the shortened part, as the update said - if memory recalls, there were 3-4 levels of golem and spider clockworks to beat between Stoker #1 and Stoker #2. Since April, those levels have been removed, thus shortening the dungeon (remind anyone of the Counterweights?). With that, Mr. Waggs above quote is technically incorrect. "Lots of help from other malfunctioning clockworks"? Yeah, right :P

My only qualm with the update is that the notorious (well, to me) Metal Head minion has gone extinct. It is no more - gone to meets it maker (Stoker?). This minion occupied a floor or two of the old Kensington Park, welcoming anyone who entered with the feared words...

                      "You like music? Well, come on and dance to some Heavy Metal, Wizard."

Metal Head, I'll miss messing up your programming features, over and over again.

But, away from the unnecessary nostalgic feelings, Stoker #2 follows immediately after Stoker #1 now! Yay!

I failed to take notice of my health several times (there aren't any health wisps, as always :P), but a very well-timed critical frog saved my bacon. Thank you, my gross, fat friend.

Nothing redemptive. Some things haven't changed.

You can always count on four pieces of scrap iron lying around beyond Stoker #2. As far as I know, that's the best place for Scrap Iron in the Spiral. It's lying at the end of a high-scale 6-boss dungeon, but hey, it's sort of worth it.

Now we come to the good part of the post - I didn't just do one run of KP!

I had an idea - what if I added up the average gold totals to gauge the average amount you could make per run?

I did 10-15 runs, but I miss-categorized or forgot to note my change in gold a few times (delta-gold total if you will).

So, I have five totals. I guess the sample is representative enough for Kensington Park.

Gold Totals per run (including Quest gold):

Run #1: (8,191) -> Snacks: 5 -> +1000

Run #2: (9,562) -> Snacks: 7 -> +1400

Run #3: (8,069) -> Snacks: 6 -> +1200

Run #4: (7,987) -> Snacks: 4 -> +800

Run #5: (6,939) -> Snacks: 1 -> +200

Average Gold Per Run:
~8150 (Snacks: ~5)

(I added the cheap Rank 4 snacks and their value - they aren't included in the original totals, as I personally don't sell snacks above Rank 3.)

Last but definitely not least, my proudest accomplishment of this post---
A good old-fashioned Reagent Map!

Yep. Good MS Paint work, if I do say so myself.

Also, yes, there is a set number of the reagents you will run into (if you look well enough) while doing a full run. That's 19 total reagents!

Welp, nice to visit old dungeons again. See you again some other year, Kensington.

---

To conclude this post, I'd like to continue the theme of nostalgia and give some of my memories of Ravenwood Radio, which went off the air in an 18 minute finale Thursday afternoon. Of course, they're not done podcasting, and it sounds like we're going to be in for a surprise next Wednesday at Pieces of Eight. Nonetheless, it is the conclusion to a 92-episode, fun-filled 4 years of the best show around. I was a big listener in 2010 and 2011, but the timing of the podcast + my IRL schedule didn't match up, and I haven't been to a live show in much too long. However, I'm planning to be at Pieces of Eight in 4 nights - who can resist the excitement?

Stephen and Leesha (who was succeeded by Fallon Storm, then IcyWiz) had a great run with RR, no question. My first big memory is Episode 19 - the Kingsisle Celestia interview. Desperate for news since the announcement of Celestia in March, wizards watched in awe as concept art of the future Trial of the Spheres bosses was shown. I then copy-pasted from Ravenwood Radio afterwards. Then, of course, there were the Nightside after-parties. Who can resist staying up late to mingle with the wizardly masses? My first after-party was after the big interview, as well. Ah, to be 2010 again, posting incessantly with cringe-y material.

I won't lie, though, I miss those days. Evident by the title on Ravenwood Radio, I suppose I shouldn't be dwelling on the past, but getting ready for the good times of the future. Wizards like Kevin Battleblood and Fallon Shadowblade/Diary Of A Wizard aren't around any more, but community leaders come and go - and

the Wizard101 community continues to go in such a cycle. Our community now has some great ideas and projects going around, as Swordroll spotlighted. I'm more of a relic of the past by now who only posts on occasion, but my point is - be a part of and contribute to the "good times" and enjoy them. One great chapter of Spiral podcasting has ended, but another chapter with even greater potential has opened.

That was a weird convolution of memories and thought, but I am personally looking forward to what Stephen and his crew have up their sleeves. Let the good times go on.

Happy Questing!

Animals

There are quite a few animals in this post, so I figured I would put that as the title. It's also a Pink Floyd album, lol. The Death duo has advanced from the Village of Sorrow to the Labyrinth in the last 2 weeks (along with part of Grizzleheim), so they deserve screenshots this time!

This little piggy fell flat on his rear.











And this little elephant destroyed the other piggy.











It's always cool to catch the Tree of Life fruit after the Death Oni battle. Kinda puts it into perspective by having to defeat 3 streets of enemies just for one of the fruits, too.












And so, later on, the Grand Chasm Past. It is in the past and the Vault numbers are in the 1930s, so I thought I'd do a little showcase in black-and-white.









Enjoying the breeze ;)










The volcano, now with an ugly dragon gracing the top of it, used to be just like the Mooshu background ones. Even a little snow on the top. Imagine a little snow on the Dragon Titan.









As Dragonspyre isn't exactly my favorite world, I'm doing one area in GH and then one in DS for a change of scenery. GH is very pretty but can get boring. DS isn't very pretty and can get boring.









Enjoying a little Frostholm scenery. Hard tell what time of day it is in GH, definitely not as dark as MB, but more like a very early morning place. Part of what makes it pretty and graces Arlen's name (Dawneyes)

















New robe and wand time! And 2 more levels till Wraith..










So, as about everyone knows (but it still isn't displayed on the Launcher..) - Wizard101 Tag is out! I'm lovin' it. (This has nothing to do with you, McDonalds) A main strategy seems to be

a) Find a hideout (behind a tree, rock, cranny, etc.)

b) Take a useful star to use when an enemy finds your hideout and approaches

These are handy, and I've tried them (Found a good spot at Winterbreeze's house earlier and staked out there). But, you have to admit, it's usually more fun when you're running around. Of course, the chances of losing are enhanced, but the only reward for winning is bragging rights. In normal Tag, I like to hang around the Gobbler, as I tend to giggle when the "Beware: ______" thing changes 5 times in several seconds :P. Wildfire Tag is really fun too, though, and I'm glad they made that one. Seems worth the 2,000 crowns. Also, there are more music scrolls and other minor updates on the patch notes---woot! It says it's coming out "later this year" though. Could this be a celestian wait?

And, taking advantage of the Test Realm earlier today, I got lucky and got the final Foo Dog talent Petnome was missing. Those beasts covering their eyes like that is too cute ^.^ remember to check out the Petnome contest that comes with the completed Foo Dogs! Twelve 10k crowns prizes.. ooh.

And so, to wrap up, Cheryl+Chase have reached the Labyrinth and the Hall of Valor as of tonight. I reached the Labyrinth a few days ago and did Mirkholm Keep this past day or two. I did spend a lot of time playing Tag and hung at Ditto's party last night too though. Was in a one and a half hour battle most of the party that ended with a close victory. We were down 3v4 most of the fight but managed as the other team lost a player who had to go and we defeated their Life wizard. Of course, Paige was the last one standing :P. And, of course, Happy 2nd Wizzaversary, Ditto! Let's hear it for many more to come listening to your furry tales ;)

So.. let's see how far the Death Duo gets before the next post. Seems I'm going biweekly posts now, so I'll set a goal for completion of DS and GH by then.. we'll see! See you guys in March and have a good Leap Year, then :) you can always follow my Twitter feed for updates too.

Happy Questing!

Meanwhile..

Well, that was a lot faster than I thought.. "Zafaria" is out.

Where to start? Well, I'm sure you all know that the new world is out, and I've decided to hold off all of my opinions on it till it comes to Live.. after all, I haven't set foot in the world yet and I don't want to add spoilers to anyone else :) I've seen too much already, lol.

That severely limits stuff I could post, but, I'll talk about the other updates besides ZF.

Armor Piercing:

Pretty clever, also lessens the value of shields, spells a lot of us take for granted :P. It also improves simple accuracy spells by adding a pierce ability to them as well, which is awesome. Might not throw away those Snipers anymore.

More Pet Feeding:
This doesn't always work, I gave my Fierce Hound a VERY expensive item from the Test Realm and got less than 2000 gold. But, I got a Grendelweed from a unauctionable Black Mantle Deck which normally would have sold for little gold, so it definitely works for things like those random unauctionable fire level 25 items and such. More info coming on those benefits later, Petnome is doing a side project for it as well, so don't hesitate to submit there.

Music Players:

Great idea! We're only offered the WC & KT theme to buy right now, but apparently the other themes drop from bosses around the Spiral.. we'll see how you can get those, I could really use a MB theme.

Anyways, a couple pictures to end the post. I expected more from myself too, but I want to hold most of my Zafaria opinions till I actually go in it, and have a series of Zafarian adventures like the CL adventures starting here. Wow, those times were awesome, questing nonstop in awe at CL for 17 days. Hope Zafaria is like that. Great memories :).

.. No comment ..

Donna Spellthorn gave me a rhino ride. It honestly makes me more excited to get this mount for duel-boxing, so useful, and SO asking for this Super Bundle for Christmas.

Thanks to a Diana Wildheart Nightmare Pack I won in a Twitter contest, a Ghost Dragon was the top reward! Woot :) thanks Diana!

And, thats pretty much it. I'll try to get one of my segment posts (Sights of the Spiral/Where The Streets Have No Name) next week, otherwise I'll probably just wait till Zafaria hits Live and then have a bit of a posting explosion. Hope its like the Celestian adventures I had in 2010 again, though High School is busy.. its better than Middle School, though! Good luck to those who are trying out the Test Realm and..

Happy Adventuring! (using this old end-signature which I used in my CL-quests posts, hehe).