OWE News

Alces Enters 7th Circle

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 06:59:00 +0000

Alces passed the 7th Circle Fighter test today. Woohoo! Stomp stomp!

Cammie Leaves OWE

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 06:59:00 +0000

Cammie left OWE in order to start the new clan Safari with some frequent hunting buddies. We are sorry to see her go and wish her the best of luck!

Barrens Circuit

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:59:00 +0000

The Open Hunt went to Ash Barrens. I was feeling sluggish, so Talin kindly volunteered to lead. She took us around the woods and rocky areas, where we saw some impressive spawns of Blight and Mange Ferals. We ended with a stop at the Rebel Base.

OWE present: Cammie, Creed, and Torin

Open Glen Hunt

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 06:59:00 +0000

The Open Hunt returned to Mountain Glen, one of the best fits for a large mixed group. After we cleared the first two floors of the Ruined Castle, I wasted several minutes trying to split the group. In the end the consensus was that a split was a bad idea, so we all went to hunt T'rools.

After a good circuit through the T'rool caves, I started moving us homeward. We were surprised at the entry cave with an unusual spawn of Mammoth Stone Arachnes. In retrospect, I think we could have prevailed, but I made some bad calls and helped to wipe out most of the group. Fortunately a rescue was prompt in coming.

OWE present: Creed, Noivad, Terise duMiroir, and Torin.

Noivad Saves Kisa?

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 06:59:00 +0000

Kisa has drawn a picture of our heroic Sheriff in action. A dangerous job indeed!

Metz Split Hunt

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 06:59:00 +0000

The Open Hunt went to Metzetli Island. It used to be my favorite place back when the Open Hunt was a much smaller affair. I had been a little worried about taking a large mixed group there, but perhaps needlessly.

Balbo took my place, as we were a little light on healers. We went toward the Gloaming caves and then split up. I am not sure whether the split could have been done better or it was just a bad idea under the circumstances. The larger main group was left with several fighters, but none of them were bricks. It ran into a large spawn and all but Suu'ub fell, but eventually we recovered. The Gloaming group also came back to help. Then the main group ran to the Cove.

OWE present: Balbo, Cammie, Creed, and Noivad.

Book 1 Interlude

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 04:06:00 +0000

After two weeks of new Ash, I thought we needed a change of scene. A couple of people were interested in training Book 1, so we ventured into the Pitch Caves.

We made it to the destination without too much trouble. Many thanks to Cinnamon and PureHeat for running webbers to PC2.

We might have been able to go to PC 5, but we were running tight on time. We headed back to town. K'vynn was in a hurry to get to his knighting ceremony--congrats!--so he ran ahead, fell, got ported to OV, and departed.

OWE present: Cammie, Creed, Lucero, Noivad, Polgara, and Torin.

Puddleby Cribs

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 23:17:00 +0000

Cammie has published the first installment of Puddleby Cribs, a look at the homes of our fellow exiles. Illora Mone's apartment was featured this time.

Return to the Barrens

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 23:30:00 +0000

The Open Hunt returned to the southern part of the new Ash Island areas, which some people have started calling the Barrens. The group was big enough--just under 30 at the peak--for me to consider a split, but the healer ratio was too low. (The Open Hunt seems especially popular with fighters.)

One circuit was enough for over half of the group. With only two healers remaining, I took a break and asked Balbo to join. The smaller group ended up looking for EBow, who had gotten separated and fallen earlier.

OWE present: Balbo, Cammie, Creed, Kalian, and Torin.

New Ash

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 02:33:00 +0000

The Open Hunt did a tour of the southern part of the new Ash Island areas. It was a big group, about 25 of us.

Without an Atkus-boosting Mystic, several people had a difficult time hitting the creatures. A couple wanted to leave early, so Creed and I tried to escort them from the Cemetery to the exit. I underestimated how difficult that would be. The snell just before the exit was very busy, so we had to wait for the rest of the group.

Then the remaining people went to the Rebel areas. Unfortunately, those who were there for the first time didn't have enough esteem to enter their base.

OWE present: Cammie, Creed, J'jh, Kalian, Noivad, Terise duMiroir, and Torin.

Cammie Marries Blindkan-C

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 06:59:00 +0000

Cammie and Blindkan-C were married by Phiros in the chapel. The ceremony was attended by many friends of the bride and groom. Then people gathered in Bard's Field for a party with music, food, and beer. Congrats to the happy couple! Read the full story with more sketches on Cammie's journal.

MAP in Orga Country

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 03:11:00 +0000

Cammie reports on a recent Midbie Adventure Party trip to the Foothills and Orga Outback. MAP is an open hunt that meets on Fridays at 10:30 PM Eastern.

Failed PC Trip

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 06:59:00 +0000

Inu Teisei organized an open trip to Pathfinding Book 2 at the regular Open Hunt time. After the trip last October, I was hopeful that we could succeed again.

The group got to PC-5 without any trouble. We had three Full Mystics—Hepta, K'vynn, and Phiros—to teleport us, and the landing in PC-6 was easy.

In PC-7, we set up in the first pit and waited as a couple of people lured the rest of the large and winding snell. A lurer fell and called for help. A couple of healers mistakenly believed that she was behind us, due to the twisting of the passage. They inadvertently lured many webber noids that had spawned in PC-6. I heard from someone later that there were webbers coming from the north as well. That was the end of the trip.

I'm sad to report that some ugly cursing was shouted in frustration after the group fell. We were all disappointed, but it was a good-faith error. Open trips depend on the good will of a lot of people. There is no place for disrespect.

Anyway, the Book 2 route is rarely traveled, so I learn something every time. Next time I will have a better mental picture of PC-6 and PC-7.

OWE present: Cammie, Creed, Kalian, Noivad, Terise duMiroir, Torin, and Yor.

Kalian and Natas, Take Two

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 18:50:00 +0000

Kisa has drawn another picture of Natas and Kalian. You can see Natas leaving the cave and Kalian left behind to the mercy of some nasty pincers. Confused? Check out Kisa's Sketchbook to learn more.

Orga and Darshak Battles

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:06:00 +0000

Cammie reports on two recent battles in and near Puddleby. The first was a clash with the new Orga tribe in East Forest. The second was a Darshak invasion that exiles repelled with help from a rebel Darshak faction.

Creed Becomes a Knight

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 04:59:00 +0000

After serving as Altir's squire, Creed was dubbed a Knight. Congratulations! Tuska Ser Creed!

Read the full story at ThoomCare Media Network.

Ruined Castle Split Hunt

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:03:00 +0000

I tried splitting the Open Hunt again. At first we all went as one big group to the Ruined Castle in Mountain Glen. Then I had Nyla pick a higher level group to go to the Ctenizidae lair. The 11 of them were Evita, Han, Kalian, Leinis, Lightbringer, Nyla, Seld'kar, Shiner, Suu'ub III, Talin, and Trev.

The main group of 20 people stayed in the main area of the Castle. We had a nice mix of all levels, so the Arachnes were challenging yet not overwhelming. Salazar provided helpful boosts. Toward the end, we went to the first snell of the T'rool caves.

As the main group was leaving, we bumped into the elite group. Everyone seemed in good spirits. I hope to use a similar split in other areas.

OWE present: Cammie, Creed, J'jh, Kalian, and Torin.

The NO in NOOB

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 23:47:00 +0000

Jeepers organized a trip to the New Orga Outback (NOOB). The group captured the first snell easily. The second snell, however, proved too much. Dinsdale and Gremlins fell and were chained away by Razzia (four were seen). Califas, Jeepers, and J'nder were too deeply lightning-fried to be raised, so we had to abort.

OWE present: Jeepers, J'nder, Torin, and Yor.

Pazuzu Enters 6th Circle

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 05:04:00 +0000

Honor announced that Pazuzu passed the test to become a 6th circle fighter. Woohoo! Now if only he can be lured out of the library more often to show off his mad skills. Tuska Paz!

Splitting the Open Hunt

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:38:00 +0000

Today I tried an experiment with the Open Hunt. It has been difficult to find places that can accommodate everyone who shows up, from 1st to 8th circle. I usually pick high level places that challenge the higher level exiles and offer a sightseeing experience to the rest. My idea for today was to split into two hunts, one going to a very challenging place and the other going to a mid-level destination.

For the high level hunt, I chose Sarra. I asked Kalian to lead because he had the most experience there. Talin recruited Xel to open the Mystic entrance for us.

Capturing the snell beyond the safe cave went smoothly. Kalian did a great job in leading us around Sarra. The exit was lightly guarded, so we left by the power of our own feet—which is never guaranteed. Yay!

People had some time remaining so we went to the Earthwyrm cave. It took us only a few minutes to clear it, and then we called it a day. Thanks to all who participated, especially Kalian for leading.

I heard mixed reviews of the mid/low hunt. At least a couple of people felt abandoned, and the average level of the turnout was closer to low than mid. I will look at the visionstones and listen to more of the post-mortem discussion to see how the experience of the lower part of the split can be improved.

OWE present, high/mid hunt: Balbo, Creed, Kalian, Lucero, and Noivad.

OWE present, mid/low hunt: Artworx, Cammie, and Terise duMiroir.

MAP Goes to Dredwood

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 07:59:00 +0000

The Midbie Adventure Party (MAP) went to Dredwood last week. See Cammie's journal entry for a report. MAP is a regular hunt that meets every Friday at 10:30 PM Eastern; fighters/healers of 2nd-5th circle and mystics of any level are welcome.

Book 1 Again

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 01:53:00 +0000

The Open Hunt went back to pathfinding Book 1 in the Pitch Caves. I intend to go there about once a month as long there is a demand. We had about 40 people show up, though a few left soon after reaching Book 1.

For the most part, things went very smoothly, thanks to the strength of the group. We waited for some pathfinders with saved ranks to get more than one chapter. Then we made our way to PC 5 before heading back.

We did have a tricky moment going back into PC 1. An all-in had been called, but the situation changed as we entered. I got caught on the wrong side of the noids, but I made the best of it by running many of them to the southeast pit. The group quickly recovered, captured the cave, and headed home. Thanks to all who came!

OWE present: Cammie, Creed, J'jh, Kalian, Natas, Noivad, and Torin.

Midbie Adventure Party

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:47:00 +0000

Cammie started a regular weekly hunt called Midbie Adventure Party (MAP). It meets on Fridays at 10:30 PM Eastern. It is semi-open: mystics of any level and fighters and healers from 2nd to 5th circles are welcome. See Cammie's journal for an account of MAP's first hunt.

Hunter Enters 7th Circle

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 07:59:00 +0000

Hunter passed the 7th Circle Healer test. Congratulations! Tuska Hunter!

Abyss and Noth

noreply@blogger.com (Torin) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 04:46:00 +0000

Today's Open Hunt started at the Abyss. I hadn't been there in a long time, and a few had never seen it before. I served as the runner, and we got set up on the first try. The place was good for a while, but with only one snell, it wasn't really enough for a whole hunt.

The group then moved to Dal'noth. In retrospect, I think that we were overpowered for Noth, but there was some interest in going there, and we had two full Mystics with us.

We had some griping about creatures being killed too quickly, especially by Blindkan-C. During a break, K'vynn teleported him to the Village, where they exited before the rest of us. I felt ambivalent about that move, as it didn't feel in the team spirit. However, the consensus seemed to be that BKC got a necessary lesson after ignoring several warnings. It was pretty funny too.

OWE present: Artworx, Cammie, Creed, Kalian, and Torin.