Well, this week saw the August 2012 Patch. I am still getting over the results of the planning and implementation of these changes.
Probably the most significant addition is the release of 'Stipends'. These are available once a week to all players simply by talking to an NPC in Arwic. He hands you a document which is bound to you and one can accumulate them until you wish to use them.
The NPC standing next to him then gives rewards in exchange for 1 or more stipends.
They include such things as:
Augmentation Gem
All level 7 Creature Spells
All Level 7 Item Spells
All Level 7 Life Spells
All Level 7 War and Void Spells
1 Level of Experience
Attribute Reset
Skill Reset
Mastery Reset
Lumenience Award
10 Promissory Notes (No idea what they are for)
As a result you can get all Level 7 Spells, get an Augmentation, reset your player, and gain levels without ever leaving Arwic.
There are some good and bad thoughts on this new feature.
For a craftsman/buffing mage, you can possibly get your augs and XP without ever having to enter combat.
For 150 Level+ characters, you get a nice boost towards 275 that will help speed you along.
You no longer need to search and search for missing Level 7 Spells.
I guess one needs to see how they play out over the next several months.
Exployer Society
The whole Lucky Gold/Red Letter world has also been turned upside down.
I believe the existing quests were pretty much ignored due to the Pathwarden Armor and Facility Hub coming into existance and removing the need for starting armor/weapons for new characters.
The old letters can be turned for a little XP. They appear to be worthless to the new quests that require level 40 characters (at least).
Two of the quest towns have been removed from the list. Each of the dungeons that contain a town stamp have been greatly increased in toughness.
The weapon rewards are so much better and require a 325 wield capability.
The Armor and jewelry look pretty good also.
The downside is that all of these items are bonded and require the character to acquire the Town Stamps themselves. The Lucky Letters are not bound and can be acquired and given from anyone.
My limited testing so far has indicated that they are a bit more difficult to acquire. They will probably become somewhat of a patron acquired item given to vassals.
Forged Weapons
The Forged Weapons appear to have also been updated. Those weapons require Pyreal Bars and have options.
Their dungeons have also been updated.
I have not gotten one of those weapons for a while. Will need to check them out.
There are many more changes in this patch, however, they appear to be along the lines of new and updated content.
One of the changes to the game is the slow improvement in the importance of Arwic. By putting the building in with the Feb Patch and the Golems for exchanges, Arwic became an often visited town.
With the addition of the Weekly Stipend, it is so much more important.
I expect to see much of the Monarchies setting up their Alliance Hometown as Arwic as a result of these changes.
I need to get out and start playing my characters after the patch. The XP Quests are interesting and I have already run through the Frozen Fury Quest a couple of times.
I want to get enough gold letters to outfit a couple of characters in the new armor/weapons/jewelry.
Lots of things to do over the next few weeks.
