Happy June, Origin!
Summer is here, and with it, the opening of the South-West Quadrant cave Hydra. As most of you already know, a number of Gembound helped the Masked Merchant gather up powerful gemstones to power the removal of a barrier
to Tunnel P in the thread, [Quest] The Trials - Part I.
Now, he's asking them to volunteer to take part in a
deadly trial that will
take part in Hydra itself! Hydra is a unique cave: nearly as large as Fornax, it's brutal in both environment and in a
new types of Lesser Gembound unique to Hydra itself. It is also a new concept: Hydra isn't the kind of place a Gembound will want to wander freely, on vacation. Instead, even
entering Hydra will open a player to dangerous attacks and perils, though the rewards, for the powerful (and the lucky) may be worth it. Incidentally, for those who wish to take part in the Trials but don't want to risk an existing character, there's still a few adoptables left, designed by staff!
With the opening of Hydra,
summer comes to Origin. Hot, dry winds blow through the caves, and water will be a bit more scarce--with rivers running lower, and rain coming only in evening storms.
As a reminder, the mysterious merchants of Polaris have
opened up shop, and anyone is still welcome to wander on over and trade with them. Who knows what they might have on offer?
In other news, the Bloodberries have, for now at least, disbanded--with only a couple of members left after the great battle in Eridanus, they've retreated to lick their wounds. Jayberry has begun raising more young soldiers, but will they join her in a new reign of terror, or will they refuse, and forge their own paths? Is the nightmare started by the goose Blackberry finally over?
And, of course, June's
OTM Winners have been announced. Head on over to that link for details, but
Dawn of the Final Day has been voted Thread of the Month,
Amazon as Character of the Month, and Amazon + Luster as Pair of the Month. Dark (that's me) has won MotM (thanks guys, now my world takeover begins... o_o).
To note, Amazon is the friendly little Armadillo Girdled Lizard whose radioactive Vandenbrandeite gemstone has caused her to gradually sicken. Facing death, she's joined the Hydra trials for one last bid at survival--can the Merchant reward her with health? Will she survive, or will she perish in a heroic last stand?
Happy Summer, folks, and to those taking part in the trials:
