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Massively's exclusive TERA lore: Contents Under Pressure
Ah, Berserkers. If you've ever wondered what goes on in the minds of warriors who let their emotions run wild, the newest TERA "Day in the Life" lore entry might pique your interest. Either that, or pay a visit to the nearest MMORPG forum. In any event, En Masse Entertainment lead writer David Noonan has penned a tale of battle, bloodlust, and bodacious armor that features Naurene, a High Elf Berserker with a giant axe and an attitude to match. While she's easy on the eyes in that typical TERA fashion, Naurene isn't exactly a girl you'd bring home to meet the family, as she's in the habit of talking to her recently deceased foes and rarely anyone else. Jump the cut for her story as well as a few new screens.
Massively's exclusive TERA lore: Five Tenets
Curious about the stoic Baraka race of En Masse Entertainment's upcoming TERA MMORPG? If so, Massively has a treat for you in the form of our latest exclusive lore entry from the world of Arborea. Despite their fearsome physiques and brooding countenances, Baraka are one of TERA's more scholarly races, and their barrel-chested bodies belie a gentle nature and pacifistic tendencies. It's not all bookworms and turning the other cheek though, as today's yarn by En Masse lead writer David Noonan demonstrates. When pressed, Baraka can be quite fearsome -- if cerebral -- fighting machines. Join us after the cut for a day in the life of Thuul, a Baraka archer tasked with defending his home against the horde of argon invaders.
Breakfast Topic: Is it the world or the gameplay that keeps you hooked?
This Breakfast Topic has been brought to you by Seed, the Aol guest writer program that brings your words to WoW Insider's pages. When I first started playing WoW, I read every quest. I was a newbie who didn't know where anything was and didn't even know of the existence of addons to help me in my questing. So I often searched the quest text for clues about where to find mobs and items. As my game savvy increased, I read the quests less and less, until finally I didn't read them at all but rather clicked on my map to see where I needed to go and what I needed to kill. Now, I find myself slowing down again. The lore is interesting to me, and more and more, I realize how expansive the world is and how fun it is to participate in that world. I am not an RPer by any account, but I find myself wanting WoW to be a world and not just a game. Out of a desire to understand and enjoy the lore, some players have read Arthas: Rise of the Lich King, The Shattering, and other WoW / Warcraft-related books. Other players have absolutely no desire to know the lore and view WoW as a game that they enjoy playing -- not a live-action fantasy novel. Are you the sort of player who loves the lore? Or do you just play for the game action? %Poll-57582%
Massively's exclusive TERA lore: Slaughter is the Best Medicine
Pay attention TERA fans, as Massively's got another lore exclusive to whet your appetite for the forthcoming fantasy MMORPG from En Masse and Bluehole Studio. While we'd love to tell you about American or European beta dates, not to mention a launch window, this tasty morsel from En Masse writer R.K. MacPherson will have to do for the moment. Join us after the cut for the story of Traius, a young Castanic soldier (and a member of the recently revealed Mystic class) who grows tired of waiting on the call to arms. Be sure to check out the new screens throughout the text, and have a look back at our previous lore exclusives for more of TERA's backstory.
Massively's exclusive TERA lore: Brothers
Massively is proud to bring you another TERA exclusive this week, in the form of a new lore snippet penned by En Masse Entertainment scribe Bridget McKenna. The piece fleshes out more of TERA's extensive backstory by offering a glimpse into the lives of two Amani soldiers preparing for the endless war against the argon. Turn the page for another intriguing master and apprentice yarn, this time focusing on the stoic Nariiz and his tough-as-nails lance instructor Furad. Don't forget to gawk at our exclusive screenshots sprinkled throughout the text, and check out our previous lore exclusives that you might have missed.
Fallen Earth takes part in NaNoWriMo
November, for those of you unfamiliar with the concept, is National Novel Writing Month and host to an annual challenge -- write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. It's a tall order that not everyone can manage, but the Fallen Earth development team contains at least one hopeful. Director of Content Development Wes Platt is working on his novel, and he's looking to the game's players to help make it a collaborative effort every step of the way. With an official thread on the forums, Platt is both posting his progress as he goes and taking suggestions from players as to where the story should head next. He also has posted his NaNoWriMo profile page so that players also taking part in the contest can track his progress and cheer him along. Fallen Earth fans would do well to take part in the crafting of the story -- it's not just the first novel for the game, but a novel written in a month's time.
Massively Exclusive: TERA lore - The Slayer's Spark
Yesterday we brought you news of En Masse Entertainment's new Race and Class series, which kicked off with a profile of castanics and slayers, as well as a collation of TERA's extensive world lore. Today, Massively is proud to bring you an exclusive look at even more of the upcoming action MMO's backstory, courtesy of En Masse scribe R.K. MacPherson. Join us after the cut for The Slayer's Spark, a master and apprentice tale featuring the no-nonsense castanic Isaura and a fresh-faced amani Vanguard recruit named Jahangir.
Choose My Adventure: Psychopathic Hatchet
Choose the adventures of the WoW Insider staff as we level our characters in <It came from the Blog> on Zangarmarsh (US-PvE-H). Spoiler warning: The video above and Robinemia's recap after the break are full of Cataclysm spoilers. Above is what happens when Choose My Adventure is live (the picture links to the video). See the board with the nail? It was not the most appropriate quest reward for me. Yet the voters chose it because Psychopathic Hatchet was the best name and it wasn't a placeholder graphic. No, it's not a hatchet. It's a board with a nail. But the axe was a staff, so yeah. Anyway, Roblinator the goblin shaman is winning the polls. If you don't like it, go vote. Another Prupher gallery and Robinemia's recap are after the break. Schedule Anne Stickney as Annephora, the level 42 troll warrior, will play on Tuesday at 1 a.m. EDT (which is Monday at 11 p.m. Zangarmarsh time). Robin Torres will play the character that wins the polls: Wednesday, 1 p.m. EDT. This will be streamed. Adventurers who play when they can Fox Van Allen as Foxlight, the level 26 blood elf paladin Lisa Poisso as Prupher, the level 14 tauren druid Michael Sacco as Shockbroker, the goblin shaman Christian Belt, as Selfloathius, the level 16 blood elf warlock Robin Torres, as Robinemia, the level 29 Forsaken mage Matthew Rossi as Andrenorton, the level 17 troll mage Gregg Reece as Sandwichdoc, the level 17 troll shaman
Choose My Adventure: Prupher, Peenk and Robinemia
Choose the adventures of the WoW Insider staff as we level our characters in <It came from the Blog> on Zangarmarsh (US-PvE-H). Spoiler warning: Peenk's story and video on the next page contains Cataclysm spoilers. Robinemia the Forsaken huntress is currently winning the polls for this Wednesday's stream. If you don't like that, vote now! The recaps on the next page include Prupher's bearness and the death of two alts, among other things. But first, the schedule. Schedule Adam Holisky as Adammentat, the level 67 tauren druid, will play on Monday at 10 p.m. EDT. Anne Stickney as Annephora, the level 42 troll warrior, will play on Tuesday at 1 a.m. EDT (which is Monday at 11 p.m. Zangarmarsh time). Robin Torres will play whomever wins the polls: Wednesday, 1 p.m. EDT. This will be streamed. Adventurers who play when they can Fox Van Allen as Foxlight, the level 26 blood elf paladin Lisa Poisso as Prupher, the level 12 tauren druid Michael Sacco as Shockbroker, the goblin shaman Christian Belt, as Selfloathius, the level 16 blood elf warlock Robin Torres, as Robinemia, the level 29 Forsaken mage Matthew Rossi as Andrenorton, the level 17 troll mage Gregg Reece as Sandwichdoc, the level 17 troll shaman
Mongoliad project has launched, apps still coming soon
Neal Stephenson's Mongoliad project has launched -- you can go browse the website right now and read through the offerings available. As Cory Doctorow posts, the project is a series of episodic stories and materials portraying a universe put together by Stephenson and a few other author friends. The idea seems to be that you pay a subscription fee ($5.99 for six months, or $9.99 for a year), and then get access to whatever fiction content is being posted at that time, as well as a giant online Wikipedia-style database of the universe's background. There's not much about the story itself, but Doctorow calls it "epic, a swashbuckling swordplay novel with the sweep, charm and verve of the major Stephenson epics, such as System of the World." That right there sounds interesting enough to pay six bucks and see what's going on. Unless, that is, you want to actually wait for it on the iPhone. Originally, this was announced as a project that would make its way to mobile devices (like the iPhone), but it looks like we'll have to wait for that. The main page of the project says that they'll "soon be taking subscriptions for app delivery to some of the most popular mobile devices," so I'll probably wait on paying any money until that service comes up -- don't want to pay twice. But we'll keep an eye out for it and let you know when it's available.
Choose My Adventure: Patent and Foxlight
Choose the adventures of the WoW.com staff as we level our characters in <It came from the Blog> on Zangarmarsh (US-PvE-H). I'm so sorry I never had the stream last week as promised. I got sick, then The Spawn got sick and we had to go visit Great Grandpa who was sick. Boo! (The Spawn and I are fully recovered and Great Grandpa is well cared for.) You may have also noticed we didn't have our usual polls on Friday. That's because we are going to have them on Wednesdays from now on. Our adventures will be recapped on Mondays, which begins today with the return of Foxlight and Patent after the break. Ch-ch-ch-changes! But first, the schedule: Schedule Adam Holisky as Adammentat, the level 62 tauren druid, will play on Monday at 10 p.m. EDT. Robin Torres as Robinemia, the Forsaken huntress: Wednesday, 11 p.m. EDT. Note: This will be streamed. Amy Schley as Patent, the level 29 troll rogue: Thursday, 10 p.m. EDT Anne Stickney as Annephora, the level 42 troll warrior, will play on Saturday at 1 a.m. EDT (which is Friday at 11 p.m. Zangarmarsh time). Adventurers who play when they can Fox Van Allen as Foxlight, the level 25 blood elf paladin Lisa Poisso as Prupher, the level 11 tauren druid Michael Sacco as Shockbroker, the goblin shaman Christian Belt, as Selfloathius, the level 16 blood elf warlock Robin Torres, as Robinemia, the level 29 Forsaken mage Matthew Rossi as Andrenorton, the level 17 troll mage Michael Gray as Grayfields, the level 17 tauren hunter Gregg Reece as Sandwichdoc, the level 16 troll shaman
Choose My Adventure: Death, dust, dwarves and distractions
Choose the adventures of the WoW.com staff as we level our characters in <It came from the Blog> on Zangarmarsh (US-PvE-H). Note: The video above and the stories on the next page contain Cataclysm spoilers. You have been warned. Above is the video of last Wednesday's stream, in case you missed it. Turn the page for recaps from Prupher, Robinka and Peenk, as well as the latest about the level 60 raids. Schedule [Update: Due to a headache, I am rescheduling tonight's stream for Friday night. Sorry for the inconvenience.]Robin Torres as Robinemia, the Forsaken huntress: Wednesday Friday, 11 p.m. EDT Note: This will be streamed. Amy Schley as Patent, the level 28 troll rogue: Thursday, 10 p.m. EDT Adventurers who play when they can Fox Van Allen as Foxlight, the level 25 blood elf paladin Lisa Poisso as Prupher, the level 11 tauren druid Michael Sacco as Shockbroker, the goblin shaman Christian Belt, as Selfloathius, the level 16 blood elf warlock Robin Torres, as Robinemia, the level 29 Forsaken mage Matthew Rossi as Andrenorton, the level 17 troll mage Michael Gray as Grayfields, the level 17 tauren hunter Gregg Reece as Sandwichdoc, the level 16 troll shaman
Choose My Adventure: Robinemia won't shut up
Choose the adventures of the WoW.com staff as we level our characters in <It came from the Blog> on Zangarmarsh (US-PvE-H). Above is photographic evidence that Ezra's character and quest are still in Cataclysm. We have stories after the break, but first, here's the schedule. Schedule Robin Torres as Robinka, the level 1 dwarf shamanka: Wednesday, 11 p.m. EDT Note: This will be streamed. Amy Schley as Patent, the level 25 troll rogue: Thursday, 10 p.m. EDT Adventurers who play when they can Fox Van Allen as Foxlight, the level 25 blood elf paladin Lisa Poisso as Prupher, the level 11 tauren druid Michael Sacco as Shockbroker, the goblin shaman Christian Belt, as Selfloathius, the level 16 blood elf warlock Elizabeth Harper as Faience, the level 24 troll shaman Matthew Rossi as Andrenorton, the level 17 troll mage Michael Gray as Grayfields, the level 17 tauren hunter Gregg Reece as Sandwichdoc, the level 16 troll shaman Spoiler warning: Some of the stories that follow have Cataclysm spoilers. You have been warned.
Choose My Adventure: We've got your stories right here
Choose the adventures of the WoW.com staff as we level our characters in <It came from the Blog> on Zangarmarsh (US-PvE-H). I'll be streaming my adventures as Robidin the tauren paladin tonight on WoW.com's Justin.tv channel. This week we have stories from Prupher, Shockbroker and Robinemia. Schedule Robin Torres as Robidin the level 1 tauren paladin: Wednesday, 11 p.m. EDT Note: This will be streamed. Amy Schley as Patent, the level 24 troll rogue: Thursday, 10 p.m. EDT Anne Stickney as Annephora, the level 42 troll warrior, will be on Friday at 1 a.m. EDT (which is Thursday at 11 p.m. Zangarmarsh time) Fox Van Allen as Foxlight, the level 22 blood elf paladin, Lisa Poisso as Prupher the level 10 tauren druid; Michael Sacco as Shockbroker, the goblin shaman; Christian Belt, as Selfloathius, the level 16 blood elf warlock; Elizabeth Harper as Faience, the level 24 troll shaman; Matthew Rossi as Andrenorton, the level 17 troll mage; Michael Gray as Grayfields, the level 17 tauren hunter; and Gregg Reece as Sandwichdoc, the level 16 troll shaman, will be making appearances as they can Turn the page for this week's adventure recaps. Spoiler warning: some Cataclysm lore will be referenced.
Choose My Adventure: Crossbows are cool
Choose the adventures of the WoW.com staff as we level our characters in <It came from the Blog> on Zangarmarsh (US-PvE-H). Despite the deer-in-the-headlights look on Robinemia's face, she agrees with me: Crossbows are cool. Schedule Robin Torres as Roblinator the goblin huntress (or another functional beta character): Wednesday, 11 p.m. EDT Amy Schley as Patent, the level 24 troll rogue: Thursday, 10 p.m. EDT Lisa Poisso as Prupher the proofreading druid: Thursday, 10 p.m. EDT Fox Van Allen as Foxlight, the level 22 blood elf paladin: Friday, 8 p.m. EDT Michael Sacco as Shockbroker, the goblin shaman; Christian Belt, as Selfloathius, the level 16 blood elf warlock; Elizabeth Harper as Faience, the level 24 troll shaman; Matthew Rossi as Andrenorton, the level 17 troll mage; Michael Gray as Grayfields, the level 17 tauren hunter; and Gregg Reece as Sandwichdoc, the level 16 troll shaman, will be making appearances as they can. I'll be streaming my session tonight, barring any fun reinstalling adventures. Turn the page for Sandwichdoc, Annephora and others.
Choose My Adventure: Where's Roblinator?
Choose the adventures of the WoW.com staff as we level our characters in <It came from the Blog> on Zangarmarsh (US-PvE-H). She's in there somewhere -- falling to her doom. Not really. A parachute appeared. No goblins were harmed in the taking of that screenshot. Anyway, here's the schedule: Robin Torres as Roblinator the goblin huntress: Wednesday, 11 p.m. EDT Update: TBA Amy Schley as Patent, the level 23 troll rogue: Thursday, 10 p.m. EDT Lisa Poisso as Prupher the proofreading druid: Thursday, 10 p.m. EDT Fox Van Allen as Foxlight, the level 22 blood elf paladin: Friday, 8 p.m. EDT Michael Sacco as Shockbroker, the goblin shaman; Christian Belt, as Selfloathius, the level 16 blood elf warlock; Elizabeth Harper as Faience, the level 24 troll shaman; Matthew Rossi as Andrenorton, the level 17 troll mage; Michael Gray as Grayfields, the level 17 tauren hunter; and Gregg Reece as Sandwichdoc, the level 16 troll shaman, will be making appearances as they can. I'm playing Roblinator on Lost Isles (US-PvE-H) during my session tonight and will be streaming. Update: Due to the fact that I am having to reinstall the beta and The Spawn is being rather emo today, I am postponing the stream until later on in the week. More on Roblinator plus recaps from last week after the break.
Choose My Adventure: I'm cheating on you
Choose the adventures of the WoW.com staff as we level our characters in <It came from the Blog> on Zangarmarsh (US-PvE-H). I still have many moving chores to do, but if I do play tonight, I'll be cheating on you and Robinemia by playing Roblin the Goblin. Or maybe I should play Robiness the Worgeness. Hmmmm ... I feel a poll coming on. But polls are for Friday. Wednesday is advice and story day. First, here's the schedule Amy Schley as Patent, the level 23 troll rogue: Thursday, 10 p.m. EDT Lisa Poisso as Prupher the proofreading druid (Lisiel just didn't fit a tauren): Thursday, 10 p.m. EDT Fox Van Allen as Foxlight, the level 22 blood elf paladin: Friday, 8 p.m. EDT Michael Sacco as Sahko, the orc warlock; Christian Belt, as Selfloathius, the level 16 blood elf warlock; Elizabeth Harper as Faience, the level 24 troll shaman; Matthew Rossi as Andrenorton, the level 17 troll mage; Michael Gray as Grayfields, the level 17 tauren hunter; and Gregg Reece as Sandwichdoc, the level 15 troll shaman, will be making appearances as they can. Advice for Foxlight and stories are after the break.
Choose My Adventure: A moment of silence
Choose the adventures of the WoW.com staff as we level our characters in <It came from the Blog> on Zangarmarsh (US-PvE-H). Those of you who have listened to my Robinemia streams may remember a couple times when Thor joined us by meowing for attention and keeping my lap warm. He has now gone to the great kitty playland in the sky, where he can chase lizards and eat tuna forever. And now that I've completely bummed you out, here is the rest of this week's schedule: Anne Stickney as Annephora, the level 41 troll warrior, will be on Friday at 1 a.m. EDT (which is Thursday at 11 p.m. Zangarmarsh time) Fox Van Allen as Foxlight, the level 22 blood elf paladin: Friday, 8 p.m. EDT Michael Sacco as Sahko, the orc warlock; Christian Belt, as Selfloathius, the level 15 blood elf warlock; Elizabeth Harper as Faience, the level 24 troll shaman; Matthew Rossi as Andrenorton, the level 17 troll mage; Michael Gray as Grayfields, the level 17 tauren hunter; and Gregg Reece as Sandwichdoc, the level 13 troll shaman, will be making appearances as they can. Turn the page for some lighthearted stories from Sandwichdoc and Foxlight.
Choose My Adventure: Choices
Choose the adventures of the WoW.com staff as we level our characters in <It came from the Blog> on Zangarmarsh (US-PvE-H). See that video above? I'll be making another one live tonight. Different place. Same objective: insanity. Here's the schedule for the rest of the week. Robin Torres as Robinemia, the level 28 undead mage: Wednesday, 11 p.m. EDT Fox Van Allen as Foxlight, the level 21 blood elf paladin: Friday, 8 p.m. EDT Michael Sacco as Sahko, the orc warlock; Christian Belt, as Selfloathius, the level 15 blood elf warlock; Elizabeth Harper as Faience, the level 24 troll shaman; Matthew Rossi as Andrenorton, the level 17 troll mage; Michael Gray as Grayfields, the level 17 tauren hunter; and Gregg Reece as Sandwichdoc, the level 11 troll shaman, will be making appearances as they can. We've got some stuff for you to read after the break.
Choose My Adventure: Stories and recruitment
Choose the adventures of the WoW.com staff as we level our characters in <It came from the Blog> on Zangarmarsh (US-PvE-H). I will be streaming my session tonight. Details to be posted just before it goes live. Robin Torres as Robinemia, the undead mage: Wednesday, 11 p.m. EDT Fox Van Allen as Foxlight, the blood elf paladin: Saturday, 8 p.m. EDT Michael Sacco as Sahko, the orc warlock; Christian Belt, as Selfloathius, the blood elf warlock; Elizabeth Harper as Faience, the troll shaman; Matthew Rossi as Andrenorton, the troll mage; Michael Gray as Grayfields, the tauren hunter; Adam Holisky as Adammentat, the tauren druid; and Gregg Reece as Sandwichdoc, the shaman, will be making appearances as they can. We have stories from Patent, Sandwichdoc and Selfloathius. Also, as I have said before, Robinemia needs help.
