Patch 3.5.6 – The Equinox Build – has arrived! In these waning days of summer, experience the scorching sands and blazing rays of The Oases of Anuk’Amon, a magical desert land where ancient pyramids, floating gardens in the sky, mountainous dunes of sand, and deadly pharaohs with nightmarish powers await.

The Equinox event zone is for players of any level, where old friends and new friends alike can come together and partake in epic battles against increasingly challenging bosses. But this place of frightening beauty isn’t just for the combat driven. With its numerous quests and opportunities to earn an abundance of exotic treats and rewards, the Oases of Anuk’Amon offers something for everyone. Players can also look forward to an array of stunning desert-themed outfits to choose from, as well as a number of exciting new pets and toys created only for this one-of-a-kind event zone.

New outfits this year include: The Pharoah’s Headdress, The Circlet of the Pharoah, The Nomad of the Night, and The Drifting Nomad. (The Circlet of the Pharaoh and The Drifting Nomad can only be found in-game.) New pets include: The Sankata Companion. And for those of you interested in conjuring up the aura of the equinox to align the sun and moon together in harmony, then you’ll quite enjoy the The Equinox Alignment Trinket toy!

Oh, and let’s not forget increased danger! Sharpen your weapons, grab the largest party of friends you can possibly wrangle up, and get ready to face some newly vamped, and truly evil Pharoahs – Umun, Ranubis, and Okyris – who have all been given new boss scripts and will prove to be the ultimate challenge for you all!

Here, There and Everywhere

To lead a better life
You have to craft your own gear

Sheep, munching the grass that’s so deep
Shearing their fleece is the way to begin
Then you can spin their fleece into cloth without seams

Seems, now what you need are some beams
Add a few fish for a signet of gold
Now you grow bold and turn to the fiery forge

You hit the anvil hard
And the pigs turn into powder it’s a wondrous art
But you are not finished, it’s the

Hardest part, ’cause you need scales tough and bright
Just find the monsters that drop the right kind
Keeping in mind – to get them you have to fight

You turn the spinning wheel
And a robe appears it seems to be as hard as steel
Just a touch of runes to get

A perfect deal, just put it on and you’ll feel
You are a hero, you’re mighty and proud
Shouting out loud “I crafted my first own gear!”

You’ll wear your gear everywhere
Here, there and everywhere

Perhaps one of the most exciting things about this patch is that we have at last solved the problem of Rebirthing and Gear. Previously, upon performing a rebirth, your characters would lose the enchantments of their high level gear. Not anymore. We took all of your feedback – which was SO appreciated – and believe we now have a solution.

We have introduced a new line of magical gear called ‘Enchanted Gear.’ When equipped, the enchantments on these items will transfer from the gear directly onto your character, where they will permanently stay. From the moment you put on the gear, your character will forever be infused with, for example, Yorick’s Fervor, or Winged Speed, or Fleet Feet, or Light Footed, or Increased Swim Speed. You can take the gear on and off as much as you like and it will make no difference – the enchantments will remain upon your character.

We’ve also created a number of special new enchantments on some stylish new gear as well. You’ll find that Marat’s Bracers contain the ‘Strength of Marat’ – all damage and healing dealt is increased by 5%. Voltan’s Belt of Fortitude increases maximum health by 5%. Calypso’s Circlet of Power increases maximum spirit by 5%. Marat’s Ring of Resolution reduces all physical damage taken by 5%. Frederich’s Crafting Apron increases the chance to be refunded Motes of Yorick by 5%. Anabelle’s Market Boots reduce crafting costs by 5%.

Not only have we done a major renovation on the item shop, and included a new preview feature for outfits, not to mention having added a huge assortment of new items, but we’ve also created some amazing new starter packs chock full of some very special things!

These hearty packs contain the ideal necessities for combat loving heroes, and craft loving villagers alike, as well as packs specifically designed for both.

The Legendary Heroes Pack

This one-of-a-kind, immensely powerful pack is not for the faint of heart, but is instead aimed for the mighty heroes of the realm who seek to conquer and destroy all their enemies, and to keep the Seven Realms safe from danger. With this ‘Legendary’ gear, you will run faster, live longer, have increased strength, repel damage, and so much more! Equip yourself with the power of the Four Elders.

The Homeowner’s Pack

Ideal for all you rugged colonizers who long to finally put stakes down in a village, and to transform that dusty plot of land into your own beautiful thriving homestead. This pack will aid you to do just that! Your garden will thrive, your farm animals will be hearty and well fed, and you’ll have the freedom to choose between numerous house styles until the designer in you is satisfied.

The Artificer’s Pack

Feeling crafty? Then look no further! With this ultimate crafter’s pack, you will be equipped with the most valuable tools in the land, which will help you perfect all of your endeavors in the fields of carpentry, cooking, blacksmithing, and tailoring. Tinker and pound away, and watch your efforts multiply, for this pack comes, too, with an enchanted apron and a variety of other magical items, all of which will ensure that you excel in the field of crafting.

The Vanguard’s Pack

Ready to explore and settle within the Seven Realms? Then this pack is a must for first time villagers and heroes alike! With enchanted gear and potions that will increase your speed and strength, as well as aid you in your crafting pursuits, this pack will also ensure that you do it all in unique colorful style, and with your own personal pet to boot!

Player: TubaDave
Server: US 1
Class: Priest

Our ace volunteer reporter, Puzzler, from US 1, is back at it again. This time she has interviewed TubaDave! Thanks, Puzzler and Dave!

What was your first video/computer game you have played? OK, well, the first video Game I ever played was PAC MAN. It was a small electronic console that ran on batteries. I used so many batteries to play it, my dad took me to see his friend who put an electronic jack and made it so it could run when plugged in!

Favorite vegetable? Funny you should ask what my favorite vegetable is, as it is the WATERMELON! I find that many people think a watermelon being so sweet and delicious makes it a fruit, but it is part of the same family as cucumbers and squash! I guess it is more of a fregetable….

Favorite zone in the game? Favorite zone in the game is the one where my friends are running around having a good time! However, Sugar Sweet Summit with all its delectable sweets and goodies, hmmm. I just wish we could have eaten the chocolate…

What was the last compliment you have received? The last compliment I received was from a fellow priest player in game that said: “I really enjoyed watching you run.” It was in reference to a level 30 elder run where two different parties were going to kill Gloomspar. No one has ever said that to me before.

What is something no one in V&H knows about you? Oh, a secret that no one in V&H knows about me…. well, my guild knows most of my secrets… But even they might not know that 2 1/2 years ago I ran a half marathon in several feet of snow in the mountains behind my house!

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 objects would you take with you? (Would you survive, you think?) Three things for a deserted Island, ohh, that is easy! I would take a sturdy knife, useful for hunting, gathering and defense. A sturdy woman, so we could breed like rabbits and start our own commune… I’d call it plentiful… and a sturdy boat, just in case we changed our minds!

What’s your favorite part of the game- gathering, fighting, contests, working in groups, eating pie, etc? My favorite part of the game is grabbing the milk drops from underneath everyone’s noses! 😉 I really enjoy helping new players, answering questions and watching my guildies “Firefart” when they level up! *winks at BoxySister.

Would you rather live forever in Shiverspine OR in Blackfury Gorge? Why? Well, since I am from Canada, I have the winters beat! Shiver is a great place to ski and baord in game, Love going there for the lvl 40 elder runs!

If you could tell everyone in the world one thing, what would you tell them? One thing… It would be that we as humans are lovely and can be loved not because of what we do, or any achievements we can accomplish; it is in that we all fail, are vulnerable and make mistakes. That is why we are lovely and can be loved.

What would you do if you won the lottery? Funny, for my birthday I buy myself a few lottery tickets, the only time of year I buy them. If I won, I would invest in Canadian Real estate. It is a worthwhile investment that gives great positive cash flow. I have already bought two town houses, and a farm.. and would love to keep buying more! Slum lord Tuba!

The Equinox build is exotic, and allows us to roam an expansive desert (albeit virtually) under a gorgeous blue sky, where we can trek up and down a sea of endless dunes, clad in our billowing robes. So this build got the Otters and Neonga thinking about some of their own favorite desert-themed films and books, which conjure up similar images of scorching adventure and the sights, sounds and feelings of a desert.

So just for fun, here is a list of all the team members’ personal picks for their favorite film featuring a desert in it, and their favorite book or short story featuring a desert in it.

Ivar:
Film = Star Wars
Short Story = The Veldt by Ray Bradbury

Thorsten:
Film = Lawrence of Arabia
Book = Gertrude Bell: Queen of the Desert, Shaper of Nations by Georgina Howell

Ryan:
Film = The Mummy
Book = Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn

Chris:
Film = Aladdin
Book = none

Damon:
Film = Lawrence of Arabia
Short Story = The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber by Ernest Hemingway

Liam:
Film = Shane
Book = Dune by Frank Herbert

Sarah:
Film = Gallipoli
Book = The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles

Cameron:
Film = The Mummy Returns
Book = The Stormlight Archives by Brandon Sanderson