With the return of the (occasionally) sunny weather, the Coinlords decided it was time to invest in the revivification and beautification of Stormreach’s Harbor. Observant citizens may notice the refurbishing of several major hubs of foot traffic, and an overall improvement in the quality of our docks and streets.

The extent of the rot damage to the old piers and lack of accessible stairways leading out of the waves was very inconvenient to Xen’drik visitors and residents. So, to make the harbor a safer place for boats and pedestrians alike, decaying decks have been replaced or repaired, more access stairs to the water have been added, and the Leaky Dinghy’s levitation spells were renewed.  But the real excitement is that the pier now features solid earth-work docks, a perfect place for parties, weddings, or other social occasions!

With help from the Coin Lords, the Jorn family has finally relocated their characteristic family crypt to the base of the Harbor Cliff. Berne Jorn commented that it was always meant to be built down there. Spiders from the previous location were largely exterminated, but it appears the Harbor Cliff also suffers from infestations. Berne Jorn is still seeking assistance cleaning out the vermin.

Some much-needed repairs have also been made to the walkway leading up the Harbor’s cliff face, including the addition of boardwalks along the cliff top. You can now bring your date to the Harbor Cliff to enjoy the spectacular view from secure footing, even in wet weather

Some of our esteemed residents have taken the opportunity to relocate business and residences onto the newly refurbished and expensive cliff-top real-estate, including Miller Tarrigan and “Eyegouger” McGeorge – though rumor has it that Tarrigan is already having trouble with the increased rent, and McGeorge brought his basement woes with him.

The Founder’s Commemorative Fountain, often believed to have been built too far off the beaten track, has been relocated to the revamped Harbormaster’s Plaza! New construction has opened up the view all the way from the Plaza to Philosopher’s Row, which has grown up from its grubby bohemian roots into a posh (and spendy) shopping plaza complete with sunken garden. New additions to the Row include a grand reopening of the Hammer and Chain, as well as a branch of the House Kundarak Bank.  The Bank is taking the opportunity to test a new approach to customer service: the Automatic Teller Dwarf. You can now open an account without the bother of opening those heavy oak doors.

The presence of kobold Goldscuttle in Philosopher’s Row has continued to irritate some of the more moneyed residents of the area, but the Coin Lords have made it be known that he is under their protection. An anonymous Coin Lord indicated that Goldscuttle pays his rent on time, provides a needed service, and doesn’t smell too strongly of dead fish.  The same lukewarm kindness has not been extended to other well-behaved kobold occupants of the city, however. Through the use of our Kobold catch-and-release program, some kobolds have been evicted from the Aspirant’s Corner sewers, including kobold Scrag, who applied for residency for his family in Philosopher’s Row. Sadly, he was turned down, and history has repeated itself: he and his wife and brood are once again at risk of another eviction from a sewer located in the Warehouse District.

Philver Sharpwood has relocated his warehouse to the Plaza in an attempt to thwart the Quickfoot gang, but apparently even the improved Plaza security has not been enough to deter all Harbor gang violence.

It isn’t yet known what the Coin Lords are up to behind the closed doors to Aspirant’s Corner, but if upcoming changes to the rest of the Harbor are any indication, it’ll be something good.  As for the rest of Stormreach’s Harbor, if you don’t look too deeply into the dimly-lit corners, the Coinlords' changes are a shining improvement to what used to be an inhospitable maze of tight alleyways. We hope you enjoy the Stormreach Harbor improvements!

Pretty interesting, huh?  Yup.  No screenshots or images were posted, so I guess we'll have to stay tuned.  Also, Eldorudo hinted on the ddo.com boards today that something "cool" might be in DDO's future!  No further hints were given, but the comment was made in a discussion thread suggesting a cold-climate-based area, so that's cool news as well!

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Where ya from?!?!

I've stumbled across a widget for the web site that shows where people are visiting the site from!  It's a cool little map thing.  I've always known that DDOcast was checked out the world over, and now I've got proof! 

You can see the map on the bottom of the sidebar to the right.  Cool!

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New Splash Screen!

Here's the latest splash screen:

     

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I'm planning to get up Adan Maskery's latest story bit tomorrow, so check back on Friday for that.  Also, looks like this weekend's show is going to be quite cool!  Buzzsaw got the chance to chat with Tolero!  I haven't been able to listen to it yet, but it sounds like there's some really cool stuff in it.  Stay tuned!

Jerry