Microsoft Games Archive/Dream Event Contest

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Related topics: The Asheron's Call "Dream Event" Contest (Microsoft Zone), Dream Event Contest Winners (Microsoft Zone)

Original Link (now dead) - http://www.microsoft.com/games/zone/asheronscall/dreamevent_winners.asp

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Dream Event Contest


From Nov 13 to Dec 8, Microsoft ran the "Asheron’s Call "Dream Event" Contest and asked players to create and submit an event scenario based on "Asheron’s Call". Entries were judged based upon creativity, use of Asheron’s Call Backstory and ability to impact players of all experience levels.

"It was very enjoyable to see all the ideas that the players had out there. "When the watchful stars turn round" captured one of the common interests we saw in some of submissions, the use of the moons to draw havoc on Dereth." - Ken Karl (Asheron's Call Program Manager)

Thanks go to all who participated!

Winner
Name: Brent Schmidt
Location: Delaware
Entry from: Crossroads of Dereth
Title: When the watchful stars turn round
Prize: One year of free Asheron's Call

"When the Watchful Stars Turn Round" - When the twin moons of Rezarel and Albarel align, the long-dead walk again. Meet and speak with some of Dereth's most adored heroes and reviled villains such as Thorsten Cragstone and Wardiel and embark on new quests of their making.

"When the watchful stars turn round" really showed a clear understanding of AC backstory. The event was able to start with a well established backstory and come up with an event the proved to be very creative and appealing to all levels. This is not easy to do. While most events were able to capture one or two of the criterias, we felt that "When the watchful stars turn round" was able to clearly capture all three judging criterias and bring together a very interesting twist on current lore." - Ken Karl

1st Runner up
Name: D. Matthew Williams
Location: California
Entry from: AC Stratics
Prize: Six months of free Asheron's Call

A tragic love-story gone awry. When the Enchanter Archibald lost his love Moira in the final battle against the Olthoi Queen, his grief drove him mad. Now he has returned to Dereth in his Sky Fortress, commanding an army of "organic" golems, demanding the return of his dead love, or else he will destroy the land.

2nd Runner up
Name: Andrew Goodman
Location: Virginia
Entry from: AC Vault
Prize: One month of free Asheron's Call

The Virindi have gathered up the remains of the Soul Crystals and have begun experimenting on them. The result is 3 machines that have begun draining the very life-essence of Dereth. The inhabitants of Dereth must band together to destroy the machines, or else watch their world whither away to nothing.

Entry Details

WINNER
Title: When the Watchful Stars Turn Round

Story: It is said in some ancient texts that when Rezarel eclipses Albarel a strange interaction happens between these two moons and the mana currents of the planet. It is said that during these times, echoes of those long dead can appear, some conscious of their fate, while others seem to act out their dying moments or worst fears. Such an eclipse hasnt been seen in millenniums, but studies of the skies over Dereth seem to indicate that one is coming soon.

Goal: Celebrate the quality that makes Asheron's Call unique: it's rich and well developed lore.

Scenarios: To accomplish the goal of relating more of the game's lore, ghosts or echoes of deceased characters would appear in game. These could be entitled "scenarios" and it is impossible to relate the number of unique scenarios that could be used. Each scenario would be related to the game's lore and could have quests tied to them, or could simply provide an interesting site for the players. Any bit of lore could be used, allowing the event to be very free form. Once the event is over, the land would return to its' original state.

Scenario Suggestions: Any of these ideas could be expanded into quests.

  • The bar around Celcynd the Dour filled with those he couldn't save.
  • Leikotha haunted by the echo of her daughter and Nerash.
  • The echo of pre-Shadow Hamud visiting his current self.
  • Wardiel appearing where he fell in Lytelthorpe.
  • Jaera appearing where she fell at the Battle of Ayn Tayn.
  • Kelderam visiting the Cathedral of Ithaenc.

Quest Suggestions: These are just a few ideas of what could be added.

  • Lower Level: Thorsten Cragstone would appear near his tomb in the Underground City. He would explain that his tomb had been robbed and his helm stolen.

  • Mid Level: Sir Joffre Tremblant and his party of adventurers could appear at their gravesites at the entrance to Frore. Sir Joffre could request the players to find a note he wrote to Lady Tallial and return it to her. While adventuring in the dungeon, players would have to fight the echoes of the Council of Three and Frisirth. When given the letter, Lady Tallial will give the player Sir Joffre's staff, saying it was given to her long ago by a party of adventurers.

  • Higher Level: Due to the interactions of the moons and the twisted mana flows around this region, the exact center of the Obsidian Plains is changed to how it appeared before the explosion. The Jailne Lycenum would appear surrounded by greenery and trees, with echoes of each member of the Council of Five standing within and an almost complete Array within it's center. The quest through here would be hints of new spells. The Council would say the words and mimic the actions of new spells, and the players would then need to research them based on what they see.
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