Nakties Karys of Istaria

Biped warrior adventures in vast world of Istaria.

Author: Lithuanian

Yesterday started with Topaz and Jade golem killing. It was a long and sometimes grindy task: come to the field, find nearest free golem, kill it, take loot and repeat step 1. Experience was little, but it was more fun than experience. After I became bored with level 69 Topaz golems, I went to Jade golems (lvl.77-79).

These proved to be better enemies. Trophies dropped not too often, but still decent. I spent some hours with them, killing anyone in sight, sometimes getting into fighting 2 golems. Finally, when I had only some 6000 xp left to magic level 71, I just teleported to Lerena island, killed one Sand Scarab harvester and voila - level 71.

Then it was time for 430 Sand Scarab trophies and, should those be not enough , I had 10 Platinium boulder golem fragments. However, 400 trophies were enough to reach level 76. Then, I used trophies to almost reach level 77.

Chat congratulated me on such jet-levelling. I gained new abilities as Shaman, starting with better curses (like Decay), ending with very positive (Group Detoxify - removes enemy curses from all the group). And then I just had some talks in the chat. One player asked about trophies and this was where I could be of some use (as I depend on them): which monsters are easier to fight, which ones drops trophies and which are very greedy.

I also had an extensive talk about multiclassing since sometimes it disappoints me. It turned out that one has to end several combat schools to be effective fighter. it's not about Cleric and Warrior only.

At the end of the day I felt I did everything I could for one day - so just contributed to our Guild plot in Bristugo. It was a simple task, but within this week I will finish another (tier 1) Guildhouse and maybe some tents.

The day was great: I levelled, I was a bit usefull and I had fun. What more could one ask from MMORPG?

Yesterday I had some 1,5 hours to play Istaria, it was night and I had to take some sleep.

Of course, I wanted hunt (need to rush to lvl.71!) and people organized Son of Gigaroth hunt. Unfortunately, SoG (as we call it) was hiding, people decided to "wait for some 2,5 hours" which i could not afford. Tried to hunt Fiyakis - and ran into several very strong monsters. Had to recall home.

In Bristugo I notived our plot stands still: no one adds no resources. Well, it could be a chance for me to build at least basic structures like tents (used to store small amounts of stuff) and tier 1 Guildhouse.

I also noticed, during past weeks, that our famous Player A, the one who caused so many problems up to his ban from chat, has returned. He comes to chat, say no word and soon disappears. We have almost forgotten him and his begging.

So the day ended without doing anything serious. I hope today I will reach level 71 and then - very quickly - lvl.75. If being tired, I would contribute to plots as long as I my skills allow.

First part of playing Istaria yesterday was quite grindy: to stand amongs Sand Scarabs, kill everyone and wait untill level 66. Bearing in mind that one level means 400.000 xp and all but 3 scarabs will give some 2000 xp...it was a bit long untill I saw magic "You have advanced to level 66 in Shaman school!".

I returned to Bristugo and sold Scarabs' drops for some 132 silver coins. Later, took my trophies out of Guildhouse and went to Kirasanct to exchange them into experience and coins. And then it began: I advanced to level 69 with trophies only. Then I took my way to visit Cobalt golems. They were kinf enough to offer me their leader, named golem Isotope, to kill...and gain decent xp. However, Cobalt golems were greedy enough and dropped trophies very rarely. I abandoned them and went to Topaz golems.

These were not greedy: i  fact, dropped trophies often as well as sellable items. I fought them untill I gained level 70 (needed to kill at least 30 of them) and collected 25, if not 30, trophies. Then it was time to go to Kirasanct and exchange trophies into xp again. Result: some 30% advancement.

It was a bit late to take long fight for xp. Player T. met me and donated quality shield and weapon (looks like he was impressed how quickly his vault was built).

And then I went to relax to New Trismus. I observed what other people were doing, then went to kill level 1 grulets. Thought about killing innocent Cows, but other players asked to spare them. Ok, spared them for one day.

Within this levelling up I advanced some of abilities and it was fun to test them on monsters. I casted Ruin and enemy took some damage over a time; I casted Decay and enemy took some damage over time too; I managed to hit with Soul Link and some health from enemy was transferred to me. And finally, I casted various spells that lessened enemy's resistance to my attacks. Those weakened, any mob was easy to kill: that's the way Shaman fights.

The day was over, I was very satisfied and looking forward for today: after maintenance, I will use my ~430 trophies for level 71-76.

My combat and crafting adventures in Istaria continues.

I spent almost all time I had with levelling Shaman. Starting with level 60, I soon became lvl.61 and then it was a time to visit Trophie hunter in Dralk. My not so large set of trophies meant I advance almost to lvl.62. Then did one quest for Dralk Town Marshal. it was about killing 10 Obsidian golems and the reward was some 11 silver coins...but no xp. I went to one place I knew I would receive quest...but the quest was too short: I clicked on it and it was complete.

Then I returned to my favourite Sand Scarabs and their elder brothers - Sand Scarab Harvesters, all lvl. 70-79. It was fun to level killing them: Sand scarabs give good xp (some 2000 points for Scarab and 7000-8500 points for Harvester), drop trophies and sellable items. I have a total of some 350 their trophies collected: would be a nice thing to exchange it into xp and coins.

However, levelling this way is slow. 8000 xp is good, but one level means some 350-400.000 xp. Tried to level on Mithril golems (lvl.91), but this was no good - hard to kill and only 9000 xp to get. Finally, asked Player S. to help me with fighting.

We went to Eastern Deadlands and tried to kill lvl.118-120 Fiyakis. They offered some 12.000 xp and initially everything was good. Later problems began. We noticed one Dragon near us. Well, it's not a  problem, Deadlands are big and there are enough Fiyakis for everyone. However, Dragon asked/demanded us to relocate "to the other side of the wall". We did, knowing it was dangerous for us. Result: Player S. killed one time, escaped one time; I killed two times and third time I just quit. However, that Dragon was not satisfied almost commanding us to leave. It was my first time I met an unfriendly Dragon. After all, Deadlands are big, there are enough enemies for everyone and we were staying at a relatively safe place. We left, however.

I gained xp within this rather short hunt and yesterday became Shaman lvl.65. Now i have some 5 levels to go...and then all Sand Scarabs trophies will jet-level me to lvl.75.

To rest, I made some crafting. Guildhouse in Bristugo was finished, so I just constructed Saris Tiny Hut: a house in Saris style. Finishing this, I thought my construction was over. Well, it wasn't.

Plot in Bristugo with vault and consigner was gone: as far as I remember it was owned by the same not too friendly Dragon I met in Deadlands. Now plots have no owner at all. The main problem is, that Vault has gone. it slows down my construction operations - therefore I went to aid to Player's T. vault.

It took almost all day of running, harvesting resources, making stuff from them, sometimes changing school and reverting changes...But at the end of the day the Vault was almost finished. All that remains is "Vault hiring permit" that is sold for some 125 silver coins (and I do expect owner to buy it...). Profit: advanced Enchanter by some 1,5 levels.

Then I felt just tired from killing and adding materials. Went to New Trismus just to rest, killing level 3 Grulets and watching new players. Offered my help to some lvl. 7-9 players, but they said they did not need it. Well, I hope they will ask me if they need any support, be it armor, weapons, tools, combat support or just advice.

Weekend was great one. Shaman grows up, crafting grows up, I am usefull to other people  and I just having fun in Istaria.

Yesterday's crafting was virtually a sign to stop crafting. I made a full load of flax tapestries and bolts, arrived to Bristugo to add them...only to found they were already added by someone. And the owner was working on Elm and Slate resources. Guildhouse is at 75% completed.

That meant it was time to change armor and go level up Shaman. I went to snowy Mahagra, found trainer (for some reason Shaman trainer stands alone on the very roof of the main building) and went to fight lvl.79 Sand beetle harvesters (me being lvl.60).

Due to instant skyping with a friend, I did not advance much. The only positive things were Sand beetle trophies: these will be very handy when I will reach level 71. And so far my advancement is a bit slow: only 9000 xp for one harvester. Bearing in mind that I need some 340.000 xp for one level, it's a bit slow.

Player D. offered to guide me to some easy mobs - but things went a bit wrong since the begining. I was thinking those mobs patrol area near Eastern Deadlands (the most hard Deadlands in Istaria). To my surprise, Player D. (it's good to be Dragon!) just flew above various hordes of Blight creatures heading me to the Deadlands. I avoided monsters as much as I could, at level 60 Shaman I could offer little resistance, since my lvl.100 Cleric was killed very easily. However, soon I was surrounded, stunned...and I was lucky to recall. After that - returned to my Sand beetle harvesters once again.

My fight was interesting one: I had to remember Shaman fight, how he steals everything from enemies, then curses them and finishes already weakened enemy.  The only thing I have to figure out are enemies: they should be easy to kill and give as much xp as possible. With them, I will have just to count corpses of dead monsters and use trophies when the time is right.

My days in istaria are bright once again. I will fight some 10 levels; I will craft if I am tired from fighting - and I will help those who will need my help. Life is just good once again.

The day was full of surprises.

Player M., that had held our plot in Bristugo is no longer owner of that plot: sold it to some big Dragon. I saw hour one additional Guildhouse and several silos were demolished. The simply disappeared. Soon,other structures were demolished too. In their place Dragon (and his Guild?) began building vault and consigner. Everything was built almost in lightspeed.

The fact that Guildhouse was sold left my vault overflooded: everything I stored there was returned to my vault. Trophies. Components. Building materials. I had to delete some of them - but thanks to God, I have my trophies back and can finally plan advancing Shaman from level 60 to level 100.

Next plot in Bristugo was demolished too. It had Vault, Expert Blacksmith shop, Expert Alchemist shop and several tier 4 silos. As I left, plot was empty: well, I hope new owner is going to construct something there.

Another plot in Heather is being deconstructed too, losing several Expert level structures.

I continued aiding our new Guildhouse in Bristugo, now it is almost 70% done. Only grinding part remains - part where I am expected to bring nearly 300 construction materials. On this plot I also noticed medium Vault, tiny Saris house and 1 tent.

I was asked by Player D. about armor - if I had mithril scalemail, but unfortunately I had none. Maybe it is a asign to advance my Armorer to level 98 (from existing level 30s...).

With the completion of our Guildhouse I would finally have place to store trophies - and then will starting jet-level my Shaman. With hundreds of trophies I should be able to do it quickly: use trophies, then kill monsters that offer little resistance and give decent xp.

Life is starting to be shiny again. Once again, I will pick up my armor and weapons and return to forgotten battlefields to slain everything I met. Once again, I will test my combined Cleric and Shaman abilities.

Adventures with crafting are going on and on...

Initially it was Player T with his Guildhouse. he just set up a tier 2 Guildhouse. Well, it is a wast building that needed almost 20 type of resources from every building school. Numbers differed - from low 50 to big 300. Bearing in mind that I need to help Player D. - I tried to craft resources that contribute to both plots.

I did not wait long: Player D. found a way to finish his Tavern. Solution was simple: when you deconstruct a building in Istaria, you get so-called "Novian resources". So, if your building got 100 slate slabs, you got 50 Novian slate slabs. No matter what your skill is, you may use them on any building that requires slate slabs. The only restriction: you may add Novians to the plot you own. So, Player D. just took Novians, added them and voila - Tavern is finished.

This left me in a curious situation: I was preparing a huge load of Elm bracers for both plot and soon some 30 of them became obsolete. Added bracers - and then went to gather slate.

In snowy Mahagra fields I found one Dragon. He was gathering slate too and was friendly (as are almost all Dragons). He asked me, lvl.100 person, if I needed help (no, I didn't) and later we just talked about resources where to store them and what to do with them. He was kind enough to offer me a load of 2000 slate bricks. I refused. I am lvl.66 Mason and slate is too low for me, I don't get any xp. Those bricks would be great for any lower level crafter. However, such approach is typical for Istaria. If you need tools, there would always be some crafter who would make them for free. If you need resources - someone would have them. Even I was offered huge numbers of certain resources to level up my Carpenter.

Slate was finished and added. Then time has come for primitive Bronze sheetings and jointings. I went to "the town of my youth" - New Trismus and harvested there...and then back to Bristugo.

I levelled up my Enchanter while adding Pale construction stuff to the plot too: gained almost two levels.

Thus the crafting day was over. I left Guildhouse at some 40% completed. There are still many resources required. The only problem is paying. Player T. set up things that if you add stuff, you got paid. Well, I would rather work for idea, for the joy of building apperaring...and if someone does insist on money...well, then for sum big enough to cover teleportation costs. That's all, nothing more nothing less.

And so the day ended. I know, I have to start fighting one day, level up my Shaman, then Druid and other schools to be as good in battlefield as I am in crafting. And I will do this - when I finish those two plots.

This weekend was a crafting one - although with some surprises.

I was helping Player D with his plot - and the plot itself was almost finished. All that remained was a meidum vault. It took lots of time to gather resources and bring them to the plot - yet I did it. Grinding may not be too good, but if it is rewarding - it's pretty ok.

Yes, there was one bug with Player's D. newly built Tavern. There was a Stoneworking shop previously (was demolished though). However, Stoneworking machines remained and no Tavern keeper could be installed. Player D. had to demolish Tavern and start anew.

That meant more grinding for me. part of this job was finished by Player D. himself (some 40%), while remaining stuff is to be done by me.

At the same time Player S. appeared and asked if I can help her to gather resources - another hundreds of them. I agreed. Well, Player T. showed up and told he bought a plot in Bristugo. Of course, it was up to me to help him with the plot. He starts with tier 2 Guildhouse that does require lots of resources. I started with very easy ones (Elm stuff, just because there are elm trees near Bristugo). Guildhouse (GH, as we call it) is of highest priority now.

Which leaves me divided into Player's D. tavern and vault; Player's S. lair; Player's T. plot. Some resources can be shared amongst Players D. ir T. Some not. However, I am already satisfied with it: it was me that built most of Player's D. plot. It will be me that will contribute to Player's T. plot. And when those plots are finished, I will start helping other plots, be it Bristugo or Dalimond.

Of course, crafting means I have abandoned fighting and my Shaman longs for combat against monsters; and my Cleric awaits when he will be able to use some Shaman abilities. That will be, when I finish with most of crafting.

Not so bright news: one experienced player quits Istaria due to conflicts between role-play and real-life relations. Everyone does understand real life must prevail, but still a pity. Good player lost is a loss even to MMORPG that has millions of subscribers.

Overall, weekend was good and busy. I'm glad it was such.

A new crafting day. First of all, re-visited Mahagra's settlement of Snowfall. It is the best place to harvest slate - so I did some work there, making slate construction blocks and keystones, only to add them to Player's D. plot. No experience for that - just fun.

And then - up to magic essence. So far I am working with low tier Pale essence. This time I did miscalculate: thought I needed some 90 pale essence spheres, while structure required about 60. I left some of them in one silo: maybe someone later will make any use of them.

After I finish one structure at Player's D. plot, I will finally be free to level up my building schools: Mason (lvl.66), Carpenter (lvl.95), Weaver (some lvl.30s), Enchanter (lvl.32?). And later - later up to fighting and growing up my Shaman, after that - Druid.

Thus the day ended. I was usefull once again, I gained some xp...and looking forward to grow faster and be more usefull.

Trandalar's Acul: a snowy desert, recently revamped and enriched with snowy oaks. The place where I went to gather lots of steel for Player's D. plot. Yes, I was sceptic a bit...but the revamp was positive one. Of course, motherloads of dark iron are guarded...but there are lots of (and I mean lots of) normal and rich node so that I could harvest tens of thousands of ore without taking any risk.

I was lucky enough to see some empty public silos and use them to store stuff.  Soon, all 200 steel constuction sheetings and 80 stell construction jointings were made and safely added to Player's D. medium vault.

I also tried to locate Cobalt, but to no result. There was one very good plot at Shelter pass, near cobalt fields...and now it's no more, just a fountain. A pity. It made cobalt harvesting very problematic one.

Player D. has finally noticed his Pawnbroker store has no entrance...and is rebuilding it.

At the end of the day I realised I did not want to grind Kenaf (plot needed some 200 units of Kenaf construction stuff), so just went to relax to New Trismus. I stood in the middle of level 3 Grulets and just killed them all with tier 1 Fire strike. At least some relax...

When I finish with (grindy) Player's D. plot - I will switch to levelling up Carpenter (last 5 levels are the hardest ones), Mason...and Enchanter.

So far life is good in istaria.