Last Ascension we added two new mechanics into the mix: Rotating Nodes and Prime Assaults. This year we're further expanding the mechanics to make the contest more dynamic and challenging. We will be testing all these changes with you from Friday onwards on my test server. What's here focuses on combat but there is one more announcement coming related to additional prizes for those who placed in the challenges and those who do well in but do not win the Ascension.

Rotating Nodes
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This was a beneficial change and is staying as implemented. As a refresher, Kethuru will be focusing his attention on one Astral Sphere at a time and the Sealbearers have to bring the staff to the node on that sphere to start accruing points. See the original announcement for the details (Announce #3170).

Prime Assaults
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Last time the heralds of Kethuru found attacking Prime were too powerful, requiring very big groups to hunt for them. We're keeping this mechanic but will be adjusting the heralds to be easier to hunt, while also adjusting their point worth down. You cannot win Ascension just through this and the Sealbearer will need the staff to pass the threshold of 3600 points, but it will remain something to do for those wishing to show support. Putting the corpse in a Seal will add points to the Sealbearer's score and heal a small amount of their insanity (new).

New: Node Effects
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To make fortressing harder Kethuru will be attacking those standing on the node of the correct Astral Sphere (as seen in EVENT STATUS). This will trigger every 2 minutes and do one of two effects:

- Tremors: will move a random amount of people (minimum of one) off the node. Staff Holder will be immune to this effect.
- Winds: will strip shields and briefly stun a random amount of people (minimum of one). Staff Holder is not immune.

New: Movement Limitations
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Kethuru will be exerting his power across Astral during Ascension and interfering with some methods of movement. Cubixes and medallions will not work while on Astral. This means you can get to Astral with them but cannot get off Astral with them instantly. ASTROGLIDE works for everyone during Ascension, and all other ways will still work as well (like ascending to havens). The goal is to prevent limitless instant movement between spheres.

Other
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- EVENT STATUS will display the sphere the staff is on, but not the name of the room anymore
- We are looking to wrap up Report 530 before Ascension
- A wholesale forced movement patch is coming to add safeties against spam to all forced movement skills. They will cost 0.5s of eq/balance when there is no valid target, the loss will not stack.
- HELP ASCENSION has been expanded to explain what Ascension actually entails, what it looks like, and Medallion powers. This will soon be expanded to include information on rotating nodes, etc.

If you have any questions or concerns please message me!

Penned by My hand on the 3rd of Urlachmar, in the year 687 CE.