Once planned as harbourage for ore prospectors and mercenary troops, the "Obsidian Stronghold" high above the Canyon has been expanded regularly with defensive fortifications in the vicinity. Thanks to a glorious victory, huge city walls have been built and thus, the Obsidian Stronghold is one of the largest towns of Taboreas today.

No less historically significant is the nearby "Great Mine" where inhabitants suspect large ore deposits. However, over the time dangerous lizards and scorpions have lodged themselves therein. The Dustdevil Canyon is also known for its two barbarian tribes. Although both are living in camps, they could hardly be more different in all other aspects. While the people of the "Kashaka" reveres the earth and responds open mindedly to strangers, the second barbarian tribe, which worships the falcon totem, reacts aggressively on arriving adventurers. More mysterious places like the "Flooded Ruins" or the "Colossal Palace" are described in a detailed game design document.

We had warm areas with blooming meadows, deep forests with mystical backgrounds and icy tundra’s with their snowy and dangerous mountains. Compared to the other zones, “Dustdevil Canyon” is dominated by the sun, which by its steady presence has turned this place into a red desert. But even with these temperatures, life exists and the history of this area is no less impressive.

The “Dustdevil Canyon”

The Canyon is split into an upper and lower part half by the river Ikaoils, which in the old language means “snake path”. The hawk totem worshipping settlement “Stormreach” has lived here for a very long time. This area is known for its presence of the “Might of Wind”. A highly evolved nation lived here during the time of the old Realms. The ruler of this nation was obsessed in further advancing the use the rune stones. With their abilities they used the ample available mystical power of the wind.

The “Obsidian Stronghold”

About 40 years ago a trading company for steel erected their outpost in the Dustdevil Canyon. At the beginning this outpost was only a small settlement to ensure room for the ore prospectors and mercenaries which protected the caravans. Later they built defensive fortifications all around the settlement due to their encounters with “Storm Reach”.

In succession to a glorious victory over the warriors of “Stormreach” and their banishment from this side of the Valley, their leader erected a real city wall in remembrance to this victory. Using this basis they extended their Stronghold step by step. Since the company had to fight back barbarians, protect the streets and outposts in the Ystra-Highlands, they began to train excellent mercenaries.

The “Great Mine”

Near the “Obsidian Stronghold” one can find a mine which was created by humans. At firat the surface was rich with ore deposits, which lead later to the digging of the “Great Tunnel”, the “South-west Tunnel” and the southern “Slanting Tunnel”. Rich ore deposits can still be found, although it may be difficult to get to since lizards and spiders have now made these tunnels their new home.

The “Kal-Turok Burrow”

When the accident at the “Tower of the Seal” took place, the surface of Dustdevil Canyon transformed and many buildings were buried beneath the earth. When this happened many creatures died that still lived in the demon dwellings, only a few monsters with inorganic structures survived. Except for one other group, these were the creatures called “Human Ants”. The “Order of the Dark Glory” felt that these Ant People were monsters which only represented danger for the mine. This feeling counted especially toward the Ant soldiers who came to the surface in their search for food and to hunt edible living beings. They saw humans as potential food and were therefore extremely dangerous.

“The Red Valley and the Plateau of Delicts”

The name “Plateau of Delicts” came through the conflict between “Storm reach” and the “Order” and the many battles they had here. Since great heroes fought on both sides, the plateau is also called “Battleground of Heroes“. The name “Red Valley” came to be through the iron ore within the rocks, which slowly rusted and therefore started to dye the walls red. Another story goes back to the time of the encounters between Storm Reach and the Order. Both sides did not wish to retreat and instead slaughtered each other without mercy, which covered the entire valley in blood.

“Camp Kashaka”

Camp Kashaka lies at the entrance to the Falconscar. Back then the population of Storm Reach used this for their sacrifices. Two years ago a few unarmed barbarians were slain by a brigade of the Order of the Dark Glory, which caused an uproar within Storm Reach. But the chief of the time Chailik, did not wish to wage open war against the Obsidian Stronghold. Due to this decision disputes erupted and the first warrior of the clan took a bunch of people to the tent of their chief, demanding from him to lead them to battle.

“Storm Reach”

The settlement of Storm Reach consists of a Clan of barbarians, who worship the falcon totem. They believe that they inherited the power of the wind elementals and for this reason they feel responsible to help the ghosts that guard the hidden secrets here. They have been living here since the destruction of the Old Realms, far away from the rest of the world.

“Hawk Cliff”

Hawk Cliff is unbelievably high. If one looks upward to the top of Hawk Cliff, it would seem that the only way to reach the top is to fly like a bird, hence the name Hawk Cliff. This is also a common resting place of the Harpy. The inhabitants of Storm Reach believe it to be a place of great importance. The local tribe worships the Hawk Totem and they believe the Harpies are people of the wind soul.

“Colossal Palace”

The colossal palace is an ancient relic which lies beneath the earth. This was originally a demon stronghold, but was teleported into the interior of the mountain with a magic ritual by mistake during the great exile. Its existence was completely forgotten until the Order of the Dark Glory stumbled upon it while working in a pit.

“The flooded ruins”

During ancient times, the Kalin Shrine was one of the seal towers. Even at that time it was regarded as an ancient relic, which was believed to help prevent the demons from spying. The humans then secretly began to build this seal tower underground. In the legends of Storm Reach this place was described as the sunken palace, and was said to be where the “Sea Kings” dwell. When people go fishing here, it is common practice to kneel down and pray in the direction of the shrine to ask the Sea King to give them food and grant them passage to the lake.

With an extensive range of features Runes of Magic prepares to redefine the standard of free-to-play MMO games. Right from the launch Runes of Magic will convey its absorbing story in over 600 quests embedded in an atmospheric world. Players can choose from six main classes. Combined with a secondary class they dispose of 36 individual character classes over all. All characters possess unique skills with impressive combo attacks and can use mounts in the later stages of game play. A particularly attractive feature for guilds and players is the possibility to arrange their own virtual homes with individual furnishing. Thanks to an extensive crafting and reputation system, thrilling PVP as well as demanding dungeons and boss-monsters, no wishes remain unsatisfied. The Taiwanese developer Runewaker has developed Runes of Magic according to western MMO standards within a time frame of three years. The studio will provide new challenges for players every three to four months with free add-ons and updates.

Features:

• Free2play, no monthly fees, free download
• Dual class system with switchable primary and secondary classes
• Enthralling background story
• Already over 600 quests and level comprehensive quest series on launch
• Instanced and persistent dungeons
• Individually developed skills and spells
• Armor sets with special bonuses
• Dynamic item system: Upgrades with hundreds of runes
• Activatable PvP system (Player vs. Player duels)
• Epic crafting system with the possibility to improve existing items
• Individual coloring of clothes and armor
• Housing: personalization with individual furniture for players and guilds
• Special zones for guild houses
• Reputation system
• Scalable user interface based on the users flavor (development of own add-ons possible)
• In-game map and radar system to find dealers, resources and quests easily
• Auction house: auction and purchase items
• Teleporting possibilities per runes
• Different and unique mounts
• Controlling with mouse (point & click) and keyboard (WASD or arrow keys) possible

MMO fans can find a registration form for the newsletter on the official teaser site.

The German version will come to light even before Christmas 2008, shortly there after an English version will be released.

Frogster Interactive Pictures AG strives to release both the European-English version and the American version at the same time. Concerning the US version Frogster currently looking for a qualified US-Publisher.

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