Turbine's been busy with DDO Unlimited, the new pricing model of Dungeons & Dragons Online that allows players to download the game for free and make purchases of adventure packs, items, and more as optional investments. The good folks at the studio saw fit to send us some screenshots of the Drow race, which you can check out below.

  

  

Turbine has just released a new video and batch of screenshots for the recently launched Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited (DDO Unlimited). The screenshots and video depict the new Ruins of Threnal adventure pack, which is now available to purchase in the DDO Store.
Here's a look at the video highlighting Threnal:

Here are some new screenshots from the Ruins of Threnal:

 

Dungeons & Dragons Online is a Massively Multi-player Online game that brings a fully featured game into the Free-to-Play game space! That's right! The game has re-launched as a fully free-to-play MMORPG! To celebrate the re-launch of this game we've partnered with Turbine on a new contest here at Curse!

We're giving out 5 Point Code Cards each loaded with 1500 Turbine Points! Turbine Point Codes can be used to purchase several upgrades in DDO including:

• Additional Character Slots
• Adventure Packs (Additional Dungeons)
• XP and Buff Potions
• New Classes and Races
• Advanced Gear for Begginers
• Incredible Hirelings

To enter the contest visit the Curse Turbine Contest Page!

If you haven't had a chance to checkout the new DDO Unlimited take a look at ths new  DDO Unlimited Launch Video

Today Turbine has officially re-released Dungeons & Dragons Online as a free to play game under the name Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited. Check out the press release below, or head over to the Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited website to start playing for free!

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WESTWOOD, MA – September 9, 2009 – Turbine, Inc. announced today the launch of Dungeons & Dragons Online®:  Eberron Unlimited™ (DDO Unlimited), a free-to-play massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG) which delivers heart-pounding game play featuring the industry’s best combat system, a massive world with state-of-the-art graphics and gameplay, and a rich set of features that until now could only be found in premium subscription-based MMOs.  DDO Unlimited introduces an innovative new pricing model that allows players to download and play for free, purchasing adventure packs, items, and account services a la carte from the new DDO Store, or to subscribe to get unlimited access to all of the game’s content. Starting today, players can download and play DDO Unlimited for free by visiting http://www.ddo.com.

“Today Turbine changes the way gamers experience their online entertainment by providing them with a choice in how they pay and play for a premium MMO,” said Jim Crowley, CEO of Turbine, Inc.  “The DDO Unlimited Beta program has been a huge success and the initial response to the game from both press and players has been nothing short of phenomenal.  In response, we have already more than doubled our capacity to handle the increased demand.”

“DDO Unlimited is the most innovative, exciting and feature rich MMO to ever hit the free to play market,” said Fernando Paiz, Executive Producer of DDO Unlimited.  “We’ve come a long way since our launch and it has been very rewarding to see the positive response to the game from players and reporters alike.  DDO Unlimited’s future is very bright and we’re already getting more adventures ready to introduce to the game later in the year.”

DDO Unlimited delivers the best combat of any MMO and the most heart-pounding action this side of a keyboard, plus a lot more!

Ø  DDO Unlimited’s New Content & Features – DDO Unlimited delivers a new class, increases the level cap to 96 ranks, introduces new adventure packs including a new 12-player raid, and features major combat improvements.

Ø  The Fiercest Combat of any MMO – DDO Unlimited features an extraordinary heart- pounding combat experience that requires players to fully engage in the battle by relying on their wits and reflexes in real time. No more clicking skills and watching the action from the sideline. 

Ø  Mind-blowing Visuals – Explore a vast and dangerous online world that features the most advanced graphics in the industry and is stuffed with the legendary monsters, glorious treasures, devious traps, mind-bending puzzles and endless adventures from the world’s best known RPG.

Ø  Full-featured MMO – Experience sophisticated systems found only in the best games including auctions, NPC hirelings, arena death matches (Player versus Player), crafting, and powerful social tools for finding a group, forming a guild or planning an epic raid!

Ø  Easier Than Ever! – DDO Unlimited gets you playing in minutes instead of hours, using new proprietary Turbine technology. Creating a new character is incredibly simple with guides and templates that speed you through the process. Features an all-new new player experience that gives gamers their first taste of excitement quickly while teaching them how to play solo or with a group of fellow adventurers. 

DDO Unlimited is based on the world-renowned DUNGEONS & DRAGONS® franchise of  Wizards of the Coast LLC, a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc.® (NYSE: HAS),  under license to Infogrames Entertainment S.A.®  Published by Atari, Inc.®, DDO has been enthusiastically received by many gaming critics, including The New York Times, PC Gamer, Game Informer and many more. For the latest information, please visit www.ddo.com.

About Turbine

Turbine, Inc. is the premier creator and operator of massive, persistent online worlds that foster powerful social gaming communities.  Turbine is the largest privately-held online gaming studio in North America and has created some of the world’s most popular and award-winning online games, including The Lord of the Rings Online™, Dungeons & Dragons Online®: Eberron Unlimited™, and Asheron's Call®.  For more information on Turbine, its products and services please visit www.turbine.com.

About Atari

New York-based Atari, Inc. develops interactive games for all platforms and is one of the largest third-party publishers of interactive entertainment software in the U.S. The Company's 1,000+ titles include hard-core, genre-defining franchises such as The Matrix™ (Enter The Matrix and The Matrix: Path of Neo) and Test Drive®; and mass-market and children's franchises such as Nickelodeon's Blue's Clues™ and Dora the Explorer™, and Dragon Ball Z®. Atari, Inc. is a majority-owned subsidiary of France-based Infogrames Entertainment SA (Euronext - ISIN: FR-0000052573), the largest interactive games publisher in Europe. For more information, visit www.atari.com.

About Hasbro

Hasbro (NYSE: HAS) is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time entertainment products and services, including the design, manufacture and marketing of games and toys ranging from traditional to high-tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the world.

About Wizards of the Coast

Wizards of the Coast LLC, a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS), is the leader in entertaining the lifestyle gamer. The company holds an exclusive patent on trading card games (TCGs) and their method of play and produces the premier trading card game, Magic: The Gathering®, among many other trading card games and family card and board games. Wizards is also a leading publisher of roleplaying games, such as Dungeons & Dragons®, and publisher of fantasy series fiction with numerous New York Times best-sellers. For more information, visit the Wizards of the Coast website at www.wizards.com.

Today Turbine announced the release date for Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited, which is scheduled to go live on August 4th, 2009. Along with this launch announcement, Turbine has also decided to drop the non-disclosure agreement that has been in effect for the beta of DDO Unlimited to this point.

Check out the press release below, and be sure to visit the official Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited website for more information.

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Turbine, Inc. announced today Dungeons & Dragons Online®:  Eberron Unlimited™ (DDO Unlimited), a free digital upgrade for Dungeons & Dragons Online®: Stormreach™ will launch on August 4, 2009 in North America. DDO Unlimited will raise the level cap, introduce a new player class and add major new content, as well as make the game free to play for everyone. The new DDO Unlimited delivers heart-pounding game play featuring the industry’s best combat system, a massive world with state-of-the-art graphics and gameplay, and a rich set of features that until now could only be found only in premium subscription-based MMOs.  DDO Unlimited will introduce an innovative new pricing model that allows players to download and play for free, purchasing adventure packs, items, and account services a la carte from the new DDO Store, or to subscribe to get unlimited access to all of the game’s content.  Turbine will provide DDO VIPs early access to the game beginning August 4, 2009 and will provide free, unlimited access to everyone on August 6, 2009.

“The DDO Unlimited Beta has been a huge success and we want to thank all of our players who have participated to help us make this the best free-to-play game on the market,” said Fernando Paiz, Executive Producer of DDO Unlimited.  “On August 6^th we are going to change what it means to be free-to-play with the most immersive, action-packed and full-featured MMO that provides players with a choice in how they play and pay for the game.”

DDO Unlimited delivers the best combat of any MMO and the most heart-pounding action this side of a keyboard, plus a lot more!

Ø  Brand New Content & Features – DDO Unlimited will deliver a new class – favored soul, increase the level cap, introduce new adventure packs including a new 12-player raid, major combat improvements and more!

Ø  The Fiercest Combat – DDO Unlimited features an extraordinary heart-pounding combat experience that requires players to fully engage in the battle by relying on their wits and reflexes in real time. No more clicking skills and watching the action from the sideline. 

Ø  Mind-blowing Visuals – Explore a vast and dangerous online world that features the most advanced graphics in the industry and is stuffed with the legendary monsters, glorious treasures, devious traps, mind-bending puzzles and endless adventures from the world’s best known RPG.

Ø  Full-featured MMO – Experience sophisticated systems found only in the best games including auctions, NPC hirelings, arena death matches (Player versus Player), crafting, and powerful social tools for finding a group, forming a guild or planning an epic raid!

Ø  Easier Than Ever! – DDO Unlimited gets you playing in minutes instead of hours, using new proprietary Turbine technology. Creating a new character is incredibly simple with guides and templates that speed you through the process. Features an all-new new player experience that gives gamers their first taste of excitement quickly while teaching them how to play solo or with a group of fellow adventurers. 

 

 

An announcement of massive proportions today as Turbine announced that DDO is entering the free-to-play world! This game had originally released as a subscription-based title and has recently made the change to incorporate the DDO store which lets players buy premium dungeon packs, additional character slots, hirelings (hired muscle), potions, character customization and more! The DDO Store is seamlessly integrated into the game play and gives players the option of buying things to enhance gameplay or play the game for free!

Here's the official news release on DDO going F2P:

Turbine has entered the free-to-play market with the unveiling of Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited (DDO Unlimited), making this award-winning game the world’s first free-to-play MMO to offer the quality graphics and robust features previously only available in premium subscription based games. Players can learn more about the game and signup for the Beta program at the new

Turbine’s New Game Offers Players Unlimited Choice!

Features

  Free means Free! – Players download and play DDO Unlimited for free by visiting www.ddo.com and within minutes can be exploring a rich, beautiful and dangerous online world crawling with legendary monsters, glorious treasures, devious traps, mind-bending puzzles and endless adventures from the world’s best known RPG. There is no time limit or level cap on free play.

  Visit the new DDO Store!  -- The DDO Store is loaded with hundreds of convenience items as well as premium dungeon packs, additional character slots, hirelings (hired muscle), potions, character customization and more! The DDO Store is seamlessly integrated into the game play and lets the player identify new and exciting ways to enhance and customize their experience.

Be a DDO VIP! – Players who elect to subscribe to DDO Unlimited will have unlimited access to every premium adventure pack, receive priority server access, 10 character slots, a shared bank slot, and a monthly allotment of 500 Turbine Points to spend in the new DDO Store.

 DDO Unlimited is the award-winning massively multiplayer game with the best combat of any MMO. Entering DDO Unlimited is a snap using Turbine’s new proprietary delivery technology. Now players can download DDO Unlimited in minutes and immediately begin creating their own character to battle through one of gaming’s most immersive online worlds.  Featuring the industry’s most visceral combat system, DDO Unlimited puts players into the heat of battle with full, real-time control over their character’s movement and special attacks. Only DDO Unlimited delivers premium experience for free with many innovative features, including DirectX® 10 graphics, action-based PvE and PvP combat, quests that provide a unique, immersive experience whether you play solo or with a group of friends, and advanced social networking tools that let you participate in a large and vibrant online community.

Dungeons and Dragons Online is celebrating its 3rd Anniversary and to kick it off Senior Producer Kate Paiz is introducing Module 9 and all its glory! Module 9 will add many new features to the game including combining all chat channels, several changes to the bank tab, targeting changes in the combat system, and a new plane of battle!

Here's a snippet of the original post:

 

DDO is celebrating its 3rd Anniversary! As part of the celebration, we're taking a look at some great upcoming Module 9 features with you! Read on for a letter to players from Senior Producer Kate Paiz...

Happy anniversary, DDO! I send big congratulations to the whole community and Turbine team on this, our third anniversary! I’d also like to say a huge thank you to all who play the game, as it is your love of the game that brings it to life and makes what we do as developers so rewarding. It has been a real pleasure working on the game up to this point, and we’ve been able to get so many great things accomplished in the last year – the whole Shavarath invasion storyline, the level cap increase to 16, and of course, the introduction of the Hirelings system! To read a full recap of our 18 free releases (!) to date, please click here. I’d love to know what your favorite feature or content of the last year is – I think I am torn between the amazing tent explosion and the hireling system – even though my main is a cleric, I also always like having a cleric buddy around, just to keep my back covered and to allow me to be a little more battle ready. I love those offensive cleric spells – there’s nothing like a little righteous vengeance!

I wanted to talk a little bit today about some of the features coming out with Module 9. We’ve put a ton of work into Module 9, and as you know, there are features that we can’t talk about yet (but I think we’re closing to announcing soon…) so, in addition to the sneak peeks on the Official Discussions forum, here for your reading pleasure are 5 changes / improvements that are coming in Module 9 (drum roll please):

To start off, we’ve made two changes that have been often requested by our players. The first is the shared bank tab. All subscribers will be able to open their bank, click on the new tab, and place items from your inventory that are bound to account inside this bank tab (bound to character items, mostly raid items, will not be transferable to this tab). Then any other characters on the account can login and pull any of those items into their inventory (note: each bank tab is shard specific – only characters on Argonnessen can reach the Argonnessen shared bank).

The second popular request was to combine the chat channels. In Mod9, all instances of a public area, like the Market, will be routed to the same general tab, and we’ve added an advice and trade channel to each of the public areas as well. You’ll even still be in the public general channel if you enter a dungeon in that area, like the Quickfoot Hideout in the Market. You can customize this in the Options Menu if you don’t want to still hear public chat in the private instance, but the option will now be open to you (and will default to include you in the larger community). This change should help players find groups, get advice and sell things during non-peak hours and just improve overall the general access to other people in the area.

To read the post in its entirety click here!

 

Turbine recently released a brand new and shiny video that depicts the Shavarath storyline surrounding the recent live event that took place in the Stormreach Marketplace.

Dungeons & Dragons Online recently released module seven and is now getting increased focus from the marketing and pr team at Turbine, which should be interesting.

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Are you playing Dungeons & Dragons Online or know someone who does? DDO appear to have a very loyal fanbase, they might not be as many as those playing World of Warcraft, but it's still enough to give them extra attention from Turbine, thoughts on the future of DDO?

One of the highlight for many Dungeons & Dragons Online players is The Weekly Development Activities that Turbine publish once every week, with information on how the development was going and other interesting tidbits of information. Sadly, Turbine recently announced that they will cease to publish "WDA" and that it's going away.

They've posted an Q&A on their website that cover most questions. One of the reasons they decided to cease the WDA is because due to module seven being out, Turbine is now focusing on many new and interesting upcoming features, however, the WDA wouldn't be able to discuss them, since it's too early. This makes the WDA "next to useless" says Meghan "Patience" Rodberg, Community Manager of Turbine.

Another reason is (and this is most likely due to the recent fundings Turbine has acquired) that Turbine's Marketing & PR teams plan to give Dungeons & Dragons Online a lot more focus in the coming months. This means that they are going to revamp and change how the communication with players are made. And according to the forum post made by "Patience" a Turbine Community Manager, it will improve even further.

Personally I've enjoyed reading the WDA's and it's a shame that they are going away, however, it's going to be interesting to see what will take it's place, if anything.

Check out the post made by "Patience" from Turbine here.

Eight new screenshots from the very recently released Module 7: The Way of the Monk for Dungeons & Dragons Online was released by Turbine today.

New Playable Class, Landscapes, Raids and More!

WESTWOOD, MA – June 3, 2008 – Turbine, Inc. today announced the launch of the latest update for players of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ONLINE®: Stormreach® (DDO), The Way of the Monk. This major update to DDO introduces the first new playable class since launch, revamped adventure areas, more monsters, spells, magic items, and traditional dungeons to challenge. DDO is a unique online roleplaying experience where players must use their combat skills and wits to survive dangerous dungeons, fiendish traps, and foes that punish the foolish. "This latest module offers players an incredible amount of fun and excitement and we are proud to introduce the long-awaited new class – the Monk," said Jim Crowley, president and CEO of Turbine, Inc. "We are really very excited with how far DDO has come and we have a tremendous amount planned for the game which we look forward to sharing as the year progresses."

The Way of the Monk continues Turbine's commitment to delivering fun, engaging and exciting updates for players in our online worlds. This latest update provides a wealth of new features and experiences for players including two new raids, three new monsters, new raid crafting recipes and eldritch rituals, chat and UI enhancements and several new challenging adventure areas. The Way of the Monk is filled with exciting new features including:

• DDO's First New Player Class: The favorite class of many adventurers, the monk features a martial discipline of hand-to-hand combat and kicks, including special abilities that make the Monk even deadlier. Stun your foes, unleash a flurry of blows, and work up to the deadly quivering palm attack, which can kill enemies with a single strike!

• New Landscape: Players can now explore the all-new, much larger Three-Barrel Cove wilderness and the underground Black Loch outpost. Three new hand-crafted adventures have been added to make this an exciting and challenging area!

• New Raids: In the wake of the destruction of the Marketplace tent, the scholars of the Twelve have found that dangerous enemies lie below the city of Stormreach. Guilds must return to battle former raid bosses like Velah, the Red Dragon and the Black Abbot Lich to collect the keys needed to unlock the underground raid wilderness. Once unlocked, players will be able to battle Suulomades, the devil general responsible for the attack on the Marketplace.

• More Solo Adventures: Daily quests in the Harbor provide new adventuring opportunities for solo adventurers. Collect trophies from vanquished monsters, make deliveries, and collect bounties for the meanest enemies around!

• Gygax Memorial: Set in a wooded alcove near Delera's Tomb, the adventure series Gary Gygax narrated, a symbolic memorial site has been erected for visitors to pay homage to Dungeon Master Gary Gygax.

More new screenshots of The Way of the Monk here.

Turbine has just released a new batch of screens for The Way of the Monk, the latest major content update for Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach.

The screenshots illustrate a revamped Three-Barrel Cove landscape to be added with the new module. Players will be able to explore the all new and much larger Three-Barrel Cove wilderness and take part in new hand-crafted adventures, making this an exciting and challenging area.

The Way of the Monk will be available to subscribers of Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach on June 3rd.

There's an interesting preview of an upcoming underground raid area and event that is planned to go live in Module 7 in Dungeons & Dragons Online

A searing fire erupts before Gustavine Kyerrh. Aaseamah Screven waves his hands through the blue smoke. The tendrils weave into a giant underground cavern. Clusters of rock grow. Ancient pillars take shape. Broken, shattered stalls and shreds of the Bazaar’s skin fade into existence. A dark figure dashes through the rubble and carnage. Gustavine’s concentration breaks. The scene vanishes. Veheer F’nord steps from the shadows, ‘They are still here.’

Fresh off the heels of our very successful anniversary event of destroying the Marketplace Bazaar (or rather, of Shavarath taking revenge on Stormreach), we’d like to introduce a new live event called ‘Unlocking the Subterrane’, which will go live with Module 7. The Subterranean is a large underground raid wilderness and two raid encounters, and we’re able to leverage our new event tech to get you, our players, in the driver’s seat on unlocking it.

In Module 6, The Thirteenth Eclipse, the devil invasion in The Shroud was beaten back, and the Pit Fiend general, Arraetrikos, was sent back to Shavarath in a rage, as he spent millennia formulating and implementing their plans. As a response to his defeat in The Shroud, Arraetrikos orders his troops to begin a ritual in an ancient cavern beneath Stormreach. This ritual culminated in the Marketplace Bazaar being enveloped and destroyed by a massive vortex from the Plane of Battle. As a result of the destruction of the Bazaar, members of the Twelve have been casting powerful divinations to see beneath the city, and the results have been terrifying. Unknown horrors lurk in the darkness of the Khyber, and worse yet, the devils haven’t left. A powerful barrier of unknown magic has formed over the center of the crater, and the underground area known as The Subterrane has been warded and blocked off.

With the release of Module 7, you will arrive to find this scene in the center of the crater. Surrounding the barrier are several Grandmasters of the Twelve, all powerful wizards and sorcerers brought in from Sharn. This group is specialized in deciphering ancient, forgotten rituals. They will breach the entrance to The Subterrane, but they can’t do it without your help.

Each ritualist requires large amounts of a special material component, as ancient rituals are costly to cast. You will be tasked with venturing into the wilds of Xen’drik and finding these components to aid the Twelve’s efforts. The components you need will only come from the most powerful of enemies, from Velah, the red dragon to Arraetrikos, as this ritual is meant to dispel infernal magic from another plane. Once the ritualists have all the components they need, the barrier will be destroyed and The Subterrane will be opened permanently.

The power and control is in your hands, and we don’t know when you will unlock the Subterrane, nor which server will unlock it first. Never fear, if your server has a smaller population and the Subterrane unlocking is not progressing, some members of the Twelve will aid you in the quest to open the underground.

Gustavine sighs, walks to the mirror, waves his hand before it. Five cloaked figures appear. ‘We underestimated his rage. Our worst fears approach. The Bazaar was only the beginning.’ Kyerrh eyes burn with conviction. ‘I invoke the ancient rites and summon The Ritus Concilium.’ The grandmaster’s fingers dance through the air, symbols of colored flame following them. The mirror shakes, bubbles, shatters in a blinding flash. The cloaked figures stands before Gustavine. ‘Your call is answered. The Ritus Concilium has come to save Stormreach. Pray now that Stormreach comes to save us.’

The team behind Dungeons & Dragons Online are offering old players 6 days of free play with increased experiende gain (25%).

There's also information available that cover what they have added to the game since you (potentially) last played it.

Click me to read more.

Greetings Citizens of Stormreach!

I am pleased to announce there will be a festive gathering, held to honor the anniversary of our fair city of Stormreach!

The Coin Lords wish to join with all citizens to celebrate and give thanks to the Dragonmarked Houses and Kingdom of Galifar. For through their gifts, in the year 802 of the Galifar Calendar, the rebirth of Stormreach from a mere outpost in the wilderness to a thriving city was made possible. Stormreach has seen many changes, and faced many dangers, but our city still stands, and our citizens enjoy a life of prosperity! We invite all citizens to attend a gathering to honor our beloved city on Sul, the second day of Therendor (Sunday, March 2nd) in the Marketplace.

Additionally, thanks to the generosity of the Coin Lords, and the hard work of the city's bakers, all heroes and citizens of Stormreach will receive a special celebratory cake on Wir, the 27th of Olarune (Wednesday, February 27th) to mark the grand occasion on the 28th. Citizens will receive these cakes prior to the festival, provided they are already a citizen of Stormreach prior to the 27th of Olarune (prior to the patch on February 27th). Enjoy the cake, and what surprises may spring up from them until the day of the party!

More details will be made available as the day of the party draws closer. We hope that you will join us in celebrating this most joyous occasion!

Turbine has announced the release of the brand new free content update for subscribers to Dungeons and Dragons Online, titled THE THIRTEENTH ECLIPSE. The new content update increases the level cap, introduces new crafting systems and much more.

This major update brings new open landscape regions, an increased level cap, and more monsters, spells, magic items, and traditional dungeons.

The level cap has been increased so that players can now reach the 16th level, as well as new spells, powers and abilities being added for players to attain. Along with that, 12 new monster classes have been added to the game as well as brand new dungeons for players to explore, finishing in a 12-man raid experience.

NEW CONTENT FEATURES:

• New Landscape: Players can now explore three new areas of Stormreach including The Twelve, a series of floating towers, Meridia, an Eladrin enclave and the Vale of Twilight a huge explorable region with four distinct areas filled with quests to challenge high-level players.

• Increased Level Cap: Players can now advance to 16th-level under the D&D® rules. This includes access to 8th-level arcane and divine spells (Polar Ray, Sunburst, Firestorm, Trap the Soul, and more), new character abilities, feats, and skills.

• 12-player Raid: DDO's biggest and best raid yet calls on players to weather waves of devils from Shavarath, solve intriguing puzzles and battle several uniquely powered lieutenants across five distinct regions to face Arraetrikos, a huge red-winged menace with plans to conquer Xen'drik.

• Prototype Crafting System: The new crafting system opens up new possibilities to turn unused items into something exciting using The Eldritch Device and one of over 1000 recipes.

You can read more about Dungeons and Dragons Online as well as the new content update, The Thirteenth Eclipse here.

For DDO fans who have been itching to change the interface -- be it one section or the entire thing -- your day has finally come! With Module 6: The Thirteenth Eclipse, players will be able to completely overhaul the look of the Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach interfaice.

We gladly welcome all DDO fans who wish to do this, and extend our experience hosting World of Warcraft AddOns to the DDO community; let your creativity loose and show the world!

To get a head-start on uploading your newly re-designed DDO interface, head over to the Downloads section and create your project page. From there, you can upload your interface package to share it with the Curse community.

Turbine has announced server merges for Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach, citing player demand to improve population numbers for groups.

New Servers

The servers on the left will be combined into the servers on the right.

• Mabar becomes Argonnessen
• Fernia becomes Ghallanda
• Lhazaar becomes Ghallanda
• Aerenal becomes Sarlona
• Adar becomes Sarlona
• Aundair becomes Khyber
• Riedra becomes Khyber
• Xoriat becomes Thelanis
• Tharashk becomes Thelanis

There are also Server Merge Discussion forums online where players can talk and ask questions about the merges.

The latest update for Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach - 4.2: Searing Heights - is now live! You can read all of the notes from the update below. This looks to be a fairly large installment in Turbine's update series for the game.

Searing Heights

The fiery Sulatar drow lay claim to a volcano on the outskirts of Stormreach. Can you stop the Sulatar from unleashing a burning apocalypse on the heroes of Xen'drik?

• Discover new secrets and enemies in newly revamped Menechtarun desert landscape and the Waterworks adventure area.
• Wage war against the Sulatar firebinders on an all-new CR 4 landscape.
• New spells, abilities, and enhancements including Holy Sword and Warchanter.

In the past month, sightings near the Searing Heights volcano of a mysterious drow tribe have increased tenfold. While their intent is still unknown, many of the Marketplace's residents have been victims of sleepless nights, kept awake by tribal chanting and thunderous drums. Those who have seen members of this tribe, report their face covered with distinctive markings. Scholars say these facial tattoos are unique to the long extinct Sulatar tribe, territorial dark elves that have an unnatural infatuation with all things flame and fire. One can only wonder what secrets are to be found within the depths of Searing Height's slumbering volcano.

General

• Players get 3 more weapon set configuration slots, for a total of 7!
• The Biography text filter has been modified to replace bad words with symbol characters instead of rejecting an entire biography. These symbols will help you identify your problem areas (which sometimes aren't obvious).
• Fixed an Auction House bug where it was possible to bid on an auction and receive a different quantity of the item than expected.

UI Improvements

• The XP bar should no longer disappear on larger monitors.
• The pop-up dialog for splitting items stacks in your inventory now defaults to 1 item instead of the size of the full stack.
• Mail
  • You will now get a warning (and won't be able to detach the money) when you attempt to detach money which would place you over the maximum amount of money you can have.
• Auction House
  • You can now filter your auction house searches by item level. This search is based on the minimum level to use the item. Items with no level requirement are considered level 1 by the filter. This feature will only work with auctions posted after the update.
  • Clothing and Jewelry sections in the auction house are now broken up into multiple categories based the slot the item equips to. There are now a total of ten categories for both of these two sections. Note: Only newly posted auctions will appear in these new categories.
  • Throwing Darts now have their own category.
• Friends List
  • Offline friends will no longer show up in the friends list when added or imported if "Hide Offline Friends" is checked.
  • Characters you add to your friends list who are anonymous will now appear offline as intended.
• Who Panel
  • Clicking on the "Show only players looking for group" text will no longer check the checkbox. You now must click on the checkbox directly to select this option.
• Rogue Action Boost and Ranger Action Boost have new icons to differentiate them from Human Versatility.

Monsters

• The Efreeti summoned by Summon Monster VII now once again possesses spell points and is capable of casting spells.
• Giant Skeletons will no longer always alternate missile and magical attacks when at range.
• Translucent monsters will no longer reappear "standing" after dying to an effect that would normally destroy their body.
• Bezekira particle effects will no longer persist after death.
• The spike damage of the Razor Cats is now working properly. Those who hit a razor cat in melee combat will have to make a reflex save or be injured by the spikes. Keep some throwing hammers and/or spearblock items handy.
• The fire elemental's Aura of Flame has been fixed. It can no longer be blocked by spell resistance.
• Duergar barbarians, bandits, and bards had their alignment corrected. They are now Neutral Evil instead of Lawful Evil.
• Higher level wights and ghouls (CR 10 and above) will be able to use their innate abilities like level drain and disease on more of their attacks, rather than only doing these on their “rear back and jump forward” attack. This makes them more like their pen and paper counterparts and will make them a little more challenging. Players will of course still get their saves to resist these effects.

Combat

• Weapons with special damage effects no longer cause a sneak attack on an unsuspecting victim to be lost.

Spells

• New Spells for Paladins:
  • Angelskin
    • Abjuration
    • Level: Pal 2
    • Components: V, S, DF
    • Target: Lawful Good creature touched (self or ally)
    • Duration: 6 seconds/level
    • The subject gains damage reduction 5/evil.
  • Holy Sword
    • Evocation
    • Level: Pal 4
    • Components: V, S, M
    • Channels holy power to turn a Blessed Cold Iron weapon into a +5 Holy Cold Iron weapon that grants its wielder a continuous Protection From Evil effect while equipped. The holy weapon is permanent, but is destroyed on dungeon exit. The House Jorasco Divine Reagent Vendor carries Blessed Cold Iron Greatswords, Swords, Longswords, Shortswords, Scimitars, Warhammers, Rapiers, Dwarven Waraxes, Khopeshes, Mauls, and Heavy Picks.
• New Spells for Clerics:
  • Chaos Hammer
    • Evocation [Chaotic]
    • Level: Clr 4
    • Components: V, S
    • Saving Throw: Will partial, see text.
    • You unleash chaotic power to smite your enemies. This spell deals 1d8 points of damage per two caster levels (max 5d8) to lawful creatures (or 1d6 points of damage per caster level (max 10d6) to lawful outsiders) and slows them for a short period of time. A successful Will save reduces the damage by half and negates the slow effect. The spell deals only half damage to creatures that are neither lawful nor chaotic, and they are not slowed. Such creatures can reduce the damage by half again (down to one quarter) with a successful Will save. This spell deals no damage to chaotic creatures, and can only be cast by chaotic or neutral casters - it has no effect when cast by a lawful caster.
  • Close Wounds
    • Conjuration (Healing)
    • Level: Clr 2
    • Components: V
    • Target: One Ally, Self, or Undead Foe
    • Saving Throw: Will half
    • Close Wounds cures 1d4 points of damage + 1 point per caster level (maximum +5). This spell is quicker to cast than other cures and has no cooldown other than the one second global cooldown.
  • Nightshield
    • Abjuration
    • Level: Clr 1, Sor/Wiz 1
    • Components: V, S
    • Range: Personal
    • Duration: 1 minute/level
    • Grants a +1 resistance bonus to saves; this resistance bonus increases to +2 at caster level 6th and +3 at caster level 9th. In addition, this spell negates Magic Missile and Force Missile attacks directed at you.
  • Order's Wrath
    • Evocation [Lawful]
    • Level: Clr 4
    • Components: V, S
    • Saving Throw: Will partial, see text.
    • You unleash lawful power to smite your enemies. This spell deals 1d8 points of damage per two caster levels (max 5d8) to chaotic creatures (or 1d6 points of damage per caster level (max 10d6) to chaotic outsiders) and dazes them for a short period of time. A successful Will save reduces the damage by half and negates the daze effect. The spell deals only half damage to creatures that are neither lawful nor chaotic, and they are not dazed. Such creatures can reduce the damage by half again (down to one quarter) with a successful Will save. This spell deals no damage to lawful creatures, and can only be cast by lawful or neutral casters - it has no effect when cast by a chaotic caster.
  • Spawn Screen
    • Necromancy
    • Level: Clr 2, Sor/Wiz 2
    • Components: V, S, DF
    • Target: One Ally/level
    • Duration: 1 minute/level
    • Protects you and your allies from rising as spawns of common undead after death. Certain very rare, exceptionally powerful creatures (with purple names) may be able to bypass this ward.
  • Unholy Blight
    • Evocation [Evil]
    • Level: Clr 4
    • Components: V, S
    • Saving Throw: Will partial, see text.
    • You call up unholy power to smite your enemies. This spell deals 1d8 points of damage per two caster levels (max 5d8) to good creatures (or 1d6 points of damage per caster level (max 10d6) to good outsiders) and sickens them for a short period of time. A successful Will save reduces the damage by half and negates the sicken effect. The spell deals only half damage to creatures that are neither good nor evil, and they are not sickened. Such creatures can reduce the damage by half again (down to one quarter) with a successful Will save. This spell deals no damage to evil creatures, and can only be cast by evil or neutral casters - it has no effect when cast by a good caster.
• New Spells for Wizards and Sorcerers:
  • Nightshield
    • Abjuration
    • Level: Clr 1, Sor/Wiz 1
    • Components: V, S
    • Range: Personal
    • Duration: 1 minute/level
    • Grants a +1 resistance bonus to saves; this resistance bonus increases to +2 at caster level 6th and +3 at caster level 9th. In addition, this spell negates Magic Missile and Force Missile attacks directed at you.
  • Ooze Puppet
    • Transmutation
    • Level: Sor/Wiz 2
    • Components: V, S
    • Target: One Ooze
    • Duration: 10 minutes
    • Saving Throw: Fortitude negates
    • You telekinetically take control of the targeted ooze, manipulating it and forcing it to move and attack as you see fit. Oozes dominated by this spell are slowed, and once a minute receive an additional save to attempt to free themselves. If the controlled ooze splits, you lose control of the resultant oozes.
  • Spawn Screen
    • Necromancy
    • Level: Clr 2, Sor/Wiz 2
    • Components: V, S, DF
    • Target: One Ally/level
    • Duration: 1 minute/level
    • Protects you and your allies from rising as spawns of common undead after death. Certain very rare, exceptionally powerful creatures (with purple names) may be able to bypass this ward.
• New Spells for Bards:
  • Focusing Chant
    • Enchantment (Compulsion) [Mind-Affecting]
    • Level: Brd 1
    • Components: V
    • Range: Personal
    • Duration: 1 minute
    • You gain a +1 circumstance bonus on attack rolls and skill checks for the duration of the spell.
• Base cooldowns for Sorcerers reduced by 0.5 seconds for all spells (1.0 second for lingering effects.)
• Maximize and Empower options temporarily removed from Fire Shield and Chill Shield - these metamagics were not increasing the amount of damage dealt by the spells but were increasing the spell point cost of the spells.
• Tenser's Transformation now grants Simple Weapon Proficiencies in addition to Martial Weapon Proficiencies. Additionally, casting Tenser's Transformation will now also grant proficiency with Throwing Hammers.
• Chill Touch now (properly) has a fortitude save to negate the strength damage portion of the spell.
• Potentially long-lasting debuff spells like crushing despair, bane, doom, and ray of enfeeblement have been changed so that they are removed by resting at a rest shrine.
• Fixed Mind Fog's spell school. Mind Fog is an enchantment, not a conjuration.
• The description for the Symbol of Flame spell has been fixed to accurately describe the amount of damage the spell does. The reflex save for this spell has also been fixed. Players and enemy npcs can now attempt a reflex save to reduce damage by half. The spell has always done 5d6 damage, and this has not been changed.

Skills, Feats, & Abilities

• Reduced difficulty of detecting traps with Search and Spot, especially at low levels (5 and under).
• The Power Critical feats have been upgraded. All of these feats have been consolidated into one. Once you have this feat, you will get a +4 bonus to confirm critical hits with any type of weapon.

Enhancements

• General
  • Extra Dragonmark I
    • Cost: 1 Action Point
    • Prereqs: Any Dragonmark, Level 2 Character, 3 Action Points Spent.
    • Benefit: Gain an additional use of your Least, Lesser, and Greater Dragonmarks per rest.
  • Extra Dragonmark 2
    • Cost: 2 Action Point
    • Prereqs: Any Dragonmark, Level 6 Character, 18 Action Points Spent.
    • Benefit: Gain an additional use of your Least, Lesser, and Greater Dragonmarks per rest.
  • Extra Dragonmark 3
    • Cost: 3 Action Point
    • Prereqs: Any Dragonmark, Level 10 Character, 33 Action Points Spent.
    • Benefit: Gain an additional use of your Least, Lesser, and Greater Dragonmarks per rest.
  • Extra Dragonmark 4
    • Cost: 4 Action Point
    • Prereqs: Any Dragonmark, Level 14 Character, 48 Action Points Spent.
    • Benefit: Gain an additional use of your Least, Lesser, and Greater Dragonmarks per rest.
• Bards
  • Note: you may only have one Bardic Specialization at a time
  • Spellsinger
    • Prereqs: Bard level 6, Bard Music of Energy 2, Bard Skill: Concentration 2, Bard Song Magic 2, Bard Lyric of Song 1, Any one of the following: Magical Training, Mental Toughness, Spell Focus: Enchantment, Greater Spell Focus: Enchantment, Empower Spell, Extend Spell, Heighten Spell, Maximize Spell
    • Your studies into magic have granted you a +2 bonus to your Concentration and Use Magic Device skills, +100 Spell Points, and the ability to expend a use of Bardic Music to grant all nearby allies a +1 morale bonus to spell DC's and a 10% morale discount on spell costs.
  • Virtuoso
    • Prereqs: Bard level 6, Bard Extra Song 2, Bard Skill: Perform 2, Bard Lingering Song 1, Bard Charisma 1, Any one of the following: Bard Extra Song 4, Skill Focus: Perform, Negotiator
    • Your studies into song have granted you a +2 bonus to your Diplomacy, Listen, and Perform skills, 3 extra uses of Bardic Music per rest, and your beneficial songs last an additional 10% longer. You also gain the ability to expend a use of Bardic Music to enthrall multiple enemies, fascinating them and inflicting a -2 penalty to attack rolls and Will saves even if the fascination is broken.
  • Warchanter
    • Prereqs: Bard level 6, Bard Inspired Attack 1, Bard Inspired Damage 1, Bard Inspired Bravery 2, Power Attack, Any one of the following: Weapon Focus: Slashing, Weapon Focus: Piercing, Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning
    • Your studies into war have granted you a +2 bonus to your Intimidate skill. Your Inspire Courage song gains an additional +1 to attack rolls, +2 to damage rolls, and +1 to fear saves. If you possess the Barbarian Rage ability, you gain +1 use per rest. You also gain the ability to expend a use of Bardic Music to grant all nearby allies damage reduction 5/-."
• Warforged
  • Warforged Brute Fighting I
    • Cost: 1 Action Point
    • Prereqs: Warforged Level 2, 3 Action Points Spent
    • Benefit: Activate this ability to cause your melee attacks to generate 10% more hate, making enemies more likely to attack you.
  • Warforged Brute Fighting II
    • Cost: 2 Action Points
    • Prereqs: Warforged Level 6, Warforged Brute Fighting I, 18 Action Points Spent
    • Benefit: Activate this ability to cause your melee attacks to generate 15% more hate, making enemies more likely to attack you.
  • Warforged Brute Fighting III
    • Cost: 3 Action Points
    • Prereqs: Warforged Level 10, Warforged Brute Fighting II, 33 Action Points Spent
    • Benefit: Activate this ability to cause your melee attacks to generate 20% more hate, making enemies more likely to attack you.
  • Warforged Brute Fighting IV
    • Cost: 4 Action Points
    • Prereqs: Warforged Level 14, Warforged Brute Fighting III, 48 Action Points Spent
    • Benefit: Activate this ability to cause your melee attacks to generate 25% more hate, making enemies more likely to attack you.
• The Follower of the Enhancement Lines now grant sub-abilities:
  • Tira's Champion: (Associated with Follower of the Silver Flame) Activate this ability to grant weapon proficiency in longbows to yourself or a friend until the target next rests. Consumes a use of turn undead.
  • Similar sub-abilities exist for the other faiths.
• The Toughness enhancement lines for dwarves, barbarians, fighters, and paladins have been upgraded. They now give you 5, 10, 15, and 20 additional hit points respectively instead of 5, 5, 5, and 5. They all still have the Toughness feat as a prerequisite.
• Halfling Thrown Weapon Attack and Damage enhancements now work on Throwing Hammers.
• Cleric and Paladin Unyielding Sovereignty now has significantly longer range (matching other healing spells) and requires line of sight to the target.
• The active abilities under Rogue Specializations now show up underneath the passive ability rather than under a second heading.
• Way of the Assassin now has three different poisons available for use: Thoughtburn (Int damage and prevents casting for a short time), Icechill (Dex damage and slows the target's attack speed for a short time), and Soulshatter (Lowers the target's spell resistance by 10 and Will saves by 4 for a short time). Only one poison may be active at a time.
• An enemy poisoned by Thoughtburn (from the Way of the Assassin ability) now displays appropriate particle effects.
• Corrected description of Rogue Way of the Assassin I to indicate that poison effect occur on sneak attacks while Assassin's Focus is active.
• Corrected prerequisite values for the enhancements Elven Melee Attack II and Elven Ranged Damage II. Elven Melee Attack II now requires 32 Action Points spent, Elven Ranged Damage II now requires 20 Action Points spent.
• Rogue Subtle Backstabber is now an active enhancement that has a toggled stance. While turned on, you will generate less hate on melee attacks.
• The Silver Flame Exorcism enhancements now use 10 + (class level) + Charisma Modifier as a DC for the Will and Fortitude saves rather than a fixed save DC. Updated the descriptions to match.
• Undying Call now properly differentiates between Drow and "real" elves.
• The various enhancements that summon creatures (Iron/Steel/Mithral Companion and Vulkoor’s Avatar) can now only be summoned in dungeons. You will no longer trigger the cooldown (and lose the attempt) if you try to summon them elsewhere. Summoning these creatures will now also break stealth.
• Iron Companion no longer lists Cannith Repair II as a potential prerequisite, since a character with Cannith Repair II has already unlocked the enhancement through the Least Mark of Making.
• Ranger Vermin Empathy enhancement prerequisites changed to: Ranger Level 2 (from 11). Ranger Extra Empathy I and any one of the following: Favored Enemy: Vermin, Ranger Desert Lore 2, Ranger Swamp Lore 2, or Ranger Extra Empathy IV.
• Ranger Elemental Empathy enhancement prerequisites changed to: Ranger Level 4 (from 12). Ranger Extra Empathy I and any one of the following: Favored Enemy: Elemental, Ranger Energy Resistance Boost III, or Ranger Extra Empathy IV.
• Bard Music of the Dead enhancement prerequisite changed to: Bard Level 6 (from 11). Any one of the following: Bard Extra Song IV or Bard Virtuoso I.
• Bard Music of the Makers enhancement prerequisite changed to: Bard Level 9 (from 11). Any one of the following: Bard Extra Song IV, Bard Virtuoso I, Warforged Construct Thinking III, Lesser Dragonmark of Making.

Items

• Corrected treasure tables for certain extremely high level, race restricted jewelry and clothing. They will no longer generate items with incorrect Minimum Required Levels.
• Whenever you repair an item there is a chance it will be permanently damaged. Up until now, it has been impossible to see which items were permanently damaged when repairing items in bulk. From now on an alert will be sent to the chat window as well as the middle of your screen.
• The House Jorasco Divine Reagent Vendor now carries Blessed Cold Iron Greatswords, Swords, Longswords, Shortswords, Scimitars, Warhammers, Rapiers, Dwarven Waraxes, Khopeshes, Mauls, and Heavy Picks.
• New enchanted food and drinks are available in all taverns. Warforged also have new enchanted balms and tonics. The new drink and tonic restores 2500sp over 1 minute. The new food heals 500hp over 1 minute.The new balm heals 450hp over 1 minute.
• Corrected the caster levels for Wands of Flame Arrow and Wands of Holy Smite to appropriate values for their spell level. Wand of Flame Arrow was reduced to Caster Level 5. Wand of Holy Smite was increased to Caster Level 7. Wands of Resist Energy was changed from Caster Level 1 to 3. These changes will affect the UMD difficulty of activating the wands as well as the wands gold value.
• The Helm of the Black Dragon and the Helm of the Blue Dragon will now appear in the correct Clothing section of the Auction House. They were so pretty they were mistakenly put in the Jewelry category.
• Randomly generated thrown Returning weapons will now correctly bypass their targets Damage Reduction.
• Clarified the description of the Nullcloth Gown to make it obvious that the 15% Spell Failure applies to all spell casters, even Divine casters.
• Corrected the naming for stacks of higher level Barkskin and Shield of Faith potions. They will now indicate their additional bonus eg Potions of Shield of Faith (+5).
• You will no longer be able to attach items to mail messages that are not currently in your inventory (i.e., an item that is in your bank).

NPCs

• Several enemy characters from the Aurum have had their alignment changed to Lawful Evil.
• Many npcs were incorrectly insisting that they were "Race: Elf" in the examination window. This information has been removed from these lying npcs.
• Niles Cage (Stormreach Harbor) is no longer performing an appendectomy on himself.

Quests

• NEW – Story quest goals that are advanced by the completion of raid dungeons can no longer be abandoned.
• Made a change to help prevent quest items from becoming inaccessible if the party member who was carrying them dies or leaves the quest.
• Ataraxia's Haven
  • Players will now always be able to exit the mine cave without difficulty.
• Cerulean Hills
  • Rare Encounter Garunt will now have a treasure chest.
• Delera's Graveyard
  • Necromancer's Lair
    • Fixed some older traps that were not working properly. Watch out!
• Garl's Tomb
  • The skeleton captain will now reappear if it falls into the water. Previously, if it fell off, it would not reappear, and it would not be possible to obtain its key.
• NEW – Gianthold
  • Rakshasa Lair
    • It’s no longer possible to trap monsters within some of the rooms.
  • The Stormreaver now takes less interest in those who are flying.
• The Low Road
  • Fixed a couple hidden doors which could not be detected before.
• Menechtarun
  • The winds have shifted the sands of Menechtarun, revealing ancient roads.
  • Many of the named minibosses out in the desert of Menechtarun have gotten new supplies or found new sources of power. They are a fair amount stronger than before and will put up a better fight.
• The Missing Ward
  • The hard and elite versions of Necromancer Gerti have had their spell lists fixed. They will no longer repeatedly cast the sleep spell.
• Prison of the Planes
  • Cochitlehua has remembered that he has "Teleport Without Error" as an at-will spell-like ability.
  • Fixed a rare issue where the docent wouldn't pop.
• Redfang's Lair
  • Bile the scorpion will no longer appear before it's ready to fight.
• Restless Isles
  • Mul Tong now properly displays his quest chalice.
• Sorrowdusk Island
  • The named gargoyle Vermilo now functions properly (and his chest spawns on the ground).
• Stormcleave Outpost
  • Made several changes to the pillars:
    • The Mephits have had their hide skill lowered so they should be easier to find
    • The Mephits now have a 60 meter leash so they shouldn't wander away
    • Changed an objective to read 'Alight the Pillars' to make it more clear that they need to be fully lit and fully active rather than just partially lit.
• NEW – Stromvauld's Mine
  • The boss and minibosses now have more hit points.
• Tangleroot Gorge
  • Using Eremic Quall to transport you directly to Chief Ungurz will now place you in the correct version of the Tangleroot Gorge landscape quest.
• Waterworks
  • Clan Tunnelworm
    • Fixed a valve so it can be used more than once to prevent players from getting stuck in a room.
• Xorian Cipher
  • The three named spectres in the Xorian Cipher quest, the Urdak brothers, have been changed into skeletons so they can no longer occasionally flee and leave you stranded in a locked room. They will be slightly more challenging to beat than they were before.

The next update for Dungeons & Dragons Online, 4.2: Searing Heights, is going to include a host of new spells and enhancements for the Cleric, Paladin, Bard, Wizard, Ranger, and Rogue classes. You can check out the entire list by clicking here, but there's also a sample below.

Paladin Spell

Holy Sword
Evocation [Good]
Level: Pal 4
Components: V, S, M

Channels holy power to turn a Blessed Cold Iron weapon into a +5 Holy Cold Iron weapon that grants its wielder a continuous Protection From Evil effect while equipped. The holy weapon is permanent, but is destroyed on dungeon exit. The House Jorasco Divine Reagent Vendor carries Blessed Cold Iron Greatswords, Swords, Longswords, Shortswords, Scimitars, Warhammers, Rapiers, Dwarven Waraxes, Khopeshes, Mauls, and Heavy Picks.

Cleric & Wizard Spell

Nightshield
Abjuration
Level: Clr 1, Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S
Range: Personal
Duration: 1 minute/level

Grants a +1 resistance bonus to saves; this resistance bonus increases to +2 at caster level 6th and +3 at caster level 9th. In addition, this spell negates Magic Missile and Force Missile attacks directed at you.

Olladra, the goddess of Feast and Fortune, can be both playful and fickle. As tribute to this mercurial goddess, the Coin Lords will be celebrating the Festival of Olladra on 4 Lharvion* by giving away several Intimidating Daggers of Paralyzing Acid! This exclusive event item also has a lower tiered version called the Intimidating Dagger of Acid. The Coin Lords have a limited number of both daggers and will be giving them to a lucky few.

You can find out more information on this festival by visiting the thread on the official DDO forums.

The latest Monster Profile is now available on the D&D Online website, this time covering the Stone Giant.

To read more on this Monster Profile, head here.

Starting this Friday, June 15th, Turbine is going to activate their second Welcome Back Weekend. The event will run through Monday, and will offer many cool things including live events all weekend long.

There will also be bonuses to experience gain and loot levels:

• +50% bonus to earned XP
• +1 loot level on chests

Head over to the Welcome Back Weekend II article to find out more.

The 4.1 update for Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach looks to be a big one.

There are new solo quests, Dragonmarks, a change to resurrection shrines, many UI changes, monster AI changes, combat changes - including a change to the Rogue Evasion ability, and many more additions and changes.

Head over to the 4.1 Release Notes thread to see the entire list of changes for the next DDO update.

A new In Development feature has been posted on the Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach forums, by Samera - the Community Relations Manager at Turbine - covering a new feature addition called "Dragonmarks."

Three thousand years ago the first dragonmarks appeared in the elven kingdom of Aerenal. Strange patterns on the skin, more an elaborate birthmark than a tattoo, they gave their bearers magical abilities that have been a source of power and conflict for centuries.

The first two dragonmarks, the Mark of Shadow and the Mark of Death, appeared on the elven bards known as phiarlans and the necromancers of House Vol. As the two houses grew in power, House Vol began to experiment with the blending of elven and dragon blood. This was seen as an abomination by both races, and the decision was made to destroy the Mark of Death. Every blood member of the house was brutally slaughtered, and the Mark of Death has not been seen since.

Through the centuries these marks appeared in other races and bloodlines – the Marks of Hospitality and Healing on the halflings of the Talenta Plains, the Mark of Scribing on the gnomes of Zilargo, the Marks of Making, Sentinel, Passage, and Handling on the humans of Galifar, the Mark of Warding on the dwarves of the Mror Holds, as well as the Marks of Storm and Detection on Half Elves and Mark of Finding on the humans and half-orcs of the Shadow Marches.