Azteca is Released on the Live Realm!

Wizards! It's time to visit the new world Azteca and help stop Morganthe from destroying the world! Wizards who are a minimum of level 80 and who have completed the Avalon quest "A Great Storm Coming" must speak to Cyrus Drake in Ravenwood (not Merle like you usually do). He will send you along to Marleybone for a very unique experience. Completing Cyrus' quest will give you the Spiral Key to Azteca. Azteca is by far the hardest world Kingsisle has released, with enemies using mastery amulets, tower shields, and the return of some well-known cheating and non-cheating bosses!

See you in Azteca Wizards!

Journal of a Dead-Eye Pirate - Chapter 7: Valencia

Ahoy Pirates! I am currently in a very interesting situation, thanks to Captain Avery yet again! While I was sailing back to Skull Island, I was attacked by lots and lots of pirates! They all wanted a "map," and apparently Captain Avery said I had it! As it turns out, however, Avery had the map all along, but told everyone I had it because he thought I died in Monquista. How nice of him! But Avery didn't even have the entire map, he only had one piece, and all the others were hidden around the spiral.

Avery decided to tell me the story of El Dorado, and how Marco Pollo hid all the pieces of the map to El Dorado all around the spiral. Apparently, I found the first piece of the map in Captain Gunn's Treasure!

After much persuasion, I was convinced to help Captain Avery find El Dorado, for equal share of the treasure!

And after I agreed Avery decided to tell me that the Clockwork Armada was also after the map pieces, because once they found El Dorado, they could finish their plans of taking over the spiral. In attempt to find the next piece of the map, Avery sent me to Valencia, where Marco Pollo studied.

Once I arrived I spoke with an old unicorn who pointed me in the right direction; Sivella.

Valencia was an interesting place, however, since it's taken over by the Armada.

I had to put on a lovely disguise in order to gain access into Sivella. Look at my friend to the left!

I spoke with a historian in Sivella, and he sent me to the library to find Marco Pollo's collection. His map must be in there!

Unfortunately the library was taken over by the Armada...

So I had to fight my way through!

When I arrived, I was already too late! The Armada had already searched through Pollo's collection at the library!

I returned to Sivella and was told that there was a small chance a map piece may be in Marco Pollo's tomb on Granchia.

When I arrived the Armada was eating the island with one of their machines!

When my crew and I found Marco Pollo's tomb, we were encountered by Phule, a member of Kane's Court! He knew exactly who we were! Look at this, Avery's gotten us a royal enemy!

Phule had his soldiers attack us, but luckily we made it out alive!

Without a map piece, we returned to the wise old unicorn who helped us in the beginning. He told us that perhaps we should speak to someone who knew Marco Pollo, and pointed us in the direction of Brother Varo.

Brother Varo knew exactly what we were talking about! He sent us to find Christopher Clark in Cool Ranch to find Marco Pollo's map!

And through the Stormgate we went! On to Cool Ranch pirates! Until next time!

1000 Away from 5000 Visitors!

Thank you Wizards and Pirates alike! I am happy to announce that Gem of the Spiral will soon be reaching 5,000 visitors, and that is more than I ever expected! I never imagined people would be interested in a blog like this, by someone they probably don't even know! I am just happy that my posts are helpful and entertaining to people all around the spiral, and plan to continue! 

Despite my entries in the Journal of a Dead-Eye Pirate, you haven't really been given that much information on my in-game experiences and who I am. As the first of many rewards for this visitor celebration, this post will be all about my pirate and wizards, and even a way you can become friends with me!

 

Ahoy mateys! My name is Dead-Eye Dustin! Lately, I've been a slow sailing pirate, and I'm only level 25, but that will soon change as I search around Cool Ranch for Captain Blood's treasure! Inside his treasure is one of the pieces of Marco Pollo's map, and will put me one step closer to reaching El Dorado! If you can't already tell, I'm a Witchdoctor, and that means I use the Hoodoo powers to summon undead, weaken, and destroy the enemies. My trusty companions Mormo and Old Scratch also harness the power of Hoodoo, and together we are one Hoodoo of a crew! Too much, eh?

As you can see, I'm not that wealthy of a pirate... But that's because I spend all me booty on ships and ship parts that better suit my nautical level of 18! I'm also part Privateer, as I use my practice points to help me learn to heal myself and my allies!

And here are my trusty companions! I choose to keep them all leveled at around the same time, so that way I won't have the chance of a really underpowered companion joining my battle. This is critical for me, as I am a solo-pirate (as seen in my videos), and a strong team is required to be able to solo!

Well that's all about my pirate! Stay tuned for an entry on my wizard, and a contest coming soon, once I finally do reach 5,000 visitors! See you around the spiral!

Pirate101 Test Realm: ONLINE!

Ahoy mateys! The Pirate101 test realm is officially online! The test realm is a replica of the Pirate101 game used to test new features and additions before they are released to the public game. All subscribers and pirates who have spent at least $6 on crowns in the last 30 days are eligible to play in the test realm. Anything that happens during the test realm stage will not be carried out to the live realm. 

This time around the test realm has updates on combat, quests, and other miscellaneous things. Visit the update notes page for more information.

See you on the test realm!

Kingsisle Show and Tell Contest - Win a Computer!

You Could Win a Computer!

Kingsisle, Sapphire, and AMD have teamed up to host a very impressive contest, one where you could win one of twelve 12 limited-edition Sapphire mini-PCs! One grand prize winner will also receive a custom-built Eyefinity system from AMD! The mini-PCs are powerful computers despite their size, and are perfect for sailing the skyways and defeating the Umbra Legion! The custom-built system is the grand prize for one reason; it is an extreme gaming computer with 3 monitors! The three monitors work together to give you a beautiful wide-screen display! With these computer, lag in-game will be a thing of the past!

How to Enter!

Enough with the prizes, if you want to win you have to earn it of course! Starting November 1st Wizards and Pirates will be able to start entering this contest with one entry per week. Each week, the theme of the entry changes. The theme of entry is always about showing and telling how Wizard101/Pirate101 has affected you!

• Week 1: Family Bonding – Tell us a story about how playing Wizard101 has brought your family closer together or created additional family bonding opportunities.
• Week 2: Learning – Tell us about the ways that KingsIsle’s games have contributed to learning in your family or helped you sharpen skills. 
• Week 3: Inspiration – Tell us how KingsIsle’s games have driven inspiration or creativity with you and your family members.
• Week 4: Creativity – Show us your original creative work. Share your art, writing or other artistic creativity inspired by Pirate101 or Wizard101 (drawings, sculptures, poetry, cake decorating).

Now that you know all about the contest, it's time to enter! Click the image below to enter!

Special Wizard101 and Pirate101 Membership Offer!

Wizard101 is only $59.95 for ONE YEAR! For a limited time only, Wizard101's one year Membership is available for a one-time payment of $59.95 .  Whether you are already a Member or you're a free to play player thinking about becoming a Member, take advantage of this limited time offer now! Wizard101 Members get full access to all game worlds, ranked PvP and Pet Derby matches, more backpack space and much more.  Current Members can save by purchasing the $59.95 one year Membership now. When your current Membership ends, it will automatically be renewed for an entire year at the $59.95 price!  All transactions are billed immediately and your payment method will be billed each time your Membership renews. You may modify your Membership status at any time through "My Accounts". This special ends Sunday, November 11th at 11:59pm Central US time. Click below to BUY NOW!

12 Month Membership Sale! For a limited time only, Pirate101's one year Membership is available for a one-time payment of $59.95. Whether you are already a Member or you're a free to play player thinking about becoming a Member, take advantage of this limited time offer now! Pirate101 Members get full access to all game worlds, more backpack space, Companion skills reset for gold and much more! Current Members can save by purchasing the $59.95 one year Membership now. When your current Membership ends, it will automatically be renewed for an entire year at the $59.95 price!  All transactions are billed immediately and your payment method will be billed each time your Membership renews. You may modify your Membership status at any time through "My Accounts". Hurry, This special ends Sunday, November 11th at 11:59pm US Central Time. Click below to BUY NOW!

---

Hello Pirates and Wizards! Today is a good day to renew you're membership! You have until November 11th to claim these offers, so act fast! See you all around the spiral!

Journal of a Dead-Eye Pirate - Chapter 6: The Monkey's Paw

Ahoy pirates! Today began my journey to find the Monkey's Paw! Just to catch everyone up, I'm searching for the Monkey's Paw so the Opposition has some leverage over the Holy Monquisition. If I help them, they will sign my trade papers for Captain Avery! My journey for the Paw begins in the sewers, as I attempt to break into Monquista City for information on where the Claw is hidden.

I had to fight my way through the sewers to activate all the levers. Eventually I found a ladder that led straight up to Monquista!

Once I got inside, I put my monkey of a disguise on!

I found some information which lead me to Diablo Cut, a place where the Monkey's Paw supposedly dwelt.

 What a lovely place for a royal claw to be hanging around!

I ran into some trouble looking for the paw, however...

Who knew plants could be so evil!

Lots of undead, too. It was one interesting cave...

I finally found the room of the Monkey's Claw! However, it was a test. There were hundreds of paws throughout the room, and I needed to pick the right one or die! Naturally, I chose the only one that looked like a Monkey's Paw... And I was right!

So Donkey Hotey wished for a million bananas... Sigh...

Nevertheless I managed to get the trade papers signed! Now it's time to head back to Captain Avery! 'Til next time Pirates!