EMC Lore A Treatise on EMC Starter Gearvolume 2* updates 2019 10 ◊ A Welcome to the Empire. ◊ From the very inception of the townships the founders had agreed to offer a grant of land (60x60 residence) to newcomers, and it was only a short time afterwards that a small fund of rupees was added, and they were directed to a simple guide to help them get started. This was just enough for newcomers to obtain some initial supplies, or animals, in order to begin their new lives as they resettled. Within one cycle it was decided to find a better method to assimilate newcomers into the empire, for there were many laws to be followed, and many places in the towns that would be useful to be aware of. Dark_Liz was put in charge of the welcoming committee, and in the tenth cycle a new initiation method was created by her, along with Ausbq, both to inform and entertain. As the new members passed through the maze of initiation, small prizes would be awarded for correct answers. The lists show they were now also given some food (chicken and steak), 20 torches, and 5 oak saplings to plant. Tools forged of iron included a pickaxe, shovel, axe, and a sword. It was following this that a great town meeting was held. Many notables were in attendance apart from Dark_liz and Ausbq, including Autonamus, Starcraft1535, Slozon, Twitch1 and even the founders. It was through talks that the decision was made to provide stone tools, likely due to the scarcity of iron still in this age, and thus was decreed that from the 12th cycle and into the next age the following items were provided, as recorded by ShaunWhite1982: Starter Gear List: q1- 300r - 10 bread q2- 300r - 20 torches q3- 300r - 5 saplings q4- 300r - stone shovel, stone axe q5- 300r - stone pickaxe, stone sword Though not exactly a starter item, it should be noted that by the 1st cycle of the 5th age, members who had been banned were able to return, losing their funds and lands, they were given a book entitled Second Chance by the Empire. In the 9th cycle of the 5th Age the Empire had just celebrated its 2nd anniversary, and the towns were prospering greatly. A new induction ceremony was adopted by Maxarias and Aikar, which granted armour along with the supplies and iron tools, and these arms were enchanted by the wizards. Even the current citizens were invited to visit, and reclaim new equipment, obtained during the new ceremony. Additionally, hidden items were incorporated in the construction for those with the desire to search them out, including Famed citizens such as Qwerty189 (aka. Duf*), Roslyn, RunningRhino, 607, Eclypsis, Fdny21, Equatablehook, DWmom, Sweatie_pea, Olaf_C, and Hashhog; though the last encountered some difficulty finding his just rewards. These hidden prizes provided some additional valuables including gems, but most interesting was a magical horse, which spawned fully grown, and with a saddle. Citizen Qwerty189 stated "The prizes total 13 diamonds, a horse egg, a diamond pick, and 1500 rupees...". A few original sets of Armour can still be admired in various museums today. A fine example may be encountered at 9999, where Mman has maintained his personal set on display since first acquiring them, and they are quite pristine. Other examples may be viewed at Crafter31211's 9990 EMC Museum, Fdny's 18200 Empire Museum, Hashhogs 16500 Museum, and my own display in the Fort at 12039. The complete set of gear now included: - 2000 rupees - Iron Starter Sword (unbreaking I) - Iron Starter Pickaxe (unbreaking I) - Full set of unbreaking I iron armour (Starter helmet, chestplate, leggings, boots) - 64 torches, 64 oak planks, 32 bread, 5 birch sapling 5 oak sapling, 2 cows, 2 sheep - Getting Started guidebook The “Getting Started” guidebook was added and officially announced by Aikar following some minor tutorial changes in the 1st cycle of the 6th Age. Ever seeking to improve the Empire, in the 4th cycle of the 6th Age a call went out, an invitation for the citizens of the to help in the creation of a magnificent structure, a newer gateway into the cities that was equal to the splendor of the Empire itself. Many heeded the call and the Empire soon selected a small group, the new Master Builders of the Empire. Through this process the Starter gear offered to newcomers was also revamped once again, and fashioned to even finer quality than ever before. Immediately, in anticipation of this elaborate gateway, the new starter armour was released, but now with incredible strength, and enchanted with spells of Unbreaking III, and Bound to the very Soul of each owner. By the 1st of the 6th cycle magical spells were also imbued over the bread, torches and guidebook given, so they could not be lost by the owner so easily... Now animals were also soulbound for the people to start their farms. The magical horse, cows and sheep; and saplings and wood planks to start a simple homestead. Finally, a magical compass, which was crafted to help guide the inhabitants around the Empire. To start even the Oak Planks were imbued with the attribute of Soulbound, however this was removed shortly thereafter as it was discovered that this wood could not be used to craft the usual items that oak planks can. Items as inscribed by Snowybearr; 1x Starter Helmet 1x Starter Chest 1x Starter Legs 1x Starter Boots 1x Starter Pickaxe 1x Starter Sword 1x Getting Started 1x Empire Assistant 1x Starter Horse 5x Sheep Eggs 5x Cow Eggs 16x Birch Saplings 16x Oak Saplings 64x Oak Planks 64x Torches 64x Bread +2,000 Rupees If you include starter plot: 1x Chest 8x Signs Signing up: +5000 Rupees Signing in first time: +5000 Rupees 16x Diamonds Later on the first day of the 6th cycle, in an act of great generosity, a new iron axe and shovel were also added to the items offered. These also were imbued with Soulbound and the unbreaking III spell. Lastly, new books were created for the upcoming tutorial, to better guide newcomers on their travels in the towns. Following several cycles of construction, the new tutorial for citizens was launched in the 10th cycle, and the new book was now a 50-page Guide to the Empire. Again prizes would be hidden throughout the construction, and Aikar & Krysyy offered a 10,000 rupee award to the first to find all hidden items, won by Qwerty189. I myself was welcomed through this current gate, and had the great fortune to encounter various secrets before completing and receiving my starter gear; and six hidden caches of valuables... or was it seven... Now come the days of the 9th Age, and once again the mighty Empire build a new entry into the realm; with special contributions from AlexC, EvilToade & chickeneer; a majestic span of sky bridges leading through the borders. As I crossed over these bridges I enjoyed the views off the sides to the town and the wilds of the types of builds one can experience within the Empire such as the Spawns and Pyramids... and almost expected to catch a glimpse of the walls of Eternia out there in the mists somewhere... Once again the specially crafted Starter Gear and equipment was redesigned and released anew. This time the long-awaited special Bow was gifted, with a quiver of arrows… but also a special new Shield of the Empire complete with the Unbreaking and Soulbound enchantments. The reissued New Player Guide was now signed by Krysyy and shortened to direct individuals to search for the complete information in the Empire’s wiki site. With the now quicker tutorial access, the hidden treasures that were previously granted for seekers were removed altogether, with all starter items granted immediately at completion. 1x Starter Helmet 1x Starter Chest 1x Starter Legs 1x Starter Boots 1x Starter Pickaxe 1x Starter Sword 1x Starter Axe 1x Starter Shovel 1x Starter Hoe 1x Starter Bow 64x Arrows 1x Starter Shield 1x New Player Guide 1x Empire Assistant 1x Starter Horse 5x Sheep Eggs 5x Cow Eggs 16x Birch Saplings 16x Oak Saplings 64x Torches 64x Bread 192x Oak Planks 64x Seeds 64x Stone 1x Water bucket Nowadays who knows what the future holds in store for any additional changes in the gifts offered to those arriving to the borders of this great Empire… - Raaynn Beiyra Darkstar Archmage, Scribe, Loremaster Humble servant of the Empire Raaynn