First, as you've no doubt noticed, there's now a Terms of Service
agreement prior to logging into the game. This is really nothing to
worry about, as it literally changes nothing about how we operate or
what you can do; it's merely a way to make sure everyone is aware of the
terms under which we've operated all along. If you have questions about
it, feel free to e-mail me at varian@aetolia.com.

Second, we now have a system of critical hits to make things more
interesting for bashers as they get to higher levels. Technically
there's a remote chance that you'll see critical hits as low as level
25, but you won't see them with any frequency until the higher levels,
closer to 70-80.

Finally, you'll find that Qeddwyn is stocking three new types of
artifact:

-HOOD OF ELUSION (2000 cr): Hides you from nearly all mortal abilities
that reveal your location. The only way for another player to counter
this effect is to wear an artifact of their own (not borrowed) with the
elusion power. However, that countermeasure only generally works for
one-time abilities such as 'sense,' as opposed to abilities that track
your position continuously. When combined with a cloaking artifact, this
makes you very difficult to find indeed.

-BATTLE STANDARD OF ARION (750 cr): This artifact emits an aura of
bravery and leadership that boosts the morale of troops under your
command. When wielded, it causes troops you command to fight especially
bravely in battle, gaining a 20% bonus to their combat effectiveness and
capturing territory 20% faster than normal.

-BRACERS OF DEVASTATION (300, 600, or 1200 cr): Gives additional
likelihood of scoring critical hits. Each level of this power grants an
additional 2% chance of scoring a critical hit every time a blow is
landed on an NPC. So an artifact with level 3 critical_chance confers an
additional 6% chance of scoring critical hits.

-Varian

Penned by my hand on the 6th of Ios, in the year 91 MA.