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Post by Duke Pikachu on Nov 9, 2018 14:17:53 GMT -5
So a few major things just happened! First, the Lost Desert and Sakhmet map got updated to HTML5! They look nice and most art assets are re-used, but there are some notable new additions.  Starting with the Lost Desert map, Qasala has been fully rebuilt!  It looks nice, and good to see that in some way Neopia is progressing in at least some parts of it. We also have some ruins right next to Sakhmet, intriguing but you can't click on it.  Going to Sakhmet it too looks as it did but now there's this mansion titled "Xendrik's Mansion" to the right. Right now it's just a story dump about the Xendrik family, only really notable part about it being the current head of the house, Aymas Xendrik, is the current warden of Sakhmet. What this exactly means I have no idea, I always thought that General Dacon was in charge of the Sakhmet guards but apparently not? Or are the palace guards different from the street patrol guards? I suppose the warden could also works under the general, they being in charge of the daily routines, but the warden is also said to be maintains close cordial relations with both the royal families of Sakhmet and Qasala. However bigger trouble seems to be brewing in Sakhmet, as if you try to go to any of the shops you're first asked a question. The questions seem to lean towards if you're a Qasalan or not. If you answer in a way that you are, you're not allowed to shop. If you answer in a way you're not a Qasalan, you're allowed to shop with no trouble at all. Don't worry, if you get "kicked out" you can just re-enter and try again, it seems to be more here for story building that there's a sudden tension between Sakhmet and Qasala (which oddly didn't get a HTML5 update). The only shop that's a exception is the Medicine shop, saying that you are from Qasala will have her say that she's suppose to turn you away but as a medicine woman she's not going to do that so you can shop but keep out of the view of the guards. This is notable because, it's not just the shopkeepers being patriotic that they're turning Qasalan's away, the Medicine shopkeeper indicates it is actually ILLEGAL for Qasalans to shop in Sakhmet and any shops letting Qasalans shop there are in trouble (probably getting a fine and maybe losing reputation). This is some serious segregation going on here. Now some have suggested this may have to do with the upcoming GMC maybe being Sakhmet VS Qasala, but them making it illegal for Qasalans to shop in Sakhmet seems to hint it's a bit more than rivalry in a friendly competition. And with them introducing the Xendrik family and Aymas Xendrik, the current warden who probably would have the power to give such an order, things seems to just be starting up (though curious is Amira is aware of this, while she detests Jazan she's in good relation with her cousin Nabile. Jazan would have to REALLY mess up for Amira to go ahead with this even if it means slighting Nabile). CAN'T WAIT! |
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Post by Liou on Nov 9, 2018 14:59:24 GMT -5
AYMAS XENDRIK
vvv
SYKE IM XANDRA Solved it! 8D (Well I hope that's not it, but.) |
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Post by Moni on Nov 9, 2018 15:39:32 GMT -5
the main map looks nifty!
AND THE LITTLE RIVER SPARKLES.
how to make things look better with minimal effort, by jumpstart lol. i kinda like xendrik's mansion, reminds me of ye old neopets things like the kiko lake tour lol
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Post by Huntress on Nov 9, 2018 16:13:50 GMT -5
Aw heck, I've been on a sort of hiatus from Neopets with the view of getting back into it once they finally release that mobile version and I can play comfortably on the couch again, but the Lost Desert is one of my favorite worlds and plot goodness will always be plot goodness. Let's see where this goes.
Quite frankly, considering the history between Qasala and Sakhmet (LOL HAI we're your new zombie neighbors, also give us your princess) the surprising part isn't that there's animosity between the two but that it took so incredibly long to happen.
...unless of course this turns out to be born out of some squabble over who gets to represent the region in yooyuball or something.
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Post by doctortomoe on Nov 9, 2018 20:57:21 GMT -5
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Post by Moni on Nov 9, 2018 20:59:53 GMT -5
you know what they should have put that in the neopian times lol also there's actually a coup happening in sakhamet??? over foriegn aid??? this is the most realistic event neopets has ever had??? |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2018 21:09:29 GMT -5
Wow what is this real life-like politics doing in my good and innocent Neopets?? |
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Post by June Scarlet on Nov 9, 2018 21:36:32 GMT -5
I'd like to hear Qasala's thoughts on this.
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Post by Jae on Nov 10, 2018 9:37:47 GMT -5
I'd like to hear Qasala's thoughts on this. I think Qasala's thoughts might be the focus of the event given that its map is still conspicuously Flash despite the LD main map and Sakhmet being redone. We might even get some more locations added to flesh it out a bit more. |
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Post by Breakingchains on Nov 10, 2018 13:32:16 GMT -5
you know what they should have put that in the neopian times lol also there's actually a coup happening in sakhamet??? over foriegn aid??? this is the most realistic event neopets has ever had??? I know right, this is uncharacteristically topical. Not that I'm complaining. |
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Post by Blueysicle on Nov 10, 2018 13:53:18 GMT -5
That bit about the Battle Supplies shopkeeper asking for your papers proving you're not a Qasalan is more than a bit relevant to current events as well. ._.
At least the Emergency Supplies shopkeeper isn't a racist nitwit, so that's good to know.
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Post by Twillie on Nov 10, 2018 14:50:23 GMT -5
Lol some of these questions they ask, it's like, look I may not be from Qasala, but it doesn't mean I'm from Sakhmet by default either. I don't visit your shop enough to know the exact price of this particular item that's not in stock right now x3
That actually has me wondering, are prices for individual items always consistent when they restock? From how arbitrary the numbers are, I just assumed they were random and just stayed in the same general range.
Also I love when they ask me a question and I answer right, they're like, "Ah yes, you are worthy to purchase from my stocks then. Please, feel free to browse, hopefully I have what you need." And then nothing's in stock. That sounds like a good comic idea, actually x3
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Post by doctortomoe on Nov 10, 2018 15:48:12 GMT -5
Lol some of these questions they ask, it's like, look I may not be from Qasala, but it doesn't mean I'm from Sakhmet by default either. I don't visit your shop enough to know the exact price of this particular item that's not in stock right now x3 That actually has me wondering, are prices for individual items always consistent when they restock? From how arbitrary the numbers are, I just assumed they were random and just stayed in the same general range. Also I love when they ask me a question and I answer right, they're like, "Ah yes, you are worthy to purchase from my stocks then. Please, feel free to browse, hopefully I have what you need." And then nothing's in stock. That sounds like a good comic idea, actually x3 It might be the est. value of the item. All items have an est. value. |
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Post by Herdy on Nov 10, 2018 16:03:38 GMT -5
The shopkeepers don't care if you aren't from Sakhmet. As long as you aren't from Qasala. It's just a boycott of Qasalans.
(and a peasant revolt involving a military coup)
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Post by Duke Pikachu on Nov 10, 2018 17:35:46 GMT -5
Updated the thread to mention the name of the event. So last we left off, the news released a newspaper-like article (JS, you could have used the Neopian Times instead of making up a Lost Desert newspaper) explaining what's happening: Sakhmet citizens are unhappy with Amira spending resources in helping Qasala rebuild, they've surrounded the palace preventing Amira (and I guess anyone else in the palace) from getting out. Not only that, the GUARDS joined the protesters helping to prevent her from escaping. Like, what? Wow, General Dacon must have been REALLY lax when teaching the guards discipline in order for them to pull this stunt. As @herdygerdy said this is pretty much a military coup. The only way I could see them explaining away why it isn't is if the guards, while agreeing with the protesters, also aren't going to let anyone harm Amira as they only want her to see reason. Though still that's stretching it and even after this is all over if those guards think they'll still have a job, well, I actually wouldn't be surprised if they spend the next few years in the dungeons for this mutiny. Also there's no way for the palace to communicate with the outside at all? They don't have any magical devices that let them communicate? I can believe the guards blocking off exits and keeping physical messages from being sent out or in, but unless they have a powerful magic user any magical way they have communicating (which if they don't have is just plain stupid) probably wouldn't be blocked. Also there's no other world leader taking interest in this? Granted, the Lost Desert always seemed alone in events though Amira has had meetings with the leaders of other lands. Nothing drastic of course, but something like Altador would send over some negotiators to try and peacefully talk this out. Also they're referring to Amira as "queen" now. I'm curious if this was a mistake on JS's part or they decided to do some time progression there and have Amira deciding it was time to take the title of "Queen" instead of waiting to get married. But of course, while this explains the situation, the more notable reveal is the name of the event: Lyra & the Lost Heirloom. Lyra being the daughter of Aymas Xandrik and his wife, Lelia Naharoo, who is Qasalan. So far it seems like the Xandriks may not be involved with this directly, having the title of "Warden of the Lost Desert" as a whole instead of just Sakhmet. Though considering Lelia is Qasalan (and Lyra is half) I wonder how this is affecting the Xandrik household. Not to mention what's Qasala's thought on all this, a protester leader specifically called out Nabile for manipulating Amira. Though, considering the second part of the event's name, the Xandrik's may have something else to focus on (though it'll no doubt tie back into the protest and tension between Sakhmet and Qasala). Wow what is this real life-like politics doing in my good and innocent Neopets?? I'm surprised no one has made a "make Sakhmet great again" joke, or they have and I just didn't see it. But yeah, JS, you're walking on egg shells here. Now I don't see them going deep into any political commentary, the focus sounds like it's going to take a very sudden shift, but already the paranoid levels of the shopkeepers does give an uneasy impression off. That actually has me wondering, are prices for individual items always consistent when they restock? From how arbitrary the numbers are, I just assumed they were random and just stayed in the same general range. Also I love when they ask me a question and I answer right, they're like, "Ah yes, you are worthy to purchase from my stocks then. Please, feel free to browse, hopefully I have what you need." And then nothing's in stock. That sounds like a good comic idea, actually x3 Yeah, the stock price isn't set and often differs from the estimated value if I recall. Like the Basketweave Vase that Osiri says isn't worth over 2k, actually it does sell for over 2k in her shop. You can see a Basketweave Vase being sold for near 2,232 NP thus thinking that's the "right" price only to be told you're wrong. I can see all the questions being made into a joke: Peopatra's Petpets:Peopatra: Are you from Qasala? An Obviously Dressed Qasalan Customer: ... No. Peopatra: Welcome! Lost Desert Foods:Shopkeeper: How much does a Lost Desert scratchcard cost? Little Kid: Um, 300? Shopkeeper: WRONG! I only sell serve the good folks of my city. Little Kid: But I'm not allowed to by scratchcards, and I bought from this stall dozens of times! Osiri's Pottery:Osiri: How much is my Basketweave Vase? Customers sees Basketweave Vase on sale for over 2k: Well it's not exact, but 2,232? Osiri: Wrong! Customer: Are you admitting your merchandise is overpriced? Sakhmet Battle Supplies:Shopkeeper: Papers. Sakhmet Citizen: What papers? I've lived in Sakhmet all my life, I don't carry around my passport or birth certificate with me. Shopkeeper: TRAITOR! Sutek's Scrolls:Sutek: Where are you from? Pant Devil: From the Gallery of EVIL. Sutek: As long as you're not from Qasala, welcome! Lost Desert Medicine:Shopkeeper: Are you from Qasala? Qasalan: I am, can I shop here? Shopkeeper: Oh dear, I'm suppose to turn you away but... *shifty eyes, pulls lever to reveal secret stash of black market goods* Make sure the guards don't see. If you got the cash, I got the goods, dig? |
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It looks nice, and good to see that in some way Neopia is progressing in at least some parts of it. We also have some ruins right next to Sakhmet, intriguing but you can't click on it.
