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Kourend Chronicles: Lab Notes

Welcome to the Kourend Chronicles, a six-part series of tales from Kourend's murky past! You can see a full list of all the stories so far on our A Kingdom Divided round-up.

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[h3]Pentember 1st[/h3]

I am pleased to report that we have successfully retrieved the majority of the items in the Redoubt, with the exception of the Hammer itself. We expended just two assistants in the course of our investigation, and there is no hurry to replace them.

More importantly, it seems our assumption was correct. Each one of Dinh’s creations – with the exception of a few early experiments – are made from the same metal, and infused with the same magic you and I have become familiar with. Although the metal has proved unusually difficult to melt down, I have no doubt in my mind that should we find a vein of the appropriate ore, it would only be but a matter of time before we could fit our strongest soldiers with similar weapons and armour – in fact, I would highly recommend it.

However, there have been some… concerning developments. Several of my assistants, and even some of the guards, have reported a feeling of unease when working with the objects. Now, as you know, I have very little time for such superstitious nonsense. But it seemed unusual for the lizardmen to be affected. So I experimented.

Alone in a well-lit chamber with one of the lesser artefacts, the first human subject lasted four hours and twelve minutes before reporting deep unease and requesting to leave. Their lizardman counterpart managed six hours and twenty minutes.

Overnight, the results changed dramatically – one assistant (who has since been reprimanded) attempted to hurl one of the objects out of the laboratory window after just three hours and seven minutes. He is currently in the cells. This morning I found him cowering beneath his bunk, babbling about ‘being watched’.

Having determined that no physical effects resulted from the exposure, I of course attempted the experiment on myself. Armour and weapons that strike deep fear into our enemies would, of course, be highly beneficial – but unfortunately, after one night’s vigil, I was unable to pinpoint the source of the subjects’ fear. In fact, I felt remarkably at ease. I’d go so far as to say that I feel a kind of kinship with these objects – a strange sense that they want to aid our cause.

Still, should we seek to build on Dinh’s designs for our own armoury, I recommend doing away with the - admittedly striking - eye motif. Perhaps your own symbol would be a good replacement?

Before I sign off, there’s also the other matter you asked me to look into. I can confirm that the Bulwark of legend was among the artefacts abandoned in the tower – and if the rest of our contact’s information is solid, then I will also concede that it does indeed share some similarities with the Doors of Dinh.

It’s my hypothesis that the Bulwark was intended as some kind of early prototype – but it’s missing some key factor that made the Doors fit for purpose, an issue I discovered quite by chance after freezing an assistant during testing. That one will need replacing, I’m afraid.

How much do we know about Dinh’s life? His interests? His… allegiances? I sense the power of the Dark Altar in his work, but cannot entertain the idea that this lowly smith somehow learned more about it than you or I have managed. No, he must have obtained this power by some other means.

In any case, this missing piece of the puzzle has given me an idea. If we did decide to follow our contact’s proposed course of action and weaken the Doors, all we’d need to do is remove - or weaken - this extra layer of protection. We already know that without Dinh’s knowledge and expertise, the Doors cannot be repaired to the same standard. He took no apprentices. His hammer is well-defended, in territory we control. I’m not suggesting that we indulge our contact’s ridiculous plan, of course - but if managed carefully, the weakening of Kourend’s only defence against the Wintertodt would make a marvellous distraction from our true goal.

Regardless, it’s something of a moot point. When such powerful magic is involved, any disruptive action would be on the scale of decades, not days.

But I suppose there’s no harm in having a contingency plan. We have all the time in the world.

Yours faithfully,

X

Clans Full Launch - Weekly Update (26/05/21)



[h2]Hotfixes and Issues (May 26th)[/h2]

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Issues Raised
Current Progress
12:00 BST World 548 is not a PvP World.
12:29 BST (FIXED)
12:20 BST (STEAM ONLY) Clan Vexillum textures are currently not appearing correctly.
12:20 BST This issue will need to be coldfixed and will likely be implemented in the next game update (June 2nd).
12:31 BST (MOBILE ONLY) Players can't apply for Clans correctly.
12:31 BST This issue is currently being investigated by the team.
12:41 BST When doing certain skilling actions and wearing a clan Vexillum, the player becomes invisible.
13:43 BST A hotfix has been implemented to prevent certain actions being prevented whilst holding the Vexillum. We will continue to monitor and hotfix any other actions we deem necessary.
13:30 BST Some players have reported that when their clan members log out, their icons revert back to a guest icon when they are offline.
13:30 BST We unfortunately can't get rank information about someone who is offline, this is something we can't currently change but will be raised in our review.
15:00 BST Players are reporting issues with disappearing when using chairs inside the Clan Hall.
15:10 BST A hotfix has been deployed to resolve these issues. We will continue to monitor and hotfix any other actions we deem necessary.
15:00 BST The Blade of Saeldor can be recoloured to match the player's Clan clothes.
15:10 BST This issue is currently being investigated by the team.

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We're covering all things Clans this week, and can also reveal the four finalists for our A Kingdom Divided login screen competition! Plus, updates to music, merch and more!

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[h2]Clans Full Release[/h2]



Clans is finally here! For the full lowdown, get yourself up to speed with our comprehensive Clans Guide. We're looking forward to seeing your Vexillums flying high as you gather in the Hall for a celebratory pint or two!

Thanks to your feedback, we've made some slight changes to the text and icons for Clan ranks:

  • The Moderator's icon has changed from the silver crown to a gavel (hammer).
  • Hoarder is now spelt correctly.
  • The icons for Privates and Corporals have been corrected.
  • A new star icon has been added for the Sheriff title.
  • The previous Sheriff rank (Black Scimitar) has been renamed Ninja.

You can find the full list of ranks at the usual fountain of knowledge - the wonderful Old School Wiki!

Our release post covers all aspects of the Clan experience, but if you still have questions, you can bring them directly to us when we celebrate the launch of Clans on our weekly Q&A on Twitch! Join us on Thursday, May 27th at 17:00 BST in the Grand Exchange over on World 525.

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[h2]Music Player Changes[/h2]

With the new music modes launched a few weeks ago, a toggle has been added to the Audio tab in Settings. It's switched to Modern by default, but can be reverted to Classic if that's more your style.

In Modern mode, music tracks are assigned to large areas with tracks shuffling depending on your location. Classic mode is the legacy behavior, where each map square has its own music track.

Not sure which you prefer? You can easily compare the two using the Wiki maps! This mostly represents Classic mode (bar a few minor tweaks), while this shows Modern mode.

Right now these changes only impact the free-to-play map as Modern has not been rolled out anywhere else yet.

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[h2]Future Game Updates[/h2]

We've got some exciting updates coming in the next few weeks, so let's take a look at how things will unfold.

With next week's game update, you'll be able to try out the new Theatre of Blood quest: A Night At The Theatre, along with the two new ways to play: Story and Hard mode.

Then, to prepare for the launch of A Kingdom Divided, there will be no game update on Wednesday June 9th. But you won't have to wait long to experience the next chapter in the Great Kourend storyline, as A Kingdom Divided will be available to play on Wednesday June 16th!

By this point, all of the Kourend Chronicles will be released, and we'll be announcing the winners of the two competitions celebrating this quest series. You still have time to submit your entry for the second of these, the 'Story So Far' video competition - get your entry to us by June 4th. You can find all the details in our competition forum thread!

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[h2]AKD: Login Screen Competition Finalists[/h2]

We loved sifting through your entries for the first A Kingdom Divided competition! The team has now assessed all of your submissions and voted on the top four candidates, whose work will be included in a Poll on May 28th. The winner will be implemented into the game on June 16th, and feature on the login screen for all players to see! They'll also bag a £200 Amazon voucher and 12 months of membership.

There were a lot of great artwork submitted for this competition and it was a tough choice narrowing it down to just a few, so we wanted to say a massive thanks to everyone who took part. With that said, here are the four finalists:



A: Nancyy
B: Need Plums
C: Cherrycake4
D: Parkshinhide

Voting will close on Tuesday June 1st, so get your votes in now!

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[h2]PvP World Rota[/h2]

The PvP rota has moved to Period A:

  • 539 - (US) - PvP World
  • 548 - (Germany) - High-Risk PvP World
  • 577 - (US) - Free-to-Play PvP World
  • 559 - (UK) - LMS Competitive

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[h2]Merch[/h2]



There's plenty of nostalgic loveliness in store right now, as the latest merch celebrates all the wonderful things that launched in this month over the past 20 years!

  • Slayer Helm Range (Slayer Helm Pin and Keyring, and Limited Edition Red Slayer Helm Pin)
  • Limited Edition Rune Knight Armour Range (Saradomin, Zamorak and Guthix)
  • Limited Edition Glitter Max Cape Keyring (celebrating 10 years since the Max Cape was introduced and our first Max Cape Pin!)
  • Dharok's Greataxe Keyring, commemorating the introduction of the Barrows
  • Plus, restocks of the Woodcutting and Untrimmed Slayer Skillcape Keyrings!

Visit the store to grab yours here.

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[h2]Extras[/h2]

  • On Deadman worlds, the Camdozaal Vault teleport restriction is now checked before the teleport delay timer runs out.
  • Dagon-hai robes are now correctly listed as members-only items in the Defence skill-guide.
  • The Bonecrusher necklace now protects with higher priority on death.


That's everything for this week's game update! We'd love to hear your feedback so please let us know what you think via our official forums, on the 2007Scape Reddit, or the community-led OSRS Discord in the #gameupdate channel.

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Mods Acorn, Arcane, Archie, Argo, Ash, Ayiza, Banjo, Boko, Bonsai, Brow, Bruno, Curse, Daizong, Deagle, Dibber, Ditto, Dylan, Ed, Elena, Errol, Fed, Flippy, Gecko, Grub, Halo, Husky, Jndr, John C, Kandosii, Katies, Kieren, Kirby, Lenny, Light, Lottie, Mack, Maylea, MikeD, Morty, Nasty, Nin, Oasis, Roq, Ry, Sarnie, Squid, Steve W, Sween, Tide, Vegard, West, Wolfy & Zuko

The Old School Team

A Guide To The Clans System



So here we have it: the brand new Clans system! We're sure you can't wait to start your Clan and head out on a marauding mission. But there are loads of great features to explore, and we wouldn't want you to miss anything. So, read on to find out how to create your Clan, find new members, assign your hierarchies, run events and generally live out your ultimate Clan-tasy!

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[h3]Clan Hub[/h3]



First things first, wannabe Clan-atics will need to head for the Clan Hub, located in the south-eastern corner of the bustling Grand Exchange. Here you can set up or join a Clan or head through the portal to a Clan Hall.

If you've got a question about setting up or joining a Clan, chat to the Clerk. This fine fellow is your go-to for all your basic info. He will also give you your Clan's Cape and Vexillum, which will display your signature Clan icon (and help you dazzle when it comes to advertising to new members). Basically, he's your new best friend, so head to him first.





Next, the Recruitment Board is your one-stop shop for recruitment and applications. Whether you're looking to advertise for new members, or want to find an already-established Clan to call your own, the board is the key to finding your fighting fam.



Once you're part of a Clan, step through the ripples of deep blue that is the Clan Portal! This will take you to the Clan Hall. It will be your Clan's base for social gatherings, event preparation and more!




[h3]Creation[/h3]

It's really easy to create a Clan! If you'd rather browse Clans to join instead, you can head straight down to the Recruitment Board section of this blog for more info.

To create your own Clan, you'll need to have spent at least 25 hours in-game, and have at least five players gathered in the Hub to form a Clan (players can always leave after the Clan is formed). You can have up to 500 members.

Providing you meet these requirements, head over to the Clerk. By asking him "Who are you?", "What's a clan?" and "I would like to create a Clan", you can begin the process.

Most importantly, you'll need to give your new squad a name! Will the name reflect you, the Clan leader? Or tell a story? Or brag about your group's might and muscle? Be aware, you only have 12 characters to play with and there are limits on there are limits to how often you can change it, so choose your name wisely! The Clan Database will then double-check if your name is available. This name isn't automatically reserved, and you'll need to hit Create to claim it for real.



Alright, time to invite members into your group! There are two methods for inviting people: you can right-click a player in the area to invite them, or use the Invite button on the Clan Creation side panel. Note that this panel is only available in the Hub, and only to those who are not in a Clan already (we'll touch more on inviting other players to your Clan later).

The Clan Creation side panel has the following options:



  • Invite: Press this and click on a player to recruit them.
  • Clan Name: This does not reserve the name - it only checks whether it's available.
  • Confirm: This button checks that you have the required number of people, and if you didn’t select a name already, it will ask you what unique name you’d like for your Clan. Once everything is ready, a Clan will be formed with the initial founder as the owner. Ranks for members will be set up automatically, but these can be changed at your leisure (more on this later).
  • Cancel: Ends the Clan creation process, if you are the initial founder. Founding members can also access the button, but don't worry, it will only allow them to leave the Clan. Cancelling does not count towards your daily limit of forming one Clan - you can interrupt as many Clan formations as you want. Once the Clan has been confirmed you will be unable to form more that day.



[h3]Clans Settings[/h3]

Congratulations, you've just started your very own Clan! This is was your first big decision as Clan Leader, but don't worry... we've got plenty more options for you to toggle and tweak! On your control menu, select the Clans panel (two smiley faces) and you'll find three sub-sections:



  • Chat-Channel (Yellow): This section will allow you to create and join different chat channels within your Clan, and customise who can enter, speak and take action inside your group discussions.
  • Your Clan (Dark Blue): This is your main way of keeping an eye on your current Clan members, checking details about your Clan and playing with the settings.
  • View another clan (Cyan): Check out the competition! Use this tab to search up any registered Clan, have a look at their members, and more!

Let's take a deeper dive into the Settings options we've just mentioned, as there's a lot to unpack here.

On the initial panel you'll find a quick overview of your Clan size, who the owner is and the creation date, along with the following information that can be changed:



  • Name (A): Click here to change it, up to once per week. Other players can click here to report you if your Clan's name is offensive.
  • Home World (B): Set the main world your Clan will call home.
  • Ownership (C): Shows the current owner and gives them the option to resign (or delete the Clan, if there are no other members).
  • Interests (D): Highlight the interests of your Clan (PvP, Raiding, Iron players, etc) so you'll show up on relevant searches.
  • Talk in chat (E): Set which players can use your chat.
  • Guests may listen in chat (F): Allow guests to see the Clan chat (and decide whether they're able to participate).
  • Clan Banner (G): The way your Clan will stand out from the rest... by clicking this you'll be able to customise your Clan's banner and colour, which will feature on the items you can receive from the Clerk!





[h3]Events[/h3]

Want to get your Clan together to take on Theatre of Blood, battle a rival Clan, or just Chill & Skill?

The Events tab is the home for all of your upcoming activities. You and high ranking members of your Clan will be able to create events, and it's super easy:

1.Use the Edit Mode button on the bottom right of the interface and then the Create button.



2. Adjust your settings to fit the event, and when you're happy with your choices, hit Create.



3. Press the Finished button once you've created all of the events you want to showcase.



By using the Edit Mode option, you'll also be able to select any event and edit its details, as well as delete any that aren't relevant anymore.

For the final 24 hours before an event, any Clan member that logs in will receive a notification letting them know about it. This will only happen to the player once per day.


[h3]Members[/h3]



The Members list will show you a complete list of every loveable rogue in your Clan, as well as a plethora of juicy data.

From the drop-down menus at the top of the interface, you can select from the following options: Rank, Joined, Last Seen, Skill Total, Combat Level, HiScores and Expel.



Say you only want to have a look at Rank 70s and above - you can add those filters to your members list. Each of the filters selected will have a handy tip at the bottom that will tell you the limitations of the data. Or, maybe there's a current member you're looking for? You can simply use the magnifying glass in the bottom left to search for them.

Not only can you see certain stats here, but you can also take action in a worst-case scenario! Selecting the Expel option will allow you to remove members from your Clan... but we hope you won't need to do this. You can also change the standing of a member by selecting the Rank option and then clicking on that player's rank.


[h3]Applicants[/h3]



So, the Clan's looking good. Time to grow your number, maybe? Advertising your Clan is the best way to go about expanding your new 'Scaping crew.

Within the Applicants interface, use the Invite Applications button on the top left of the box to show the world you're ready to recruit. Note that you'll have to set the Combat level and Skill Total restrictions with the buttons along the top. Only want the best of the best? This is how you find them.

Once you've begun inviting applications, wannabe recruits will be able to click the Apply button. They can do this from anywhere in the world - you won't have to meet up with them if you don't want to. For maximum visibility, you can also list your group on the Recruitment Board in the Clan Hub.

To accept an application to your Clan, simply click on a name in your applicant list, and you'll instantly see all their stats. If everything looks good, click Accept. If someone doesn't quite meet your criteria, then you can simply hit Reject. All players, whether they've been accepted or denied, will receive a message within Game Chat letting them know the verdict.



If you feel that your Clan has enough members for the meantime, click Stop Inviting Applications.


[h3]Hall[/h3]

We'll sink our teeth into the full capabilities of the Clan Hall a bit later on, but with this menu, you have a few options that can help you control access to this sacred space. You're the bouncer now!



  • Home World: Restrict the use of the Clan Hall to your home world.
  • Lock Hall: Lock the Hall so that no more people can enter (those already inside can remain).
  • Player Count: Restrict how many people are allowed inside.



[h3]Permissions[/h3]



Time to make sure your Clan is managed in the right way. Here's what you can do from the Permissions menu:

  • Permission Access: This is the grand command. Set what ranks of members can edit all the settings in the Permissions interface. Make sure to be careful with this setting - with great power comes great responsibility, and all that...
  • Management: Set who can manage rank titles, assign member ranks, edit recruitment settings, expel members, edit your public profile and change the icons/colour of your Clan.
  • Chat: Change who can talk, kick people from the chat and wield the mighty ban button. Set the guest minimum combat level, skill total, quest points and Iron status.
  • Events: Set the parameters for who in your Clan can organise/edit events and who can send and receive challenges for Clan Wars on behalf of the Clan.
  • Coffer: The purse strings! Decide who you can deposit and withdraw from the Clan's Coffer.
  • Clan Hall: Choose how your members can enter the Clan Hall.

Any changes will be applied automatically, so make sure to choose the right ranks for Permissions. All ranks positioned above the selected one can also edit those options!


[h3]Titles[/h3]



This is where you set the hierarchy within your Clan. If you don't like the default naming conventions for these ranks, check out the list on the right-hand side. By simply clicking on the desired title and dragging it over to the appropriate rank, you are able to rename all of your ranks apart from Guest, Administrator, Deputy Owner and Owner. You can also swap already assigned titles between different ranks, by click and dragging the title from one rank to another. Once you're happy with your choices, press Save.

You can find a full list of available titles and ranks here thanks to our friends at the Old School Wiki team!


[h3]Bans[/h3]



The Ban list will show you all current players that are barred from joining the Clan's chat, or entering the Hall as a guest. You can search for specific players by clicking the icon in the bottom right corner of the interface. Reset the search filter by clicking on the icon again.

If you need to add a player to your list, use the Add button and then type in the name of the player and hit enter. If you're looking to do the opposite, then simply click or right-click and select Un-Ban on the player.


[h3]Leave Clan[/h3]



If you wish to join another Clan, or you want to go back to being a lone wolf, the Leave Clan button is your escape. Remember, if you are the owner of a clan, you'll need to resign first!

If you're looking to step down as leader of your Clan there's a 7 day countdown before you can do so, alternatively if the Clan has no members, abdicating will delete the Clan instead (along with a 7 day countdown).


[h3]Clan Recruitment Board[/h3]



The Clan recruitment board allows you to advertise your Clan, or find a Clan that suits your inimitable style. By clicking on the board, you'll be greeted by an interface showcasing a list of different styles of play on the left side, from UItimate Ironmen to free-to-play. Use the ticks and crosses to filter the results, or Reset to start again.

You'll be able to see all the Clans you're eligible to join, and you can sort them by name, size and date created using the filters at the top. If you find any offensive names within the list, please do right-click and select the Report Name option (thanks!).


[h3]Applications[/h3]



Ok. You've found them. The Clan of your dreams. This is the big one.

Fortunately, applying is super easy! All you have to do is click on the Clan and you'll be greeted with an overview screen.



Hit the Apply button on the left-hand side. A confirmation box will appear. If you select Yes, your application will be submitted. If you've changed your mind about the Clan you've applied for, you'll be able to click Withdraw from the same screen.

For owners and recruiters of Clans, head over to the board and make sure that Invite Applications is active on the Applicants menu in your Clan Settings (or use the Applicants button on the Recruitment Board interface). Once this setting is on, you'll be able to push the List Your Clan button on the Recruitment Board. You can de-list your Clan at any time using the same board.


[h3]Clan Chat[/h3]



Now that you've either founded or joined at Clan, you can get to gossiping. As we mentioned in last week's post, your chat options have changed slightly, and you'll see that a new box has been added for Clan Chat.

By using the Clan panel on the chatbox, you can send messages using '//' or '/c' followed by your message (assuming the higher ranks of the Clan allow your rank to do so).

Some Clans you're not a member of will allow you to join the chat as a guest. Search for the Clan's name in the View Another Clan section (teal) of the Clans control panel. By using the Find button, you can search for any registered Clan. If a Clan is found under that name, you'll be presented with three new options:



  • Chat: This will allow you to join a Clan's chat as a guest, if possible. Once you've joined as a guest, you can chat with '///' or '/g', as long as the Clan settings permit it. Guests can exit from a Clan chat by pressing Leave.
  • Settings: This shows you Clan details, and may give you the option to apply if applications are open.
  • Discard: This allows you to clean your search, and takes you back to the original screen.

The Channel button on the chatbox is what was the original Clan chat, and this can still be used to join other chats you're interested in. By going to the double smiley face (yellow) on the Clans control panel you can create your own chat with the 'Setup'. You can set this up in any way you want by right-clicking any of the option boxes on the left-hand side and selecting the appropriate settings. You can type in this chat by typing '/' in the text box. If you're only looking to chat in someone else's channel then you can simply hit Join and type the player's name.


[h3]Clan Halls[/h3]



Every registered Clan will have their very own hall to call their own. It's the perfect place to hold team meetings, get prepared for your next adventure, or simply hang out with some fellow Clan members and soak up those exclusive-club vibes!

Who can enter your Clan hall is dependent on Permissions. If you're a high enough rank to enter a Hall, then you can simply click on the portal.

Once inside, you'll be greeted by a grand room with luxurious furniture, ornaments and more. If you fancy hanging around with some other members, grab a beer (for five coins) from Raqueel at the bar, and take a seat at one of the many tables.



If you're hosting a merry event and want to set the mood, head on over to the Piano and you can entertain your members with a recital of your choice! Encore! This option will let everyone in your Clan hear your tinkling, so before you start smashing the keys, remember you have an audience. If you just fancy a quick practice, then right-click and press Play Quietly to, err, keep that racket to yourself.



If you're playing quietly, you don't just have to use the mouse to interact with the keys either; players with a keyboard can use buttons in the number row including: ` - = and BACKSPACE to jam on the piano.



On the first floor, you'll find a range of useful features including an Altar, an Oven, a Sink and a Bank. Your Bank has all the usual facilities, including four bank booths, a deposit box and a poll booth, plus the all-important Clan Coffer!



Relevant members will be able to add and withdraw money from the Coffer, with the maximum value of 1,000,000 coins being held at one time. As the Clan system's infrastructure is so new, we've set this limit to the Coffer for safety. If it functions well, we will be able to raise this limit in future. Players are not notified when someone puts money into the Coffer, but are always notified when someone takes money out of it.

Iron players will not be able to withdraw or deposit any money from the Coffer. Even in a Clan, the Iron player remains on their own!



That's everything for Clans. As ever, we'd love to hear your feedback, so please let us know what you think via our official forums, on the 2007Scape Reddit, or the community-led OSRS Discord in the #gameupdate channel.

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Mods Acorn, Arcane, Archie, Argo, Ash, Ayiza, Banjo, Boko, Bonsai, Brow, Bruno, Curse, Daizong, Deagle, Dibber, Ditto, Dylan, Ed, Elena, Errol, Fed, Flippy, Gecko, Grub, Halo, Husky, Jndr, John C, Kandosii, Katies, Kieren, Kirby, Lenny, Light, Lottie, Mack, Maylea, MikeD, Morty, Nasty, Nin, Oasis, Roq, Ry, Sarnie, Squid, Steve W, Sween, Tide, Vegard, West, Wolfy & Zuko

The Old School Team

Clans Soft Launch - Weekly Update (19/05/21)



We're so excited for the release of Clans next week, we're positively shaking with Clan-ticipation! We've got some new information about the chat system and hierarchies this week, so read on to find out more. We also look ahead to A Kingdom Divided with another competition, and announce the winners of the Jad Challenge. Let's get into it…

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[h2]CLANS: SOFT LAUNCH[/h2]

It's just one more week to go before the arrival of Clans! We're so looking forward to the release of the highly anticipated system. It's not only a great new way to play in its own right, but will also establish the fundamental groundwork we need to build the upcoming Group Ironman. Exciting times!

The Clans Hub in the Grand Exchange.


We also know that you're eager to set up your Clan hierarchies, so we've worked with the fantastic Old School Wiki Team to bring you the full list of ranks and titles you can assign to your clanmates.


Clan Name Pre-Registration

If you applied to secure a Clan name for the upcoming release, we'll be sending out confirmation messages this week. For those of you who have made it to the next stage of the process, your message will include an invite to a Discord server, and the Discord tag of the staff member who will be helping you. You'll need to jump on the server and arrange a time to meet with us in-game and receive your name. Please keep an eye on your player inbox and don't accept any links from Discord tags other than the one named in the message. If you missed it, check out last week's newspost for more details.


Chats

Communication is key with Clans! To keep on top of your Clan chat, we've offering a new option to change the colour of each different chat type, so your Clan confabulations can be a different colour from your other conversations. You'll find some new options on the 'Chat' tab within the Settings menu.

Additionally, the legacy chat channel that was known as 'Friends Chat' has been renamed. The old text will now appear in the 'Channel' tab of the Chatbox, freeing up the 'Clan' tab for next week.




Anything To Report?

This week's update will mainly focus on behind-the-scenes changes in preparation for next week's release. So, if anything is not performing as expected, please use the in-game bug report form. You'll find it by right-clicking the red REPORT button at the bottom of the text box, and selecting the 'Report game bug' option. Here's a short guide if you're stuck.

That's it for the soft launch. The Clans system will be fully accessible with next week's game update on May 26th. See you there!

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[h2]A KINGDOM DIVIDED[/h2]

You might notice a new quest on your list in this update. A Kingdom Divided is just around the corner, so we wanted to make it easy for players to check if they meet the quest's requirements before the big launch in June. Take a look and see if you're ready to take on this enthralling new adventure!

Today also marks the start of the A Kingdom Divided 'The Story So Far' Video Competition. Remember that all players now have access to the Oculus Orb, a device that gives you total control over the camera, making it easier to capture gameplay within Gielinor! Want to try it out? Head on over to Draynor Village and speak to Diango to claim yours today.

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[h2]JAD CHALLENGE WINNERS[/h2]

Tzhaar Ket Rak's challenges have concluded. With our verifications complete and all prizewinners contacted, it's time to announce the winners!


Fastest Times

1st Place: RITA ORA (4 minutes 12 seconds)
2nd Place: Jacobs (4 minutes 18 seconds)
3rd Place: rank2curse (4 minutes 24 seconds)


Raffle
Winner: AlwayzJarvin


Most Unique Kill

This was a tricky decision to make. You're an innovative bunch! We've decided to award a couple of special mentions who will receive three months of membership alongside the overall winner and their prize of six months of membership.


WINNER: Unpredictbie

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Special Mention #1: Woox

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]


Special Mention #2: MolgoatKirby

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]


Congratulations to all of our winners. Please keep an eye out in your player inbox for news about your prizes!

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[h2]OTHER NEWS[/h2]

PvP World Rota

As promised last week, we are switching the world rota to a new system. Worlds will no longer be changing from PvP activity worlds to regular worlds and back. Instead, the regular worlds will be available full time, while the worlds that are for PvP/LMS will be turned on and off depending on the week.

This means players who had used the current worlds when they were not intended for PvP/activities will now have them full time, while PvPers/those who want to play LMS will need to use the new worlds on the rota.

This week sees the rota switch to period B and the worlds are as follows:

  • 560 - (UK) - PvP World
  • 579 - (US) - High-Risk PvP World
  • 561 - (UK) - Free-to-Play PvP World
  • 580 - (US) - LMS Competitive


Those with a keen eye will notice that the LMS casual worlds are no longer in the rotation. These will remain active in both regions from now on.

Next week, when we've switched to period A, we will use the following worlds:

  • 539 - (US) - PvP World
  • 548 - (Germany) - High-Risk PvP World
  • 577 - (US) - Free-to-Play PvP World
  • 559 - (UK) - LMS Competitive


Extra Tweaks:
  • Dragon and Infernal Harpoons can now be decorated using the Trailblazer Ornament Kit. Previously the Harpoons had to be used on the Ornament Kit, not the other way round.
  • A misplaced bit of wall has been removed from Hosidius.
  • A sound effect has been added to Cerberus' lava pools attack.
  • The Prayer level-up messages for Dragonbone and Bonecrusher necklaces have been corrected.
  • Players who are battling it out in a board game will now be able to chat to the opposing player in the trade chat, similar to when you trade a player. Why not strike up a chat with your board buddy?
  • All crystals collected during the Watchtower quest can be re-obtained, right up until the quest has been completed.
  • The Armadylian Guard NPC is now the Armadylean Guard (the one that sometimes spawns when following Elite clues).
  • The spelling of 'Misthalanian' in the book The Sleeping Seven has been corrected to 'Misthalinian.'


That's everything for this week's game update! We'd love to hear your feedback so please let us know what you think via our official forums, on the [url=https://www.reddit.com/r/2007scape/comments/ng1o0s/clans_soft_launch_game_update_190521/, or the community-led OSRS Discord in the #gameupdate channel.

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Mods Acorn, Arcane, Archie, Argo, Ash, Ayiza, Banjo, Boko, Bonsai, Brow, Bruno, Curse, Daizong, Deagle, Dibber, Ditto, Dylan, Ed, Elena, Errol, Fed, Flippy, Gecko, Grub, Halo, Husky, Jndr, John C, Kandosii, Katies, Kieren, Kirby, Lenny, Light, Lottie, Mack, Maylea, MikeD, Morty, Nasty, Nin, Oasis, Roq, Ry, Sarnie, Squid, Steve W, Sween, Tide, Vegard, West, Wolfy & Zuko

The Old School Team

Kourend Chronicles: A Curious Client

Welcome to the Kourend Chronicles, a six-part series of tales from Kourend's murky past! You can see a full list of all the stories so far on our A Kingdom Divided round-up.

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“Ah, you're after that old tale, are you?” The mercenary chuckled and set down his flagon on the table. “Well, stranger, I hope you’re sitting comfortably, because it’s a long one.”

He stroked his beard and settled back into his chair, its aged joints creaking.

“Let’s see now… it all started just after they lost the Accord, back in the 135th decade. The lizardmen were pummeling the border and we young recruits were sent out to face ‘em. It was a shame, really. My whole battalion were just boys, like me – and we weren’t ready for a fight. We were cornered. I got bit, and the others got caught up in the charge, left me lying there in the mud. I don’t mind telling you, I was terrified. I thought that was it.  

“That’s when she appeared – a miracle. She came storming out of nowhere, cutting down lizardmen left and right until they all turned tail and ran. I’d never seen anything like it – or anything like her, for that matter. Tell the truth, I weren’t certain she wouldn’t turn on us next. Her skin was grey and craggy, like it wasn’t skin at all. Like rock, it was. And her eyes – they were a bit like yours, actually, ‘cept they were blue. Bright blue, and they shone with a strange light that didn’t seem… well, altogether natural. No offence, like.

“With the lizardmen gone I managed to get myself up out of the mud to thank her. She looked me up and down, said something about ‘maintaining the balance’. I was all groggy from the poison, so I didn’t pay it much heed. All I could do was keep telling her that I owed her my life, and that any time she needed a favour, she could come find me.

“When I finally stumbled back into camp, I slept for three days. When I woke, I chalked the whole thing up to delirium and thought no more of it. That is, until I saw her again.”

The old man tapped his leg with a resounding woody thunk.

“After I lost my leg, they chucked me out. But I was young - I could still make something of myself, I thought. So I was minded to sail east and try my luck on the mainland. Signed up with the Traders’ crew, ready for a trip to... ahhh... Port Sarim, I think they called it?

“The morning I was to sail I turned up nice and early, only to be met at the docks by this woman, looking like she hadn’t aged a day. Gave me a fright, I tell you. By the cold light of day she was even stranger than I’d remembered – and twice as vicious looking, too.

“Now, I could have walked on by. To a creature like that I imagine one human looks much like the others. But I’m a man of my word, so I give her the time of day – and by Saradomin, I’m glad I did!

“Like I suspected, she’s here to call in that favour, and it comes with a bonus. 1,000 gold, upfront – and that was a lot back then. AlI needed to do, she said, was take some old trinket or other over to the mainland and hide it there.

““There’s just one catch”, she told me. Under no circumstances was I allowed to open the chest it came in. It all sounded easy enough, and like I said, I’m a man of my word, so I gladly took the job. She handed over the gold there and then, wouldn’t take no for an answer, not that I really pushed the issue. I thought that’d make a good start for me on the mainland.

“Obviously I didn’t tell the captain about the woman, the favour, any of it. I just kept the chest – big, grey and purple thing – in my berth and told everyone it was full of ugly jumpers from my gran. Nobody so much as batted an eyelid.

“But we weren’t even one night into the voyage when the chest started talking to me. I was up on deck, watching the lights of Port Piscarilius vanish over the horizon, when I hear this… this whisper right in my ear. It says:

“Take me back.”

“I put it down to the wind, that first night. Y’see, I’d never before been on a boat, so I thought it perhaps some trick of the sea. Or maybe my crewmates was pulling a prank on the new recruit.

“But then I kept hearing it. Never during the day – only ever at night. It started out all friendly like. “I can give you power beyond your wildest dreams,” this, “Wouldn’t you like to live forever?” that. I didn’t trust it. My gran, formidable lady she was, used to patrol up near that old fishing village, in the north. She taught me that there’s things in this world you don’t ever wants to listen to – and I reckoned this was one such thing.

“The closer we got towards the mainland, the nastier it turned. It talked about how I didn’t know what I was messing with. It said that when it regained its strength, it would remember my name, and where I came from, and what I’d done. But that just made me more determined not to listen.

“The last straw came when I woke up one night to find myself standing over the chest with a chisel in my hand, readying to break it open and let out whatever evil was locked within. Knowing I could trust myself no longer, I snuck down to the cargo hold and stashed it behind a crate of bananas that very night. It made the whispers a little easier to ignore, at least.

“When we landed in Port Sarim I used my first day of shore leave to hike all over the countryside, and that thing talked to me the whole time – begging, threatening. I think it knew what I was doing.

“See, I’d always liked a puzzle, and I thought anyone looking for a thing like this would have nefarious business in mind. I figured I should send any soul who came looking on hopeless errand, hoping they’d bore of the hunt long before they ever found it. Then here’s the best part – I paid a farmer 3 gold to bury it in his pig pen, ‘cause who’s gonna scrabble around some stinky hovel like that for more than a minute?

“Far as I was concerned, I’d held up my end of the bargain. Job well done, if you ask me. I went back to the pub that evening, bought my crewmates a round of Black Skull Ale…“

The old man lifted his tankard.

“… and I’ve been drinking it ever since!”

A half-hearted cheer went up from the tavern’s other patrons. The old man grinned, took a long gulp and then wiped the froth from his beard with a satisfied sigh. The stranger looked on in silence.  

“So, stranger,” the old man said, “I’ve travelled all over the world and never seen someone like you. What brings you to Kourend?”

“Just looking for an old friend.” The stranger said. His voice was cracked and dry sounding, like the inside of his throat was all dust and sand.

“Thank you for the story. It was most helpful.”

The old man nodded politely.

“Actually,” the stranger paused, and pulled out a tattered map from the folds of his cloak.

 “There is one last thing you can do for me. I’ve never been to the mainland – where did you leave that amulet, again?”

The old man hesitated, then jotted down a few, swift notes on the map.

“Why, thinking you’ll take up farming?” he chuckled. The stranger smiled back at him, thinly, and then took his leave.

The old man finished his drink in silence. Perhaps he shouldn’t have misled the stranger. He was old too, judging by the creak in his bones and the croak in his voice, and he didn’t necessarily have trouble in mind.

But something the stranger said had set the gears in his head turning. After all, he had never mentioned anything about an amulet...