Heart of Corruption Quest Finally Completed + Spring Eagle Tournament

[p]In a stunning development, the 2025-2026 class of Illyrians have finally manageed to solve the elustive Heart of Corruption quest, a puzzle that has baffled the server for 15 years. A multi-alliance team of game veterans and avid questers worked together tirelessly to trigger "Audrey" and get the complex, multi-faceted quest started again, this time receiving widespread support from a wide range of players to complete the quest.[/p][p][/p][p]The last time the server had gotten close to its completion was in 2014, though, in retrospect, that class only got about halfway through the HoC. This new attempt revealed never-before-seen phenomena, such as direct Melder attacks on quest cities and the unprecedented de-misting of the Misted Lands. [/p][p][/p][p]Those who completed the quest won one of 4 exclusive racial discoveries, which allow them to build 1 of 4 pieces of gear: the Elven Spirit Bow, Dwarven Champion's Armour, Orc Marauder Sword, and Master-Crafted Chainmail (stats to be updated soon.) [/p][p][/p][p]The final message to successful questers revealed what must be a recent edit to the old quest language, as it references the Giant Eagles -- a recent edit to the game that saw a rewriting of the Eaglesbrood faction:[/p][p][/p][p]“Sir, the most miraculous thing occurred this past evening, when the full moon came into its fullness across the horizon. Our troops, all wearied by the perilous journey and miserable conditions on this peak, did what they could to slumber in the cold, dank conditions.[/p][p][/p][p]As the light from the moon cast down its delicate light, there amid our camp, the weapon appeared, its resplendent finish reflecting the brilliance of the moonlight. Aside from what we thought were the faint sounds of laughter, we saw no trace of life, nor do we know how this thing came into our possession. My only assumption is that we have proven our worthiness in repelling the insidious force of the Heart of Corruption to the sublime forces that seek to curtail it, and our grand city has been gifted this incredible item.[/p][p][/p][p]It was my intention to guard this gift with my life and the full force of our army as we planned to break camp and head home, until yet another fantastic occurrence took place on this otherwise bleak mountaintop. There appeared from the east a great eagle – one of the mythical giant eagles of the Eaglesbrood – which I myself doubted as even existing![/p][p][/p][p]The eagle descended into our camp without making any hostile gesture, and introduced herself as Soronel. 'The Eagles have sensed that a great achievement has been made by those who inhabit these mountain peaks in the light of the full moon. As the Eagles serve the same light that you do in repelling the evil of the Corrupted Heart of Kumala, we wish to aid you in safeguarding this precious gift. Should you agree, I will transport it home to your city directly.'[/p][p][/p][p]At a loss for words upon being in the presence of such mystery and wonder, I nodded wordlessly in agreement and Soronel took flight, the 'gift of ages' held carefully in her grasp.[/p][p][/p][p]I trust that it will arrive safely into your hands, so that you may deliver it thusly.”[/p][p][/p][p]The new Giant Eagles-themed completion message segued perfectly into the February Spring tournament, which is now underway across the server. For the first time, alliances are competing to win sets of exclusive Giant Eagle units, which offer a perfect complement to the dragons that were offered back in the Summer. With an expanded prize pool, the tournament will give the top-10 alliances a chance to win at least 1 Giant Eagle unit![/p][p][/p]