http://www.gamesites200.com/ultimaonlin ... hp?id=3531
I checked out the Lost Realms today. I have to say, there is much there I like a lot.
Plusses include a really cool custom map. The design is incredible...lots of new stuff to explore. They have Races (Human, Dwarf, Elf, Drow). Each Race has their own town, although anyone can live wherever they like. The Elves live in a city in the trees! All the towns are custom crafted, and it is so well done, you'd think they were always a part of UO. Housing is awesome ... custom static designs. It is a very pretty shard. Lots of flowers.
Very nice people. Non pk. No stupid names. RP is encouraged but not enforced. Although it is USUALLY an 18+ shard, they do sometimes make exceptions. I know they have for families. I will be happy to vouch for those of you I know, so MAYBE if you tell them you are from WoD and tell them you know me, they MIGHT accept your application even if you are under age.
Lots of WoD scripts so dot commands are the same, and a lot of stuff works the way we are used to (jobbing, questing, buying up skills). It is a Non AoS shard, so you won't find tons of gear with ridiculous buffs, but rather clothing buffs and magic weapons like WoD's.
In an effort to create a player based economy, most stuff must be bought from other players. Also, only one character is allowed to prevent people from muling. Those who want to be entirely self sufficient probably won't like that much, but it isn't really a problem for me, since I usually only have one character anyway. The bazaar is really cool though! They have an area set up specifically for shopping...each player can buy a covered wagon in the bazaar and put up to 3 vendors in it. This place will be great for craftsmen!
The player base seems very small at the moment, however, there seems to be a lot of people applying, and I am told the player base has doubled in the last week. It is a new shard...only up since May...and they are still adding stuff and looking for a new regular scriptor, so I don't know if the shard will last...I guess only time will tell...
It could be exciting to be part of a new shard though ... to be the REALLY OLDBIES who were there almost from its birth as some of you were here...I think I will stick around a bit and see how it goes. I like the idea of helping establish a shard.
If Drocket gets his shard up and running, I'll be there too. I plan to haunt Drocket's message board, and WoD's as long as it is up.
In the meantime, I would like to encourage others to give the Lost Realms a try. The only real problem I have with this shard is that you guys aren't here with me!
It isn't a gateway shard - you must apply on their forum for an account. However they are VERY fast about granting accounts. They try to get you online within 24 hours. I applied and received approval in an hour! If you decide to apply, tell them you are from WoD. I told Admin. Crystal that I would be trying to persuade my friends to come give it a try, and she was very sympathetic to our plight.
I hope to see some of you guys soon. No matter how great a shard is, it just won't be "home" without you.
*HUGS!*