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A little known freeshard called The Expanse

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Michtymog 17 Posts April 09 2014 01:58 GMT #1 Hi there, I'm trying to invite new people to try our shard. It's been a small personal project spanning over several years and working off a shoe-string budget. But tens of thousands of hours of gone into creating and balancing this place, to try and create a truly unique PvM experience for those who play and love Ultima Online. We are an SA, no-skillcap shard with 375 stat cap. Very custom, professionally-designed and lots of fun. expanse.dyndns-free.com port 2593 Download our custom client here. At The Expanse there are features you might enjoy, such as: -More crafting than you can shake a stick at. -Pet-levelling and Breeding system -Biopets/Evo weapons -Rainbow Mounts (Pets that resurrect) -A phenomenal amount of classic systems sourced from RunUO, debugged, balanced and integrated into existing systems. Such herb gathering, gardening, Yard Ward - over 50 incorporations. Everything free to earn within the game. Massive In-House Custom Expansions: Star Wars -Play as Jedi or Sith with unique Force Powers -Harvest a focussing crystal using our unique harvesting system -Craft your own light saber (45 in total, with nearly unlimited combinations of enhancments. -Huge complexes to explore at the Jedi and Sith Academies. (33,000 piece builds) -A new Peerless dungeon, (The Tomb of Marka Ragnos) laiden with rare items and quests. -Unique rewards such as your own bonded Sith Hound Pet, The Skull of Marka Ragnos and the Gauntlets of Marka Ragnos -A new mini-champ dungeon (The Tomb of Naga Sadow) Indiana Jones: Raiders of The Lost Ark Temple Of Doom Last Crusade -Embark on UO-style re-imaginings of the classic Indiana Jones films -Three Long, challenging and fun chain quests -With several unique dungeon builds, puzzles and XML magic you'll not encounter in most other shards. -Earn wondrous prizes such as the Ark of The Covenant, the Sankara stones. Army of Darkness: -A Halloween project from 2013. With a reactive Haunted house hidden in the mountains. -Fun quests to find the Necronomicon and defeat the Army of Darkness -Win unique gifts such as your very own Vanity deadite pet Weekly Events and Standalone games Ultimate Skullball Arena (Weekly Event/standalone pvm/pvp feature,) Rungrin's Obstacle Course (Weekly Event/standalone pvp feature.) Chicken Rage Tournament (Event/standalone pvm/pvp feature.) Collectable sets: The Blessed Shield quest awards (Rare) Up to 37 different decorative shields attainable via the custom quests Craftable dragonhead trophies: Kill custom dragons for their skin and skulls to craft personalised mounted trophies. World Bosses with rare gear and valuable loot drops: Many, many in-house custom missons. The Crimson Raiders -A unique and repeatable thievery mission - infiltrate the ranks of a criminal organisation, steal and retrieve the artifacts on their person and return it to the museum in Vesper. -Karma-rewarded option missions The moonshine runners have been exporting Lord British's beer from their hide out. Take out the heavily armored mule train before the Bootlegger gets back to their destination where their summoning ball is. Return the goods to the town sheriff in Skara brae, or simply sell them on for profit to Grubbins the Bandit smuggler. And much, much more. much, much more. Please, like our Facebook Page to show your support. And, if you wish, download the client and play. Enjoy a truly wonderful PvM experience, stay or go, everyone and anyone is welcome. Best wishes, Mogster/Michtymog (Content Creator and Developer of The Expanse)

Kelberot Brazil364 Posts April 09 2014 06:22 GMT #2 My lord, this is insane. The amount of random complete systems you've added... I can't play UO anymore, it's nothing like the game I used to play, but this is CRAZY. So much effort/work into something so niche, it's insane. I'd love to give it a try but, as I said, no longer playing UO.

Michtymog 17 Posts April 09 2014 10:00 GMT #3 The lead scriptor (And also owner) has worked tirelessly over the years - he's very good at his job. Granted there many places with as many systems in place, but very few that make an effort to stabilise, integrate and balance them, so that they don't negatively impact upon the game. And really no worries, glad you enjoy the post, at any rate. Thank you for your comment

Michtymog 17 Posts October 15 2014 06:09 GMT #4 The Expanse offers a more realistic "base" UO experience as close to OSI as you can get without paying subscription fees every month. What does this Mean? Simply put, the basic OSI-style shard is there and available, but extra content is added on Top of it. We've taken the best aspects of OSI and created unique custom content to enhance your UO experience. Even now, there are an incredible amount of things for yourself, your friends or your guild to do. In addition, New content is constantly being developed, created and added. In terms of PvM content, you will be hard pushed to find Another shard with as much to do as Here. The Expanse also boosts forums that are full of Great support information from players and staff alike. Some Great features such as the bestiary, an in-game and online store, a treasure map archive and zoomable treasure Hunter map.. We are currently supporting clients up to patch 7.0.12.1 and have been online for over 3 years. What you need to join: Download our custom client. Using Razor or UOSteam enter the following details: Address: expanse.dyndns-free.com Port: 2593​ Also, be sure to Like our Facebook Page and join our forums to keep updated. Here's a short list of the things we've got to look forward to when you join: Evolution Weapons Vampires and Werewolves (Now, both playable factions and featuring spawn with unique AI) 24/7 Staff support (automated in-game support and actual real staff members) Reward Scrolls system used for purchasing hundreds of different items from the Reward Shop In-depth Gardening, Herbing and Cooking with over 100 seeds to plant in your personal garden! Use of the improved deco tool and Yard wand - decorate your house to your wildest imagination, Innumerable crafting systems: Firerock Crafting, Aquarium Crafting, Mystic Bowcrafting, Pillow Crafting, Weaving, Medical Crafting, Artist Crafting, Necrocrafting, Firework Crafting. Many fun minigames including: Battle Chess, Yahtzee, Lottery System, Liars dice and Bomberman. And some in-house creations, such as: -Rungrin's Odorous Obstacle Course -Ultimate Skullball League​ -The ChuckleAtron Arena (AKA Chickenatron Arena) - featuring Chuckle Chuck, The Great Chuckle Race, ChuckleAtron and the Chuckle Pit. Some more features: In-game Instant Messaging! Burial System, Exclusive Custom Goldpanning, and Graverobbing RainBOw Mounts Postal System New Player Dungeon (specifically geared towards New characters on The Expanse for FAST SKILL GAINS!) Hundreds of custom monsters, some designed for group play, some for tough SolO play and some just to laugh at while you smite them from your noble steed! Exclusive Custom Advanced Pet System Complete with breeding, Pet leveling and increased elemental damage after level 35. Bio-Engineered Pet System Tons of custom dungeons (Token dungeons, instanced dungeons, regular dungeons). Custom Holiday Content (Easter, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas). Bless Bags and Crafting Bags. Skill Ball and Stat Ball for New characters. Stat Window for checking all your character's Stats. [​IMG] Online Store -100% of all "donations" go to support the server and you get things you WanT/need! PvP Point Reward System (Rewards can be purchased with Points received from honorable combat). Quest Points System (Rewards are given every 30 Days to the player with the most points per month). Tonnes of Quests! Indiana Jones™ expansion, Complete with custom quests and dungeons! Book Publisher. Hundreds of custom artifacts. Custom Tour Guide. Custom Artwork. Custom House Deco (Walls, Doors, etc). Custom Maps. Our Star Wars™ expansion offers 3 New playable classes: Jedi, Jedi Exile and Sith! Complete with Light Side and Dark Side spells. Many quests, two New dungeons to explore, a brand New peerless BoSs (Marka Ragnos) and a fearsome Mini-boss (Naga Sadow). Unique spawn with completely New AI. And, most excitingly Lightsaber crafting with very own crystal harvesting system! Sailboat Transportation system for Trammel. Townhouses (Rentals, Rent-To-Own and Buy Outright). and Lots more - you just have to play to Believe! Get started at The Expanse and join in on an absolutely unforgettable experience, that you'll find nowhere else. Guaranteed. Regular and fun events. Just look what we're doing this Halloween: Fun mini-quests with fantastic deco rewards! Candy Capers Perilous Pumpkins Town-wide Vampire VS Werewolf warfare An entirely unique Werewolf and Vampire spell system, factional PvP and PvE, new AI for Vampire and Werewolf spawn Gladiatorial combat in The Wolf and Sword - Player VS Werewolf. Make a wager and try not to die. Powerful Vampire and Werewolf gear (Only wearable by Vampires or Werewolves) Daily World Bosses - The Lycan King and The Master. The Doom Drop! - Free Halloween costumes on certain Doom spawn And Slender Man... A recreation of the Slender Man game in Ultima Online. So, tempted yet? ​ Read more at PlayUO.org Or Visit Our Web site screenshot archives

The_Masked_Shrimp 425 Posts October 15 2014 09:16 GMT #5 Awesome work, made me want to go back on the free RP shard with a LOTRO theme, spent more than 5 years on it. I know it can be hard to run a server like this so GL with it !

Michtymog 17 Posts October 18 2014 08:46 GMT #6 It has indeed been very hard work. This is the product of well over 10,000hrs of hard work on my part, and a good deal more by the owner, Tass23, who along with myself have kept The Expanse going for nearly four years now. I find great joy in being able to explore the fullest depths of creativity that working behind the scenes as a developer offers. But it's always nice when it's appreciated, so thank you for your kind complement.

Kronen United States732 Posts October 18 2014 12:14 GMT #7 Well they say it takes 10000 hours to master something so you should have it down by now As a complete UO newbie, there is nothing I have to purchase to play on this shard? I'm particularly interested in the star wars themed expo; is there a wiki or reading you would suggest going into it? It's always nice to see excellent passion projects like this! Keep up the good work!

Michtymog 17 Posts October 19 2014 08:03 GMT #8 Not at all, no. We were very sure to enable our players to have the ability to earn every item through hard work and determination. That includes command gear (Increases your follower slots), every storage key, bank boxes, bless deeds, infinite crafting tools, ethies, etc/ All of these items can acquired in game by playing - no monetary purchase required. As for the wiki, it's something we've both considered but time-constraints have prevented anything like that taking off (Which is to say we have one, but we're talking about 4 year back date, so it's a rather daunting prospect.) Particularly now, since October is probably our most busy of time of year, development-wise - we do an incredible amount for it. The following is a selection of promo work done just for this one month and that's not including the videos I've either produced/yet to: And there's still more to come. lol

Michtymog 17 Posts October 21 2014 04:49 GMT #9 Here's a little more info on our latest release - Vampires And Werewolves: While not exactly a new system, vampires and werewolves have been completely re-worked to provide a much more playable class. Vampires and Werewolves have also been split into factions and are opposing one another. Vampire players will be able to hunt werewolves and Werewolf players will be able to hunt vampires for points to earn rewards. 1. Vampires A. Changes and Improvements Two new forms have been added: Fog and Raven. All three vampire forms can travel at mounted speed, but only while in that form and certain spells require you to be in a given form. Sunlight damage has been removed and the thirst/hunger system has been adjusted to work off a two-hour timetable. Vampires also have a "home base" where they can get their gear repaired (for a price) and they may obtain various vampire quests. The Ancient armor pieces have been combined into a 6-piece armor set with set bonuses. The stat bonunses have been altered slightly: Str + 4, Dex + 6, Int + 8. The "Bite Chance" has been increased to 5% chance to spread the infection when you bite a player. Using the Bite ability also regenerates 10 HP. Vampire Window has been re-designed with a larger Bite button and includes buttons for all three forms. (Note: You must switch back to human form to switch between various vampire forms.) B. Spells - Casting Skill: Spirit Speak Damage Skill: Focus 1. Super Strength: Adds a strength boost based on damage skill. 2. Telekinesis: Can be used to manipulate doors, trapped chests, etc. 3. Psychic Link: Borrows into the Third Eye of your target causing severe brain trauma. 4. Blood Drain: Causes your target's blood to boil doing massive, internal damage. 5. Petrify Field: Summons a wall of terror that petrifies monsters with fear. 6. Miasma: Single target poison spell. 7. Shadow Vale*: While in Fog form, you can cast shadow vale, turn invisible and move around. 8. Harden Flesh: Forces your skin to toughen increasing certain resists. 9. Cursed Blood: Creates a life link between the caster and target. Both targets take equal damage from each other temporarily. 10. Leech Weapon: Allows the caster to invigorate their weapon with life stealing properties. 11. Raise Undead: Allows the caster to target any corpse and summon an undead ally for a limited time. 12. Vampiric Presence: A powerful energy force radiates from the caster's body causing energy damage to those nearby. (*Note: Shadow Vale requires you to be in Fog form to be used.) C. Vampire Spawn Only the vampire boss has a chance to drop one of the set pieces. 1. How do I become a vampire? Walking around near the entrance to the Vampire lair, you will find Crease. Speak with him to begin your journey into darkness. 2. Werewolves A. Changes and Improvements One new form was added: Werewolf. Both forms can travel at mounted speed, but only while in that form and certain spells require you to be in a given form. Werewolves also have a "home base" where they can get their gear repaired (for a price) and they may obtain various werewolf quests. The Ancient armor pieces have been combined into a 6-piece armor set with set bonuses. The Stat bonuses have been altered slightly: Str + 8, Dex + 6, Int + 4. The "Bite Chance" has been increased to 5% chance to spread the infection when you bite a player. Using the Bite ability also regenerates 10 HP. Werewolf Window has been re-designed with a larger Bite button and includes buttons for both forms. (Note: You must switch back to human form to switch between either Werewolf form.) B. Abilities - Ability Usage Skill: Animal Lore Damage Skill: Anatomy 1. Lurking*: You harness the power from your Wolf form and blend into your surroundings. 2. Dreadful Howl: Your howl penetrates your target's defenses causing the next harmful event against them to be magnified. 3. Piercing Howl: Your howl causes intense physical pain within your target's ears. 4. Paralyzing Howl: Your howl causes your target to become paralyzed with fear. 5. Deafening Howl: Your howl causes your target to lose courage, which lowers their strength. 6. Toughen Skin: You bark which raises your: Fire, Cold and Physical resists by 10, but lowers your Poison and Energy resists by 15. 7. Inciting Howl: Your howl lifts your spirits and invigorates you making you feel stronger. 8. Berserker: Your howl sends you into a crazed state causing extra damage to one type of target. 9. Rallying Howl: Your howl exhilarates your party members, which regenerates their health and stamina for a time. 10. Rampaging Howl: Your howl makes the very ground beneath your feet tremble and shake causing damage to enemies nearby. 11. Horrific Howl: Your howl causes certain enemies nearby to flee in terror. (*Note: Lurking requires you to be in Wolf form to be used.) C. Werewolf Spawn Five new types of werewolf spawn have been added. Each type drops Tattered Clothing (some of which has stats and can be repaired by the werewolf vendors in the werewolf "home base") and they can have a chance to drop various pieces of five different levels of armor. (Note: Only the werewolf boss has a chance to drop one of the set pieces.) 1. How do I become a werewolf? Walking around near the entrance to the Werewolf lair, you will find Argantz. Speak with him to get in touch with your inner animal. 3. Vampire and Werewolf Boss dungeons Van Helsing Questline Players obtain the quests to enter the dungeons from Professor Van Helsing. The Professor can be found outside Blackthorn Castle in Brit-Tram. His assistant, Jonathan, is there as well selling Lycanthropy and Vampirism cure potions. Quest requirements include gathering new materials (Silver Ore, Fresh Garlic, Silver Stake and Holy Water). Upon completion of the quest, players will be given two ancient tomes (which will open a portal to the dungeon of their choice), a random talisman (protection against vampires or werewolves) and one key. Dungeons are only active from 8pm to 8am (real time EST + 6). (Note: Players only get one key per quest, per 24 hours.) Quest Item List Silver Ore: Can be mined up from the Solen Ant hives in Fel and Tram where the queen is located. Ore can be turned into ingots just by double clicking the ore and targeting a forge, 1 ore = 1 ingot. Fresh Garlic: Can be found in and around Grizelda's cabin. Silver Stake: Unblessed sivler stakes can be crafted through Carpentry with Fresh Garlic (5), a board and Silver Ingots (3). (Note: Unblessed silver stakes are under the Weapons list in the Carpentry menu and require at least 70 carpentry to craft. Blessed Silver Stake: Once the silver stake has been crafted, players must take it to the Grail Temple on Fire Island and dip it in the fountain. The Blessed Silver Stake will become a powerful weapon to be used against the Vampire or Werewolf boss. (Note: The silver stake only has 1 durability, so you get one chance to use its awesome power against the boss.) Holy Water: Can be obtained from the fountain inside the Grail Temple on Fire Island. (Note: Players will get 5 bottles of plain Holy Water.) Holy Water Bomb: Combine plain Holy Water (1) with Fresh Garlic (1) in a bottle and do significant damage to the vampire and werewolf bosses. (Note: Holy Water Bombs are in the Alchemy menu under Explosion Potions.) 4. Armor and Set Pieces A. Vampire Thirty pieces of armor (5 each of Arms, Chest, Gloves, Gorgets, Legs and Legwraps), with the lowest end (Vampire Fledgling) having no stats and the highest end (Ancient) being part of the Vampire 5-piece Armor set. B. Werewolf Thirty pieces of armor (5 each of Arms, Chest, Gloves, Gorgets, Legs and Legwraps), with the lowest end (Werewolf Fledgling) having no stats and the highest end (Ancient) being part of the Werewolf 5-piece Armor Set. 5. Werewolf Tiered Fights Players may visit The Wolf and Sword tavern in Buc's Den and bet on a tiered match against werewolves. Players may enter the fight and face opponents of increasing difficulty until the final battle against the toughest of the werewolves. Players will be able to bet on their chances of survival at each tier level!

Michtymog 17 Posts October 22 2014 07:37 GMT #10 Some screen-shots of of latest Expansion - Vampire Vs Werewolves . The Den of the Werewolves. (Factional PvE and PvP) Becoming one of the pack Joining the Vampire ranks. The Lair of The Vampires. (Factional PvE and PvP) A werewolf class player has many poweful spells at their disposal As a vampire, you have formidable powers. Vanquish the evil - embark on an epic quest to become a hunter of Vampires and Werewolves The Den of The Lycan King - (Daily Boss Spawn) Entering the Lair of The Master - (Daily Boss Spawn) The Lair of The Master (Daily Boss Spawn) The dockside at The Wolf and Sword Make your wager and gamble on fights at The Wolf and Sword. Engage in gladiatorial combat in 1v1 fights against tough werewolf pitfighters at The Wolf and Sword (Unlockable tiered combat) Once defeated, you must make your wager again.

Michtymog 17 Posts October 24 2014 06:55 GMT #11 One of the awesome quests created for the Werewolf and Vampires expansion:

Michtymog 17 Posts October 25 2014 14:53 GMT #12 Another awesomely fun quest created for our extensive Halloween content - 2014 (Featuring Richard Garriott De Cayeux sorta.lol)

Michtymog 17 Posts October 30 2014 08:43 GMT #13 Our latest addition, just in time for Halloween: Slender Man - the game. This both a quest and an actual re-engineering of The Slender Man game in Ultima Online. Map and mechanics, we tried to be as faithful as we could. And it's lots of fun.

Michtymog 17 Posts November 08 2014 23:10 GMT #14 Heralding a new weekly event: Raider of The Lost Scrolls The foul necromancer Tarkana was thought to have been destroyed long-ago. In defeat, he used a temporal shift to phase his Black Pyramid into the Abyss where he spent a millenia crafting an unliving husk powerful enough to house his malignant soul. And now, he returns. Within the tomb awaits certain death, but also untold wealth to those with enough guile to survive within this dark fortress. Breaking into The Black Pyramid of Tarkana The way is blocked, you will be forced to dig your way through. Negotiate lethal traps and fight deadly monsters. The foul Necromancer, Tarkana, will not look kindly upon your intrusion.

Michtymog 17 Posts November 19 2014 12:01 GMT #15 There's an awesome new event happening this weekend: Heralding on Friday, 2pm EST: Extreme Sheep Herding - a three activity event including: Extreme Sheep Herding - Try to be the first to herd a sheep through a particularly deadly obstacle course. Wolf in Sheep's Clothing - Using Animal Lore/Tame find the wolf. Super Sheep Beauty Pageant - A simple event. Players are posed against one another to find the best sheep (Resists/Stats/Skills) Ewe'd be mad to miss it! Server: expanse.dyndns-free.com Port: 2593 Extreme Sheep Herding Deadly traps and stupid sheep, do not a good combination make. Unless, you're skillful shepherd, that is. Wolf in Sheep's clothing There's a wolf amidst the flock, be the first to save the sheep and find it! Super Sheep Beauty Pageant Vanity strikes everyone, even sheep. See if you can find and tame the best one!

Michtymog 17 Posts November 24 2014 18:20 GMT #16 A special Thanksgiving miniquest is now available for you to participate in. "A Feast for Thanksgiving" - help Shubin collect the ingredients he needs for his Big Thanking Meal. Rewards include: -Reward Scrolls -Chef gear (Increases your cookery skill) -Holiday Fodder for your enjoyment. -Thanksgiving Cornucopia

Michtymog 17 Posts December 03 2014 22:08 GMT #17 As part of the weekly events we have established another fun activity: Rungrin's Run The aim is simple, try to be the player that gets Rungrin's Baton to the end of the obstacle course. Rewards: -Reward scrolls for 1st,2nd and 3rd place -Gold, Silver and Bronze Runner Talismans. (20% 10%, 5% LRC /20/10/5 STR/DEX respectively.) -A special item for all particpants Traverse deadly pit traps across disappearing rope bridges. Retrieve Rungrin's Baton and try to escape into the teleportal to the next stage, be careful though - certain floor tiles may prove very deadly! Navigate and solve the Trap Switch Maze to enter the final maze. The Vineyard Maze will be your ultimate test. Can you get the Baton to Rungrin without stumbling onto a magical vine?

Michtymog 17 Posts December 10 2014 19:18 GMT #18 Some of the festive fun available at The Expanse: That Naughty Grinch The Grinch stole all the presents Santa was intending to deliver this year. Seek him out in Covetous and retrieve as many as you can. That Naughty Grinch Hiding in the depths of a dungeon is a man who's as mean and green as he is tall. He covetted Santa's wonderful presents, so he snuck in and took 'em, snatching each one both big and small. The Hum Bug Hunt Try to find the escaped Hum Bug. A very rare tame - only available during this festive period. The Hum Bug Hunt It seems that the nefarious Elves Anonymous (EA) have liberated The Hum Bug from Santa's Naughty Pen. You must defeat them before you can capture your prize. Your reward for finding the Hum Bug. (A random christmas item each time!) Bughum the Annoying Carolling Orc Every Christmas, Bughum likes to visit the Haunted house to annoy passing adventurers. Pay him gold and you'll get the finest carol an Orc can muster. Reindeer Roundup Escort the lost Reindeer back to Santa's Workshop. The Reindeer are scattered all over Britannia. Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer,Prancer, Vixen,Comet, Cupid, Donder and Blitzen - can you find them all and escort them home? A fun scavenger hunt to help Mrs Claus cook her batch of Christmas cookies. Search for each of the magical ingredients needed for Mrs Claus' cookies.

Michtymog 17 Posts December 23 2014 04:41 GMT #19 More festivities - freshly added The Twelve Waves of Christmas Champion fight: Champion spawns are common place, but how often are they accompanied by (A slightly amended) Christmas classic? Fight your wave through 12 increasingly tough waves of spawn - duly accompanied by the dulcet tones of none other than Lord Blackthorne himself! A brand new World Boss - Cyber Claus! Santa thought he'd save himself a bit of work this year and commisioned Sutek to create an automaton to carry out his festive duties. Unfortunately, he hadn't quite factored in that Sutek "The Mad" might deliver something entirely, well, unhelpful. Gather a group and help Santa reclaim his workshop from the menace that is Cyber Claus! Christmas Day Giveaway Who says every quest has to an epic struggle fraught with danger? Well, not for this quest, all that is required that you log in on Christmas Day and help Bella the Christmas Elf decorate her tree. Don't forget to claim your Christmas Day gift too!

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