Shields

[cddanforth]

Hey all,
I was looking through some of the shields, and noticed that the Glittering Ice Shield, while increadibly bad ass, costs xp just to maintain which isn't all that attractive to me at this point. Either way I'm not strong enough to use it yet which got me thinking about other shields.
Any advice on good low to mid level shields that someone with MR77 and SP114 could acquire? I'm using the kite shield currently which is MR3. Any thoughts would be welcome!

P.S. I've been trying to unlock Gralgarak's tomb, and just can't seem to find the guy in the stoneback tavern that is supposed to start me off. Apparently the only pre-req. is having had all the other hawklor encounters (Tasserick, the old man that gives you AT's etc.) which I'm certain I've done. Is it possible that I need to actually complete all the Hawlor adventures as well? Not a huge deal, but it is kinda frustrating. Thanks in advance!

[wetheril]

If you want to borrow a shield from Tallys and have a few to spare right now, I recommend the Goblin Blocker (http://sryth.wikia.com/wiki/Item:687_Goblin_Blocker) shield. It is 12 ATs, and gives you +4 to MR, and +1 to SP. When you outgrow that shield, you could always take it back to Tallys and get your ATs back.

Edit: To talk to the guy who unlocks Gralgarak's tomb, did you choose to mingle in the common room of the tavern? Tasserick is different--he is a white-haired man (in red text) that is an extra option aside from mingling in the common room. And he unlocks a special location in Sageholt.

[thingirl]

To get Gralgak's Tomb, you have to have completed Caves. Weather or not you have the key, you can get the adventure. If you haven't done caves, I would do it NOW.

And as Wetheril said, you can get a Tallys shield and return it later for a full refund.

As for the Ice Shield, it rarely melts, and then it only costs 16 XP per level.

[cddanforth]

Thanks a ton! That's exactly what I was looking for :) good to know about the ice shield, but in the meantime the one from Tallys sounds perfect.
*sigh* I have indeed done the caves of westwold, and every other Hawklor quest save the giants, and the orb. I suppose I'll try the orb and see what happens, since it is connected to one of the hawklor encounters. Keep my fingers crossed :)

[cddanforth]

P.S. Also have yet to do blizzard in the hills

[wetheril]

You're welcome. I'm glad that was helpful to you.

Have you met the man with the painted face in the tavern yet? I think Caves of Westwold, the Man with the Painted Face, and The Lone Rider are the only quests you need to have completed to open Gralgarok's tomb. This is the page (http://sryth.wikia.com/wiki/Quest:Gralgarak%27s_Tomb) on it from the wiki.

[thingirl]

I don't think you have to see the Man to get to Gralgak's. Layla hasn't and look what she's wearing. (Gralgak's Shield.)

[cddanforth]

You're welcome. I'm glad that was helpful to you.

Have you met the man with the painted face in the tavern yet? I think Caves of Westwold, the Man with the Painted Face, and The Lone Rider are the only quests you need to have completed to open Gralgarok's tomb. This is the page (http://sryth.wikia.com/wiki/Quest:Gralgarak%27s_Tomb) on it from the wiki.

Sadly I have :( I even kept the granite key. I'm really hoping that the orb quest will open this up since it's really a continuation of the encounter with the old man.

[cddanforth]

I don't think you have to see the Man to get to Gralgak's. Layla hasn't and look what she's wearing. (Gralgak's Shield.)

Jodd Halther Is apparently the guy that get's you to the tomb (and the one stoneback tavern encounter I can't seem to trigger). I may just try to get it with one of my alts just to make sure it isn't just this charachter.
If you mean the old man that gives you the AT's then likely the orb quest won't solve this. Ah well, thanks for all the advice all the same!

[shadowblack]

You must mingle in the common room in the tavern and complete the encounter with the tavern roughnecks before you can access Gralgarak's Tomb. The Man with the Painted Face is NOT related.

[wetheril]

Oh right, that's true Thingirl and Shadowblack. The man with the painted face is an AG-only encounter, and non-AG members can access Gralgarok's Tomb. (Though, I suppose if you're AG, you'd want to get those auto-triggered events out of the way first.)

[cddanforth]

Okay, i just double checked and have definately done all of the encounters you all mentioned. I went and finished the orb quest as well and still no luck
:( ah well, it's still very helpful to know what worked for you all since I at least know I'm not missing something. I figure it's either a bug or maybe you need to resolve the stoneback tavern encounters a particular way in order to unlock this.

[thingirl]

As a general Sryth rule, talk to everybody you can. If you still can't find him, I'd email the GM (gamemaster@sryth.com).

[cddanforth]

Will do Thingirl,
I hate to bother him with such a small issue, but I'm getting frustrated enough that it may come to that. Thanks again for all the advice. I'm always amazed at how helpful folks on this forum are!

[Oldschool]

Good luck cddanforth, it sounds like a glitch or we're all overlooking something obvious. It's possible but I highly doubt it that the pre-req's have changed. I'm thinking of the recent new content at the Stoneback - Rough Night at the Stoneback and Underfoot. However, I highly doubt it and I wouldn't worry or try to complete them before asking the GM. Either way the GM should straighten it out if you have to go that way.

Also a tip - it's usually quicker to notify him via the in game system when reporting bugs/glitches.

As Thingirl stated the Ice Shield's melting is very infrequent. Also you need general xp to level it along with a few other items but acquiring that much shouldn't be a problem especially since it takes at least 37 days to get it and to be realistic a month and a half or more for most folks. By that time you should have enough general xp if you remember to hold onto it relatively easy. Possibly the best "free" item in the game, if not definitely on the short list.

Plus once you get it you get to toot your own horn loud and long as many of us have. :D

[thingirl]

I remember making a complete idiot of myself in front of mom. I was raising such a ruckus, and she didn't have any clue what this Ice Shield I was talking (well, actually yelling) about even was. It's a Sryth milestone.

[cddanforth]

Good luck cddanforth, it sounds like a glitch or we're all overlooking something obvious. It's possible but I highly doubt it that the pre-req's have changed. I'm thinking of the recent new content at the Stoneback - Rough Night at the Stoneback and Underfoot. However, I highly doubt it and I wouldn't worry or try to complete them before asking the GM. Either way the GM should straighten it out if you have to go that way.

Also a tip - it's usually quicker to notify him via the in game system when reporting bugs/glitches.

As Thingirl stated the Ice Shield's melting is very infrequent. Also you need general xp to level it along with a few other items but acquiring that much shouldn't be a problem especially since it takes at least 37 days to get it and to be realistic a month and a half or more for most folks. By that time you should have enough general xp if you remember to hold onto it relatively easy. Possibly the best "free" item in the game, if not definitely on the short list.

Plus once you get it you get to toot your own horn loud and long as many of us have. :D

Ahhh that's really good to know. I was drooling all over my keyboard when I saw that shield, but I figured the catch was having to pump XP into it constantly in order to keep it from melting. I was about to spend a bunch of XP I've been hoarding, but after reading this I think I better hold onto it.

Also hadn't thought of doing the new Underfoot quest. It's certainly worth a shot while I wait for the GM to get back to me. Excellent advice all around Oldschool, very much appreciated!

P.S. Heheh You're not alone Thingirl! I have had some VERY strange looks thrown my way from family members over the years when I've finally gotten whatever uber item i've spent countless hours grinding for in various games.

[Joddelle]

I usually refrain from collecting my Quickstone Bonus XP for the last couple weeks prior to getting the shield. That way, it's usually enough to level the shield all 7 levels, or pretty close.

[wetheril]

Ahhh that's really good to know. I was drooling all over my keyboard when I saw that shield, but I figured the catch was having to pump XP into it constantly in order to keep it from melting. I was about to spend a bunch of XP I've been hoarding, but after reading this I think I better hold onto it.

Also hadn't thought of doing the new Underfoot quest. It's certainly worth a shot while I wait for the GM to get back to me. Excellent advice all around Oldschool, very much appreciated!

P.S. Heheh You're not alone Thingirl! I have had some VERY strange looks thrown my way from family members over the years when I've finally gotten whatever uber item i've spent countless hours grinding for in various games.

Yes, the Ice Shield is definitely a hallmark of achievement. :) And as Thingirl and Oldschool said--the melting really isn't much of an issue by the time you do get the shield and are able to charge it up fully, as it doesn't really happen that frequently. I've usually encountered melting at most once a day, but it often doesn't melt for days, even a few weeks.

As for the new Underfoot quest: I recommend doing it after you've gotten most of your powerful items and all your skills and powers because:

There is a pretty tough optional battle that is 9+ at MR 200, but very rewarding in exp if you do it. Having some key combat items on hand can help you with winning that battle.

If you do e-mail the GM about Gralgarok's Tomb, I hope you get a speedy response, and good luck!

[cddanforth]

O man, heheh I guess it'll be some time before I give the Underfoot quest a shot in that case.
You all have certainly gotten me excited for the ice shield! If I end up blowing my general XP savings (which is highly likely) then I'll definately use that quickstone like you said Jodelle.

Just as a side note, I went back and redid the early Hawklor encounters with an alt exactly as I had with my main and found the gralgaraks tomb guy without a hitch. That combined with what everyone has said makes me think it's just a bug. Much rather have that then have it turn out that I screwed something up!