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A History of Asheron's Call

Overview of Asheron's Call

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Gameplay and Features

Gameplay and Features

Asheron's Call (AC) was a fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Turbine Entertainment Software and released on November 2, 1999. Set on the island continent of Dereth in the fictional world of Auberean, AC offered players a vast, seamless 3D environment without zoning, allowing uninterrupted exploration across its expansive landscape. ​

Gameplay and Features

Gameplay and Features

Gameplay and Features


Players could create characters from various human cultures, such as Aluvians, Sho, and Gharu'ndim, each inspired by real-world civilizations. AC distinguished itself by not restricting characters to specific classes; instead, players allocated attribute points and selected skills like Unarmed Combat, War Magic, and Melee Defense, fostering diverse playstyles. The game emphasized a skill-based progression system, where experience points earned through combat, quests, and interactions were invested to enhance attributes and skills.


A notable feature was the allegiance system, promoting community building. Players could swear allegiance to a patron, forming a vassal-patron relationship that benefited both parties. This hierarchical system encouraged mentorship and cooperation, strengthening the in-game community. ​

Expansions and Updates

Expansions and Updates

Expansions and Updates

AC received two major expansions:​


  • Dark Majesty (2001): Introduced player housing and a new landmass, Marae Lassel, expanding the game's content and exploration opportunities. ​


  • Throne of Destiny (2005): Brought graphical enhancements, introduced the Viamontian race, and added new areas, enriching the game's diversity and visual appeal. ​


Turbine consistently provided monthly updates, offering new quests, items, and storylines, keeping the game world dynamic and engaging for players. 

Closure and Legacy

Expansions and Updates

Expansions and Updates

Despite its innovations and dedicated player base, AC's popularity declined with the emergence of newer MMORPGs. After over 17 years of operation, Turbine announced the game's closure, and all servers were shut down on January 31, 2017. ​


AC is remembered for its pioneering features, such as a seamless open world, a flexible skill system, and a robust player-driven community. Its influence persists in modern MMORPGs that strive to offer similar freedoms and community structures.

Brief AC Lore and History Overview

Introduction to the World

 Asheron's Call (AC) unfolds on the mysterious island continent of Dereth, set within the broader fictional planet called Auberean. The lore is deep, nuanced, and evolves dynamically through a series of in-game events and monthly updates. 

Ancient History and Empyrean Civilization

 Long before humans arrived, Dereth was inhabited by an advanced, magical race known as the Empyrean. They were highly intelligent, possessing powerful magical artifacts, constructs, and portals. Their civilization eventually collapsed due to internal conflicts and misuse of magic, leaving behind ruins, mysteries, and hidden artifacts scattered across Dereth.

The Empyrean are pivotal to the game's lore, as their lost secrets and magical technologies form the backbone of numerous quests and story arcs within AC.

Arrival of Humans

 Humans first appeared on Dereth through mysterious portals, originally created by the Empyrean, unintentionally activated by a mage named Asheron Realaidain—the figure from whom the game gets its name.


The Three Cultures

Human arrivals formed three distinct cultures, each drawn from different areas of a homeworld called Ispar:

  • Aluvians: Inspired by medieval Europeans, characterized by honor, bravery, and feudal traditions.
  • Gharu'ndim: Influenced by Middle Eastern cultures, with a strong emphasis on trade, diplomacy, mysticism, and spirituality.
  • Sho: Modeled after East Asian societies, renowned for discipline, honor, martial skills, and spiritual depth.

Each culture struggled to adapt to the harsh and alien environment of Dereth, navigating conflict, cooperation, and the exploration of Empyrean ruins.

The Olthoi Invasion

 When Asheron unintentionally opened portals, humans were not the only beings transported—fearsome insectoid creatures called the Olthoi also arrived, enslaving humans and threatening to consume all life on Dereth.


A major early story arc involved human rebellion against the Olthoi, ultimately ending with the heroic efforts of players defeating the Olthoi Queen. These battles became foundational legends that shaped Dereth’s lore and united its peoples against common threats.

The Virindi and Other Adversaries

 Another significant threat arose from the enigmatic and powerful entities called the Virindi—extradimensional beings with powerful psychic and magical capabilities. Virindi explored human emotions, experimented on humans, and became influential adversaries throughout the game's history. They attempted to control and manipulate humanity to serve their mysterious purposes.


Additionally, other beings and factions emerged, including:

  • Shadow Spire and Shadows: Corruptions of Empyrean magic and life force, driven by dark intent.
  • Tumeroks and Lugians: Indigenous races with whom humans had complex interactions—sometimes allies, sometimes foes.
  • Undead and Drudges: Common foes that players battled frequently across the landscape.

Asheron, Bael'Zharon, and the Shadow Wars

 The conflict known as the Shadow Wars brought forth one of the most significant story arcs, focused around the struggle against a dark entity named Bael'Zharon (The Hopeslayer). Originally an Empyrean named Ilservian Palacost, Bael'Zharon became twisted by Shadow Magic and sought domination over Dereth.


Players played a crucial role in freeing Bael'Zharon unintentionally, leading to massive battles, chaos, and heroics. Eventually, through community-driven efforts, Bael'Zharon was defeated, but the scars and impact of his shadow still lingered in Dereth.

Monthly Story Events and Player Impact

 

A defining characteristic of AC’s lore was its evolution through regular monthly updates. Players directly impacted the world by engaging in quests and events that advanced storylines, unlocked secrets, and changed the political and magical landscape.


These monthly updates ensured Dereth's world felt alive and dynamic, continually enriching the lore, allowing players' actions to influence historical events and outcomes.

Expansions and Further Lore Development

 Two significant expansions enriched Dereth’s history:

  • Dark Majesty (2001): Expanded the lore with the discovery of Marae Lassel, a new region filled with Empyrean secrets, dangerous creatures, and intriguing lore involving Empyrean magics and artifacts.
     
  • Throne of Destiny (2005): Introduced the Viamontians, a militaristic Isparian kingdom that arrived via portals, bringing additional conflict, complexity, and fresh stories involving human politics, Empyrean ruins, and inter-culture tensions.

The End and Legacy of Dereth

 In January 2017, after 17 years, the servers were shut down. However, the legacy of Dereth and its intricate lore still resonates deeply with players who experienced it. AC’s story is remembered fondly for its depth, player agency, and the living history it created. 

Key Characters in AC Lore

  •  Asheron Realaidain: Empyrean mage, tragic figure, whose efforts to save his people inadvertently led to human and Olthoi arrival.
  • Bael'Zharon (Ilservian Palacost): Fallen Empyrean villain, embodiment of Shadow corruption, central antagonist.
  • Elysa Strathelar: Aluvian hero who led the human uprising against the Olthoi Queen.
  • Gaerlan: Formerly human mage seduced by dark magics, becoming a recurring villain.
  • Martine: A tragic figure transformed by Virindi experiments, illustrating the subtle and nuanced narratives AC explored.

Why AC's Lore Matters

 Asheron's Call set itself apart through:

  • Depth of Worldbuilding: Richly detailed histories, diverse cultures, complex magic systems.
  • Player-driven Narrative: Player actions genuinely influenced game lore and history.
  • Dynamic Storytelling: Frequent updates creating a world that evolved and reacted over time.

The depth and complexity of AC's lore inspired future MMORPG storytelling, paving the way for interactive, evolving worlds that players could truly shape.

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