Created by the International Council of Museums in 1977, May 18 is International Museum Day. Envisioned as a day to expand horizons and learn about the world (or worlds in the case of the Spiral) around you by visiting a museum. There is no better way to celebrate in Wizard101, than by taking a tour of the Royal Museum in Marleybone!
Lead by its esteemed curator, Clancy Pembroke, the Royal Museum houses a fine collection of artifacts from Krokotopia. Gathered by members of the Spiral Geographic Society such as Walter Chaplin, these treasures are preserved and protected in the museum. The museum consists of 2 floors with exhibits displaying art, sculpture and maps from the Spiral’s desert world.
The first floor of the museum holds the largest of these treasures including several large pieces of architectural sculpture from the tombs of Krokotopia. These prize pieces include a multi-story tall stone Tut sculpture, colorful decorative columns and archways, beetle carved obelisks and an impressive chameleon sculpture. The smaller display cases show additional pieces of the fantastic artistry of Krokotopians including decorative vases and statues, an impressive Krokosphinx and several sarcophagi.
A rare musical instrument, the Krokotopian harp, and a stone Hieroglyph tablet can also be admired in these displays. Among the highlights of the first floor collection is a preserved Krokomummy, safely displayed behind layers of glass. There is definitely nothing to worry about as this Krokomummy definitely does not come alive in the museum at night, despite rumors to the contrary.
The second floor collection holds many pieces of decorative art and jewelry in smaller glass cases. Learn more about the Spiral Geographic Society’s visits to Krokotopia in photographic displays throughout the exhibit. Visitors can even take home a free souvenir Framed Campsite Photo, available on the back wall near the entrance to Counterweight West.
Also on display is the magical, glowing Stela Itzamna. Wizards of a high proficiency in magic can use this stone tower to open a portal to Halley’s Observatory and visit Edward Halley, the famed Aztecosaurologist.
With so many wonders to behold, why not take a visit to the Royal Museum today? Curator Pembroke will love to show you around and share in his knowledge of Krokotopian artifacts, kept safe in the care of his collection. Well, except for the Krokonomicon. Don’t ask about that. He doesn’t know where that is. No one does, so just don’t ask.
Did you know that May the 4th is Star Wars Day? This fun play on the quote “may the Force be with you” is a day for everyone to celebrate their love of the Star Wars universe. And here at KingsIsle is no exception. There are a lot of Star Wars fans here who have helped to create KingsIsle games. And if you pay close attention, you’ll see evidence of this in the fun Easter Eggs hidden throughout the Spiral.
Luke Skywalker
Not only are the developers of Wizard101 big Star Wars fans, so are our players. And this is evidenced by the most popular name for boy Wizards, Luke Skywalker. This was even the name of the first character ever created in Wizard101! Do you have a Skywalker character of your own?
Hannibal Onetusk
This smuggler may seem a little familiar to fans of the Star Wars films. He’s the captain of the ship Zafarian Queen and needs your help to fix the ship’s drive system. With his signature black vest, Hannibal might remind you a lot of one scruffy looking nerf-herder named Han Solo!
Dyvim in Amber
*spoiler alert* The poisoning of your mouse friend, Dyvim WhiteHart in Khrysalis is one of the most surprising story elements in the game. Dyvim is subsequently trapped in Amber and needs your help to escape. This memorable moment harkens back to one of the most famous Star Wars scenes, when Han Solo is frozen in Carbonite. Luckily Dyvim, much like Han, makes a miraculous recovery from this terrible fate.
Scrimshaw
Wizard101 isn’t the only KingsIsle game with some fun Star Wars references hidden throughout. During the character creation section of Pirate101, if you choose that your pirate is from Skull Island, Mr. Gandry pops in with a famous quote. He describes the island as “..a wretched hive of scum, and…” just like Obi-wan described Mos Eisley.
That’s no Moon!
During the quest “Guns of Marleybone” in Pirate101, you are tasked with exploring the armored Armada station used to supply their ships. Gracie Conrad is eager to accompany you on this dangerous mission. As you approach the station, Bonnie Anne quips, “Look at that, would ye! The bit up top looks like a giant salad spoon!” Then one of your other companions will chime in with the familiar-sounding phrase “That’s no spoon, it’s a Sky Station!”
The Spiral is full of fun, pop-culture references and Star Wars is an iconic source of inspiration. So, roll up your very own Luke Skywalker today and may the Force be with you!
Students of the Spiral, we’re so happy to have you join us for Teacher Appreciation Day. Whether you play Pirate101 our Wizard101, you’re going to find an interesting Teacher to give you new knowledge and take your characters to new heights of power. Today we’re going to spotlight a couple of outstanding teachers of the Spiral, and let you know why we think they’re so special.
Moolinda Woo
If you’re not familiar with her past, here’s a video to quickly catch you up to speed:
Just as the video says, “Teaching has become her greatest joy, and she brings that joy for Life to each and every lesson.” This is just one the many reasons why we’re honoring teachers today! Our favorite teachers love what they do and encourage all their students to grow strong.
The Commodore
Teachers like the Commodore are what make learning fun! Storytelling is the oldest form of teaching. Stories define us, shape who we are, and inspire us to be better. Everyone loves a teacher who has a million good stories, and The Commodore is one of those types of teachers.
It goes without saying that teachers are invaluable in shaping the young minds of their students. While Wizard101 and Pirate101 teachers/trainers give our characters powerful new spells and challenges to stretch their knowledge, real world teachers do so much more. We’d like to take a moment to thank all the hardworking teachers out there who helped shape our KingsIsle Employees. Without your direction and passion to teach us, who knows if the games we love would even exist? Thank you!
Who’s your favorite teacher and what quality do they possess that inspires you? Leave us a comment and share your teacher admiration with us!
Are you a good storyteller? If yes, this is your day! Today is National Tell a Story Day, and if there’s one thing spending a lot of time in an MMO like Wizard101 or Pirate101, you end up with a lot of great stories from your time spent playing with your friends.
We asked our Community Managers to tell a story from their time playing Wizard101 and Pirate101, and here’s what they had to say.
Tom
I’ll never forget the great times I’ve spent playing Wizard101 with my family. At first, I was playing side-by-side with my kids and then eventually side-by-side with my wife. Even the “great tragedies” were a lot of fun. For instance, the first time I won Crowns, I was holding on to them to buy something really great. Much to my surprise my son snuck on my account and instead purchased the cosmetic Santa Suit for me behind my back, which is still really great – just not what I particularly wanted at the time. I still like to stitch the Santa boots to my outfit as a reminder of how funny I thought it was.
For Pirate101, I actually remember my times flying around the skyways in the Beta test when things were very rough and unfinished. I also remember chatting with Paige Moonshade constantly and comparing how far along in the game we were. The hardest part was not being able to tell her that I was soon going to be an employee of KingsIsle as the Pirate101 Community Manager!
Other great Pirate101 memories center on the really difficult fights and quests at the beginning of the game before they were toned down. Remember that original Stormzilla fight before it was made easier? If you beat it back then, I’m sure you do! Make sure to pat yourself on the back . . . good job! You probably have a great story about that to share for Story Day.
Leala
One of my favorite memories of the early days playing Wizard101 was “Mali-fest” in 2010. Back before Celestia was added to the game, the highest level was 50 and the pentacle of challenge in game was defeating the first incarnation of Malistaire. My Wizard had reached the max level and was ready to face off against the bane of the Spiral. I thought, why not make an event of it and celebrate with friends?
Back before Twitch was such a staple in gaming, we used Livestream to host a stream of our dungeon run with an audience of the community. We called the stream “Mali-fest” and took 4 Grandmaster Necromancers to face off against the former Death professor. I joined up with some players who you may be familiar with including Thomas Lionblood (Tom aka Professor Dworgyn nowadays), Stephen Spiritcaller from Spiral Radio and Fallon Shadowblade who used to run the website Diary of a Wizard. We had a blast exploring the dungeon and joking around as we battled our way to the end. It was truly a highlight for me, back in my days as a fan site owner for Wizard101.
Do you have some great stories from in the Spiral? Tell us in the comments!
Did thou knowest William Shakespeare would arriveth at the ripe olde age of 452 years old today, April 23, 2016?
Mayhaps in celebration of Talk Like Shakespeare Day, thou may enjoyest this ode to the Spiral.
To be a Wizard, or to be a Pirate
To be a Wizard, or to be a Pirate – that is the question:
Whether ‘tis nobler in the Spiral to sail
The skyways in search of fortune
Or to cast spells against a world of monsters,
And by opposing end them. To fizzle – to dodge-
No more; and by a spell to say the best
The battle board, and a thousand spark shooters
That game is heir to. ‘Tis a conundrum
Devoutly to be chosen. To fizzle – to dodge.
To dodge- perchance to riposte; ay there’s the rub!
For in that dodge or fizzle what spells may come
When we have shuffled our cards,
Must give us levels. There’s the respec
That makes Jane Canary have so much agility.
For who would bear the critical attacks in PVP,
Th’ opponent’s wrong, the proud use of Open Chat,
The pangs of Bad Juju, the stun’s delay,
The inside of Ambrose’s office, and the spams
That patient merit of th’ newbie takes,
When he himself might his Menu Chat make
With a crafting quest? Who would these mistwood bear,
To fail to defeat under a weary quest,
But that the dread of “did not collect”-
The undiscover’d Spiral, from whose bourn
No traveller spins in circles- puzzles the Wizards,
And makes us rather complete those quests we have
Than take side quests that we know not of?
Thus choice does make newbies of us all,
And thus the native hue of our sails
Is matched with the pale pink of our companions,
And enterprises of great quests and battles
With this regard their companions turn awry
And lose the name of action. – Fizzle now!
The fair Ophelia Moonreach!- Vendor of Wysteria
Be all my friends rememb’red.
Parody of “To be, or not to be” from Hamlet.
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