2000/02 - The Gauntlet

The Gauntlet

• Invitation only event that was was held during the Shadows of the Past.
• Candidates for 'The Gauntlet' included high level, high ranking monarchs.<ref>2000/02 Shadows of the Past - Shadows of the Past#Town Crier Rumors</ref> Potential candidates were challenged by "a presence" and if accepted were sent to the Singularity Caul. <ref name=ShadowsPast1>2000/02 Shadows of the Past - Maggie Jackcat's Shadows of the Past</ref>
• The challenge was to run to the top of a distant hill and claim the Shadow Stone within 30 minutes whilst avoiding dangerous creatures such as: Shadows, Shadow Lieutenants, Panumbris Shadows, Umbris Shadows and Lag Beasts.<ref name=ShadowsPast1/>
• To successfully complete the challenge, a high run skill was needed to avoid the mobs and also a high jump skill to reach the stone itself.<ref name=ShadowsPast1/>
• Monarchs that completed the challenge received a Shadow Stone, used to improve Atlan Weapons, and the title of Dark Master.<ref name=ShadowsPast1/>
• There are only two known monarchs to have completed the Gauntlet and they were both based on the Thistledown server: Vidorian and Blackthorn.<ref name=ShadowsPast3>2000/03 Darkness Ascendant - General History of Dereth Vol. III</ref>
• Two monarchs also refused to take part in the test: Fafhrd of Thistledown and Killean of Morningthaw.<ref name=ShadowsPast3/>
• During the Should the Stars Fall event, the two Dark Masters were called upon to help free the Hopeslayer; however, Blackthorn had defected and was now part of the Shard Vigils leaving only Vidorian to assist the Shadow Generals.<ref>Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)</ref>
• The two monarchs who refused to take part in the Gauntlet were called upon by Asheron during the live event when Bael'Zharon was defeated.

Items

Shadow Stone

Dark Master Note

Peerless Shadow Claw

Peerless Shadow Dagger

Images

Click image for full size version.

• 
  Dark Master Vidorian of Thistledown

Video

The original Singularity Caul on which the Gauntlet took place <youtube>0N_LYEdTAGo</youtube>

Creatures

Shadow

• Shadow
  
• Shadow Lieutenant
  
• Panumbris Shadow
  
• Umbris Shadow
  

Unknown

• Lag Beast
  

Lore & Dialog

Town Crier Rumor (Darkness Ascendant)

Town Crier tells you, "High-ranking monarchs have been approached by an unknown presence and subjected to grueling tests on a distant island. Apparently this entity, whatever it is, does not think much of our monarchs. Might this have something to do with the frightful apparition in the lightning flashes?"

Samuel, Former Guardian

Samuel, Former Guardian tells you, "A few years back - you see? A few years back, this island was found. Apparently, Monarchs had gone there before Bael'zharon walked the world, as a test. Something like that-"

References

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