What's New in Wizard101

Many new things have been released to Wizard101 for the summer! These items are super cool and will make your summertime fabulous. Check out what's been buzzing in the Spiral!

The Witch Hunter's Bundle

The Witch Hunter's Bundle was officially released in Wizard101 at the end of May. The bundle is very creepy and perfect for vampires and Darkmoor fans alike!

New Pets

Plenty of new pets arrived to the Spiral's Crown Shop. They include the Cheesiwitz Family (Mama, Papa, Brother, and Sister,) the Armordillo, and the Panther! The Panther, when hatched with the Leopard, gives the chance at 3 new hybrids: the Lion, the Tiger, or the White Tiger.

Astral Unicorn Mount

Wish upon the stars whilst on your very own galaxy steed! This dazzling mount is in the Crown Shop for 7,500 crowns. Check it out!

Cuckoo Clock Gauntlet

The newest bundle is Valencian themed! Try your hand at this tough gauntlet, it;s sure to be a time killer. Though wizards can't visit Valencia, get a taste of it in this cool bundle!

Fish-a-Palooza

Fish-a-Palooza brought back all the seasonal fish into the waters of the Spiral. It also caught us some nice deals and some old items. Don't miss this exciting event next year!

The Hall of the Ice Forge

Picture credits to Wizard's Keep

Story by Ymir
Retold by Cheyenne Caster

The Hall of the Ice Forge, perhaps one of Grizzleheim's best kept secrets. The greatest craters of the land come here. Those who come possess great honor, but it takes a humble heart to wield the hammer of the Ice Forge. Yes, the wizards use their magic to lift the hammer, but it is truly caused by their selfless acts for the cause of the Spiral.

There was once a great crafter who was true to his trade. Many of the inhabitants of Grizzleheim knew him. He would forge great weapons for the warriors of the North, but he himself could not wield the weapons. For it is of Grizzleheim tradition that the warriors be the only to wield the weapons. So the great crafter never wielded a single sword of which he made.

Each and every weapon he made was created with great passion. Each magic enhancing jewel combination was hand made and unique. Each sword was built for the warrior it was bestowed to, and could never function under a different warrior. This is what made the sword so unique and valuable, and what catapulted the crafter into fame.

If the owner died valorously in battle, the sword was returned to the great crafter, who would melt the sword. A sword with such great magic coursing within could not be easily reused. Because of this the great crafter created a forge near the center of Grizzleheim. He erected a statue to me, so that he could draw on my strength to create the best swords.

The cooling nature of the forge caused excellent results. The icy blades helped the Bears fend off the barbarian tribes. The blades created at the forge were the most beautiful in the land. Not a single crafter in all of Grizzleheim could even come close to recreating the sheer power and beauty of the swords created by the great crafter.

As time went on, and the great crafter grew older, a mighty hammer was made to help the crafter. For now, in his old-weakened state, it was getting increasingly harder to make the swords. The hammer his touch the best, and could only be wielded by him.

Finally, in one of the darkest days in Grizzleheim history, the great crafter died. In his last moments, he noted to those standing near, "The hammer at my forge cannot be wielded by all, but by those with the humblest of hearts and the purest of intents." Many great warriors came to wield the hammer, but only the  selfless in battle were successful. Even the lowliest of Bears could wield the hammer if their intents were pure.

To this day, only the purest of wizards and crafters can use the forge. The great crafter's magic still courses through the hammer as the orange radiant light. So be humble, dear wizard. Bask in the light of your life. Be the guide that shines for others. Wield the hammer at the Hall of the Ice Forge.

Nordic Champion's First Blogoversary

A year ago today, I sat on my couch trying to figure out how Blogger worked. A few days before that, I was working on Wordpress and decided I didn't like it. As I tried to put in a domain name, for some reason it was already taken. Frustrated, tired, and ready to qive up, I brainstormed different names for my blog. I finally realized that I should use something related to my favorite world, Grizzleheim. Then it dawned on me... Nordic Champion. Voila! Nordic Champion Blog arose from the ashes of Amaranthine Fog, my original name for my blog.

Looking back on a year's progress, I cannot believe how far I've came. I went from a blog that no one read to 1,000 monthly page views! It is truly humbling to know that many of you turn to my blog for help, entertainment, or discussions. My two greatest accomplishments, getting on the Wizard101 Monthly Newsletter numerous times and holding a Fansite Festival event, are something I must thank you for. Without you, there's no purpose to my blog. I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to give you information, sponsor events, and enjoy Wizard101 with you.

I didn't even think I'd get this far. When I made my blog I wasn't sure how it would turn out. I had so much fun writing my first few dinky posts that I decided to stick with it. I didn't think I'd be on the Wizard101 Newsletter or even run a Fansite Festival event, let alone with in my first year.  Now that I've got so much accomplished in one year, there's no turning back. This blog is here to stay and hungry to accomplish more goals!

The banner to the blog I never had, RIP Amaranthine Fog

I remember when I my old template had a gray post background with a blue font. I am so glad I don't use it anymore. Cosmetically, my blog has changed a lot. Now it looks more professional. I will continue to edit my blog's appearance as needed. I know for a fact I will remain a really bad photo editor.

This year I want build my community more. I would like to finally figure out the problem I've been having with Disqus and comments not syncing. (I've been working on that for months) I would like to buy my domain, which unfortunately will not be nordicchampion.com because somebody else has it. (grrr to you domain stealer) I will likely be nordicchampionblog.com, which isn't as cool, but it's all I can get. I'm also hoping to do more giveaways, which have been seldom since the only giveaway I've done was sponsored by KI. Hopefully I'll be able to buy some stuff for you guys :)

I would like to thank some specific people for all that they've done for me this past year :)

Special thanks to Frostcaller for being my go-to for tech questions! 

Thank you to The Friendly Necromancer for being the first blog to put me on a blogroll

Super Thanks to Sophia Lifecaster for inviting me to the Fansite Festival!

Thanks so much to Community Newsletter for putting me on their awesome newsletter!

Thanks a million to Max. the coolest supporter and friend I know :)

Much gratitude to Wizard101 for all the times they've put me on the monthly neswsletter!

A million thank-yous to these supporters: Stars of the Spiral, Iridian Willowglen, Vanessa Mythdust, The Dragonspyre Pirate, Anthony Firestone, and so many more!

A huge Thank You to all my readers for being the coolest wizards out there! Love you all!

Thank you again for an amazing year! I can't wait to see what this one has in store!

Fishing or Farming for Gold: Zafaria vs Halfang

When you need gold, what do you think of? The first thing that probably popped in your head was Halfang Bristlecrown. He drops an amulet that sells for over 8,000 gold! But what if there was another source that could bring you more gold? Zafaria fishing could be the answer.

 Pros of Farming Halfang

• There's usually a lot of people to team up with, so battles are quick
• He drops a lot of different stuff that can add up to 8,000 gold if you weren't lucky enough to get the Cow's Pearl Amulet
• For some, the amulet drops often
• Halfang drops Gold Miner Opal (+10% more gold)
• Unlimited battles

Cons of Farming Halfang

• Sometimes there's so many people that you can't get into the dungeon and you have to switch realms to one with less people 
• Or... you're online at a bad time and no one is around to speed up to process
• Some battles will only give you a reagent 
• Sometimes the amulet drops once or twice on a bad day

Pros of Fishing in Zafaria

• Most fish sell for a lot of gold
• It's pretty easy to catch a fish
• Using a death lure, try to catch chests which give you 2,000 gold plus a new Zafaria wand, Promo Wand, or Zafaria Furniture (in Elephant Graveyard)
• It's a good pastime when questing starts to infuriate you

Cons of Fishing in Zafaria

• Sentinels that aren't scared away can ruin your chances of catching a fish
• You aren't guaranteed a chest every time you use a death lure
• Once you're out of energy, you're done
• If you use crowns to buy an elixir, that defeats the purpose of trying to earn some gold
• Fishing can become just as frustrating as questing

So, which is easier and more efficient? This depends on your style and preference. Both ways are extremely rewarding and will definitely work. In my opinion, Halfang is still the best source of gold.

Nordic Champion's Strategy for a Day of Gold 

Start the day fishing in Zafaria. Fish in Elephant Graveyard on a less populated realm. Be sure to banish all sentinels and use the death lure (rank 2 or 3) to try and catch chests. Once you're out of energy, stop by the Bazaar and sell anything you can. Drop by Lucky Hookline to cash in your fish. After that, go to Vestrilund to battle Halfang until your backpack is full. Sell at the Bazaar and repeat until your energy is filled up again, then return to Zafaria and restart the strategy.

Which way of earning gold do you prefer more? Did you try my strategy? If you have any helpful tips to earning gold, share it in the comments below!

P.S. - Tomorrow Nordic Champion turns 1!

The Reborn Kingdom

Are you bored? Do you have nothing interesting to do in Wizard101? Is it raining outside? If you answered "yes!" to any of these questions, you need to check out The Reborn Kingdom!

About The Reborn Kingdom

The Reborn Kingdom is a series of three trials of different skills inspired by the story of The Reborn Kingdom, written by Jared Shadowbreaker. The three trials are: The Trial of Memory, The Trial of Intellect, and The Trial of Strength. There are so many great prizes to be won and fun to be had! For more information, please visit The Reborn Kingdom.

When

• All events are on Eastern Daylight Time
• Trial of Memory - Trivia: Friday, June 24th, 2016 at 1:30 pm sharp **Twitter Contest
• Trial of Intellect - Maze: Friday, June 24th, 2016 at 1:30 pm sharp
• Trial of Strength - Tournament: Monday, June 27th, 2016 at 1:30 pm sharp and Tuesday, June 28th, 2016 at 1:30 pm sharp

More The Reborn Kingdom

To read the story written by Jared Shadowbreaker, click here to download the PDF.

To watch the official trailer, click here.

Thanks to Jared Shadowbreaker and friends for asking me to sponsor the event! They've worked so very hard to build the storyline, decorate the houses, and gather prizes for this event. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to win cool prizes and have fun doing it! 

The Complete Guide to Stat-Boosting Mounts

This is the complete guide to all stat-boosting mounts in the game, to date.

Crystal Unicorn

• Dyeable
• How Obtained: Jewelcrafter's Bundle
• Stat Boost: +2% Universal Accuracy

Battle Narwhal

• Not Dyeable
• How Obtained: Polarian Explorer's Bundle
• Stat Boost: +2% Universal Damage

Waddling Witch Hut

• Not Dyeable
• How Obtained: Witch's Hoard Pack
• Stat Boost: +2% Power Pip Chance

Mammoth Mini

• Not Dyeable
• How Obtained: Crown Shop or as a drop from Warlord Minak in Polaris
• Stat Boost: +2% Outgoing Heals

Clockwork Courser                                                              

• Dyeable
• How Obtained: Cuckoo Clock Gauntlet Bundle
• Stat Boost: +2% Pierce 

Ghulture School Themed Mounts

• Not Dyeable (Colors correspond with its respective school)
• How Obtained: Ghulture's Hoard Pack
• Stat Boost: +3% Damage (Fire, Ice, Storm, Death, Life, or Myth, Respectively) or +2% Damage - Universal (Balance mount)

How Dark is Darkmoor Manor?

Darkmoor Manor is the newest house on the block in Wizard101. Its super spooky and really eerie. The bundle itself (The Witch Hunter's Bundle) is very interesting and worth taking a look at. Swordroll's Blog takes an in-depth look at the bundle.

The house itself is very creepy. There's many places for monsters to lurk, and plenty of shadows and bats. The house gives an overall cemetery atmosphere. As you take a look at the house, you may stumble upon something very, very dark, and borderline inappropriate for a family MMO. The Darkmoor Manor features one lone noose, eerily swinging in the wind.

Naturally, this caused major backlash through out the community, and for good reason. KingsIsle claims to be a family-oriented  MMO, yet they included a very disturbing method of death. This isn't very appropriate for a family-friendly game, and KingsIsle shouldn't have added it.

At the same token, Wizard101's rating is E-10+ and claims that it includes mild cartoon violence. A parent would be able to infer that something like this may be in the game. After all, parents that are worried about their kids would be the ones in the most disapproval of it, and assuming they made this inference, probably aren't letting their child play the game.

However, this edgy addition doesn't have any other items nearby that could make it worse. The noose's location is very subtle and high up, making for it to be hard to notice. There is no bucket or stand, no corpse, bag, criminal or witch in close proximity to suggest that you are at a hanging. Also, the house, by context, is for a witch hunter. This is reference to the Salem Witch Trials, which killed almost all of the accused by hanging.

Although it isn't appropriate for young children, it is not entirely bad. Many of you have probably played Hangman, learned about the Salem Witch Trials, lynch mobs, and other scenarios of the involvement of the noose.

In my opinion, the noose is very edgy. There could be far worse things added, and it's not really appropriate. I feel it's a questionable addition that would have been better off not added.

What is your opinion? Should KingsIsle have left it out?

Special thanks to Aaron Lionhunter for the post idea and Iridian Willowglen for getting me into the house!