Europa - Super Stratics Saturday!

Super Stratics Saturday! - 3rd Edition


 


 

Welcome to the 3rd Super Stratics Saturday! A bit early with the decorations perhaps! But if UO is going Halloween.. So is SSS! This week we have two interviews in our jammed pack Pre-Halloween special.

I visited Barian's Mall on the Tuesday and Leto's Auction on the Wednesday, Read both of their short interviews below. I also managed to get round to finding some interesting screenshots for this weeks Screenshot Saturday.

As always you can take part in SSS (Super Stratics Saturday) by sending any material to [email protected] . And please do! However small or unimportant you feel it is, I wont! I'd love anything!

This weeks SHOP OF THE WEEK is an oldie, What makes it stand out is the fact it has remained unchanged even with the new custom houses back with Age of Shadows, Its BARIAN'S MALL in Yewdale, Trammel. Found at 56o42'N 24o2'W Trammel - Check the map to the right.

It's basic setup of well stocked vendors is extremely easy to navigate. Information on what vendors sell can be found at their website, here.

With 20+ vendors selling a range of items from Minor Artifacts, Jewels, Legendary Crafted Weapons to Potions, Scribed Goods, Furniture, House Add-ons and much much more!

Below are two screenshots, I chose to do both 2d and KR this time after switching between them the previous two articles.


A view from classic 2d.


A view in the new Kingdom Reborn client.

At the end I was able to ask him a few questions, Here's what he had to say.

Q: First of all, How long has Barian's Mall been open?

Barian: I think we opened the Mall in early 2003, but I've had vendors (and shops) in various locations ever since vendors came in.

Q: What did you first start to sell? How many vendors were on the plot?

Barian: First thing I ever sold was amour. I used to run a Smith repair service in the Minoc Smithy. The queues were huge. I met Nilrem & Lucy of Kenton back then
The Mall had 6 or 7 vendors when it started I think.

Q: Why did you choose against changing to a custom house plot when AoS came out?

Barian: We like the Large Marble shop, and changing would be far too much work, moving all those vendors. Basically Terry Fyde won't let us !!
It's also become a tradition now I think. It's a good feeling when people come back to UO after years away and find Barian's still there. They always say they are pleasantly surprised

Q: Do you still enjoy running such an old shop?

Barian: Yes I do. Still meet people there too. It's a great feeling when someone you don't know compliments you on the shop.

Q: What are your feelings on KR and UO right now in general, Still loving UO as much as you did back at the start?

Barian: KR : I'll wait till it's finished before I touch it
UO : Yes I still love the game. I wish they would finish some of the systems i.e. Virtues, plants, BoDs. Crafting has been nerfed for so long now.

Q: Finally, Has any customer asked for something real crazy? And if so, What was that?

Barian: Many many times......craziest I can think of was for 2000 full potion kegs
We turned that one down

This weeks Establishment of the Week is also quite old, With 175 auctions under its belt its certainly been around! Its Europa Auction! Started out as a simple auction it now has Lotteries, Races across Britannia and many more interesting events. Below are a few screenshots of one of these events.





I managed to ask Leto, The owner of Europa Auction a few questions, I thank him for his time.

Q: How long has the auction been running? Its nearing its 175th auction, But when did you first think up the idea?

Leto: 175 Auctions, that's about 3.5 years. It wasn't me who came up with the idea though, wasn't even anybody currently on the team for that matter!
Europa Auction was founded by Alcestis who ran that first few auctions with Bendalino. I joined sometime around the 20th auction and was the auctioneer from around the 25th till the 75th auction. After the 75th auction Alcestis left and I became the guildmaster. Amantala took over my job as auctioneer.

Q: I remember a while back your shop Two's Company, Have you ever thought about another large shop like that?

Leto: I can't say the thought of re-opening never crossed my mind but I don't have any solid plans right now. I do run a couple of vendors at Amantala's shop though. The shop is called 'Three's a Crowd' and is located directly behind the 2nd house from Umbra's West Entrance.

Q: What would you say is the oddest item you have had auctioned off?

Leto: The oddest item? Now that's a hard question!

Amantala tried to auction me off a few times! How odd that is depends on your opinion of me I guess ;-)

I don't think we auction a lot of odd items. Sometimes we do get offered strange lots though. Like a set of 100 perched parrots. Makes me wonder what the guys house looked and, more importantly, sounded like before... We declined that lot though.

The most expensive item we ever auctioned was an Obsidian Qualifier sash, for 100 million!

Q: What is the most enjoyable part about running an auction, And what is the worst?

Leto: The best part has to be the people. A lot of different people attend the auctions, from roleplayers to PvPers to merchants. It's great to be able to play with so many different people. Sometimes we have to force them but most of the time they get along just fine :-)

The worst part is the people as well... Though, I must say it's been a while since we've had any serious grievers. There's always the small incidents but usually a short run (remove thyself!) shows them the error of their ways ;-)

If your interested in going to any auctions in the future, They are held every Wednesday at 7pm UK Time, Gates are always provided at Britain Bank before the auction.

Apart from EA moving from CA to VA, Which we've all had enough talk about! There isn't very much news at all this week.

  • The Magincia event will start early next week according to the Five of Friday.
     

  • Trinsic had their Autumn Festival yesterday evening, I hope everyone who turned up had a fantastic time.

Events next week,

  • On Wednesday the 31st Oct we have a Spooky 175th edition of Leto's Europa Auction, 7pm UK Time, Gates provided at Britain Bank. Being Halloween, Be prepared for some extra events. (Details will be posted later this week so edit it later Mapper)
     
  • Also on Wednesday we have the 11th edition of Leto's new Europa Auction Lottery, The draw is at 8:30pm UK Time at the auction house after the auction. Tickets can be purchased from vendors, One of which is at the auction house. So buy one before the auction! You never know! Gates are provided for both auction and lottery at Britain Bank.

    Checkout     www.europa-auction.com for more details.

And now for the final piece of today's episode. Screenshot Saturday. If you want to have your screenshots here next week email them to [email protected] !


Not only do Europa Auction run.. auctions, They run events such as these.

Thanks for reading this weeks spooky Pre-Halloween special. Join us next week for the last Post-Halloween Special SSS.