Updates/9.8

The next update will be the Winter Update 2012, most likely named Updates/9.8.

Update Teasers
Teaser images can be seen at the gallery.

Chronology

 * CipSoft a contest on October 31 in which players could suggest the name for a new rat race (temporarily called Rat men) that will be implemented with the Winter Update. Names could be submitted on the respective.
 * The contest were announced on November 9. The winning name was Corym, suggested by . Also, a sneak peek was published at the Tibia Facebook Page showing the Old Lighthouse in Venore with a new look.
 * On November 15 the first update teaser was released. It gives further information on the revamp of Venore and the swamps to the south-east, and mentions new creatures and daily tasks.
 * The second update teaser was released on November 21. The character speed formula is going to be changed, some hunting areas will get a higher monster activity, creatures attacks won't damage other creatures anymore, new Demon Outfits are revealed, changes to Kazordoon (expansion of the ore wagon system, a new Magic Carpet and new hunting areas), a new quest providing a "safe promotion service" and increased health regeneration.

Revamp of Venore and surrounding areas
Venore, one of the oldest Tibian cities will get a major graphical overhaul. New furniture based on the city new theme will be added.

The swamps south and east of the city will also get revamped and crossing it will be made easier and more interesting. The Goblin Merchant Quest, containing 6 daily tasks plus 3 Production Site tasks which can also be done by Free Account players, will be added to the area. These tasks are aimed at low leveled characters but can still be done at higher levels.

A new cave with Swamplings, Salamanders, Marsh Stalkers and Emerald Damselflys can be found near the south entrance of Venore, here.

Expansion of Kazordoon mines and ore wagon system
The dwarven city of Kazordoon is much more accessible. A new lorry system has been added to transport players to a new Flying Carpet and two areas outside of The Big Old One. In addition, there are 2 additional NPCs who sell ore wagon tickets: Gewen and Lukosch.

All of the Dwarf Mines have been revamped slightly. They now have muddy floor textures and wall lamps, and walls have been adjusted. The Lost now inhabit the depths of 4 of the 7 mines. A mine has been extended to include a massive tunnel with coryms and dragons (new place begins here). Also, the city mine has been extended to include a section with Giant Spiders, Wyverns, Earth Elementals and Drill Worms.

The Corym area below Kazordoon can be accessed from Carlin now, there is a new connection from here. First you go through some rotworm and carrion worm caves, then you'll see a sign: You see a sign. You read: Belonx Corym!!! Kiip aut!

Island of Destiny: Festival of Initiates
The Island of Destiny is expanded with an area south of the island. On this part of the island tents are set up to hold the Festival of Initiates, where you can get more information to help you choosing a Vocation. This festival is organized by the inhabitants of the Island of Destiny.

First Neill teaches about melee fighting. Secondly Tylius tells about magich fighting using a wand/rod. Then Shanoya tells about distance fighting using spears. Fourth Salbra tells about magic: spells and runes. You will start the Child of Destiny Quest with her. After this you can kill some more Party Skeletons to train your skills or proceed to the old part of the Island of Destiny.

Some changes were made here as well:
 * Druid Yandur now teaches you Apprentice's Strike upon becoming a Druid.
 * Other changes to other vocation teachers (?)

Adventurer's Guild
A new island, the Adventurer's Guild appeared west of the Thais Light House. You can reach it by using your Adventurer's Stone in any Temple.

New and changed mechanisms

 * Changes have been made to the character speed formula. Characters lower than 175 will notice an increase in their walk speed, while characters higher than 175 will notice a decrease (i.e., they will gain less speed at higher levels).
 * Changes to the monster area of effect (AoE) have been made so that monsters cannot hit each other with offensive spells, and they cannot affect players with support spells. Certain exceptions have been made to ensure quests requiring this can still be completed.
 * Characters below 150 health points will have a much faster Hit Points regeneration rate.
 * After dieing and re-logging your server log is kept, you will see a message: You were killed by 

Outfits and mounts
The new Demon Outfits can be obtained by talking to Avar Tar after completing The Annihilator Quest. If you have finished the Demon Helmet Quest and The Demon Oak Quest he will also reward you with addons 1 and 2, respectively.

The Water Buffalo mount can be tamed with a Leech. Water Buffalos appear randomly in Venore swamp near the southern production site. It's still unknown how to obtain the taming item.

Quests

 * Goblin Merchant Quest
 * Venore Daily Tasks Quest

Creatures
Creatures added are the Corym; swamp-themed monsters; new The Lost classes; and Drill Worms. Creature illustrations can be seen at the gallery.

Objects

 * Ornate Carpet

Trades
Some new trades are posted on the tibia test forum, here, with adjustments here. In addition changes to Furniture Shopkeeper NPCs (at least of Venore) were made for the new venore furniture and Black Bert received some new quest items in his trade list.