Darkmoor: Wizards, Pirates, or Both? (Pt 1)

Darkmoor is mentioned a number of times in multiple areas, namely around the Pirate101 website. However, it's widely questioned as a possibility of being Morganthe's home world, and her final hiding place in the world of Wizard101. The reality of the matter is that, despite the fact that it hasn't been released in any game yet, it is very likely coming to either Wizard101 (and subsequently Wizard101 UK) or Pirate101. Or maybe it's both.

On a side note, that first picture was a nice edit, but please excuse the poor graphics from here on out. I'm trying to convey an idea.

Darkmoor has been discussed in Pirate101 as Witchdoctor trainer Madame Vadima's home world, as well as that of Bat Masterson, a vampire bat residing in Santa Pollo. Bat Masterson is described as "having his heart in the right place," despite the fact that he's from Darkmoor. Furthermore, the world is named as having a Marleybone colony in it - and there just happens to be an unused stormgate in Port Regal, a Skull Island Marleybone hotspot.

However, many have discussed this as being Morganthe's home world - and who wouldn't? Morganthe has a death teleport symbol, and take a good look at her clothing. Darkmoor's name itself evokes a sort of Halloween, scary mood.

Even if this world isn't her final hiding place, think of the prophecy. The mirror is broken. While not directly put into context with the prophecy, the game did specifically point out our blowing of a horn multiple times in Avalon. Is Darkmoor the next, dark world that fulfills the line "from the shadows I strike" and continues the storyline?

The photo with the opening paragraph is one that J. Todd Coleman posted on Facebook with the following:

"@jacob rousu asked me early today: why don't we add mid-level worlds to the game?

It's a great question, because we struggle with this one! We've tried some 'mid-level' worlds in the past (like grizzleheim and wisteria) so that the new content isn't always reserved for only our highest level players. The challenge is that our high level players have run out of content, and we don't want them to get bored (whereas mid level players still have numerous options!) So when we add a mid-level worlds, the GMs play it anyway, but they blow through these areas so fast that it barely seems worth the effort! It takes our team MONTHS to create a new area -- and a high level wizard can finish a mid-level area in a day or two... and go right back to wanting more content! 

What do you guys think? more high-level zones? flesh out the middle of the game? or should we spend out efforts on improving (or adding new) 'side activities', like Pets, PvP, Gardening, Crafting and Housing?"

Is he hinting that this is a concept for a high-level zone?

It wouldn't be the first time KingsIsle has completely given something away before it's been released and without our knowledge. In fact, they showed us two of the Pirate101 worlds far before its mention. Strangely enough, I did an entire post on it, building on the theorycrafting of Nicholas Lionrider.

In a commercial, you can see Skull Island and MooShu in the Spiral.

In Pirate101, travelling through stormgates is very beneficial to us - we get a preview of more than just the world we're headed to. In fact, we see a variety of other world. I think you know where I'm going with this - you can see Darkmoor! It's the same "house on the hill" seen in the concept. I've included a photo later in the post.

And take a look at this one in comparison with a Puppet Show of Polaris - look similar? I recommend clicking to enlarge this picture.

Think about it here - this could mean that it's just a future Pirate101 world. After all, look at the concept. It has the same, fluffy clouds that overlap the land, and a variety of islands. It's also showing up in Pirate101.

Think again, though. The stormgates in Pirate101 show Wizard101 worlds that may never appear in Pirate101. Besides, why would we visit Morganthe's home world - a place heavy with magic - in Pirate101?

But don't be convinced at that! Polaris is shown in the stormgates, and that's an important place mentioned in Wizard101 far before Pirate101 - in fact, I believe that the Winter Winds tower uses a Polaris-style environment, just as the Sun Palace used a Zafaria-style environment just before the release of that world. At the same time, we rescue Napolenguin from For Elena in Port Regal, so Polaris must be a very important part of Pirate101. The Polarian wars were a big thing, no? It could be both!

Here's that photo of Darkmoor - matches the concept pretty well, hmm? Click to enlarge the photo.

What's your take - wizards, pirates, or both? Thanks for reading, and see you in the Spiral!