The Second Gaian Anniversary Ball:With the destruction of Gambino's mansion, Users were wondering where the Ball would be held. Lo and behold, enter the newest NPCs: the Von Helson Twins. They, the "two most powerful women of GAIA" offered up their Mansion in Durem for the event, and, as with the previous Ball, invited several other NPCs in to enjoy the days. Gambino arrived first, in fact before the Sisters, and caused a ruckus doing so. The party really got underway when the Twins finally arrived, and stamped down on the G-revolution. We were graced with the appearence of many NPCs, including Edmund and Liam (apparently Ian's "rival" from AEKEA town), and LabTechX returned, even more mysterious than before.
There was a massive amount of NPC interaction in this event, with hundreds of tidbits going between the NPCs and Users. Cindy Donovinh continued to report, and LabTech123, suitably confused, appeared for the event. The Von Helson sisters began to distribute V-Pins, along with Gaia Anniversary Balloons and Hats, and in reaction, Gambino began to covertly issue G-Pins, forming factions of supporters of the two families among Users. Eventually, the Von Helson sisters called Gambino out, having captured Gino, and forced him to choose between his son and their Mansion: he could have his son back, and leave immediately, or lose Gino. Gambino made the 'right' choice, taking back Gino and leaving (much to our appreciation), and the stage was set for the next event: the Third Annual Gaian Ball!
The Third Gaian Annual Ball:
Held here there was no NPC interaction, storyline or event items at this ball. SykoSilver explained that this is because this ball was a User-run event (this year, a large team headed by Razumi Yazura), and that since there are now many user-run events, focusing exclusively on this Ball would be unfair. So, if you missed the Ball, and think you're behind on the GAIA storyline or event items because of this, don't worry! smile
The Tower of Gambino:Gambino, in all his poverty, started taking donations to fund what appeared to be the rebuilding of his mansion... and a lot more! Users gladly donated to his "Donation Drive" to bring back the Gambino mansion. However, we were very suprised when a Mansion became a Tower, adding three new maps to Gaia: the Northern Sea: North, Northeast, and the roof of the Tower of Gambino itself, where a Mansion very much like his old Mansion sat on its gargantuan pedestal. Although there was some speculation about whether or not Gambino would pay us back for our help in the gargantuan creation, and whether our donations actually helped or not, the end result was easy for us all to see. Cindy Donovinh, of GAIA 9 Action News, was hovering above the Tower in a helicopter, and clicking on that gave you a quick summary of the situation.
In quick response, the Von Helson Twins launched an anti-Gambino protest at this 'audacity', and were selling Picket Signs for 500g apiece outside their mansion in Durem. If you wanted to join the attack on the apparent abuse of your donations by Gambino, you clicked on the Von Helson Twins sprite, followed through their commentary, and when you had enough gold, clicked Yes when they asked if you wanted to buy a picket sign. You'd be given a picket sign which your avatar could hold to protest with!
Soon after, Gambino reappeared, more manic than ever, with Anti-Von Helson picket signs, at the top of his Tower, crying out to the Gaian masses to join his protest. Those who donated during the Donation Drive were awarded one free Anti-Von Helson Picket Sign, retail value one thousand gold, whereas those who didn't could buy as many as they liked from the returning 'hero'.
Easter 2k5:
This event, as with previous years, didn't include any plot action, but we were introduced to one new NPC, a robotic Easter Bunny, or rather, the "Easter Rab-bot". Those who succeeded in finding and meeting the rabbit were rewarded with either a Bani Mask, or a Chickie Mask. Good fun was had by all. smile
April Fools 2k5:In an event with the devastation of much of Gaia, an unknown assassin shot Johnny K. Gambino, just seconds after Gino regained his memory as to who his father really was. Users watched as Gambino plummeted from the very top of his tower to the bottom, and when he landed, his Tower felt the fall. It too began to collapse, in doing so, crashing down upon Durem and the Von Helson Twins' Mansion. Cindy Donovinh hovered over Durem with a manga style report of the event, and there was much speculation as to the reason behind this attack, and the shooter's identity.
The Manga Style Report links are as follows:
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In a "double whammy" suprise a week later, we discovered that not only did Gambino's mansion atop the Tower of Gambino survive the fall, landing squarely down upon the old Von Helson Mansion - we assume crushing it in doing so - but also, a second Gambino mansion, likely contained within the Tower of Gambino, is now standing upright and sturdy back on terra firma: the Isle De Gambino. Once again, Cindy provided a summary from her Helicopter above Durem.
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