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Shadows Fade, Legends Remain - The Final Chapter of TibiaSecrets

Shadows Fade, Legends Remain - The Final Chapter of TibiaSecrets

2024-11-13

Written by: Bosst

Views: 822

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Shadows Fade, Legends Remain - The Final Chapter of TibiaSecrets

This article, sadly, is not a late April Fool’s joke - we are serious. You have probably noticed that we haven't been posting much lately. What used to be our biggest strength - articles based on our own research and discoveries - has become very rare. I’ll be honest: we just don’t have as much time as we used to. You know that the average age of a typical Tibia player these days is quite high. The same is true for our team and for me (Bosst here) personally. We always wanted to bring you the best quality articles, content, and contests. I decided that if we can’t keep up that quality, it’s better to step away and leave behind good memories. This article is our last one, and it’s also our goodbye to you. Want to know what will happen to all the content on the site and the Discord server? Read on to the end. I’ll also try to look back at the 4 years we spent with you. There’s a lot to remember! I think I can say we will leave a lasting mark and have had some impact on the Tibia community.

 

 

The idea for the project came from Mogh, with whom I had been discussing such topics for a long time. Haishen also joined us, and within what we called our “inner circle,” the idea for the site was born. Mogh was the tech admin and redactor, I was a redactor and contact person, and Haishen was the main (field) researcher. We felt that the challenge was huge, but it could work. This, in short, was how our journey began - from aiming to join the fansite program, advancing to a promoted fansite, and now reaching today, when we say goodbye to you.

The uniqueness of TibiaSecrets was mostly about filling a significant niche among fansites. Tibia mystery seekers, discoverers of hidden content, and lore researchers form a considerable part of the community. But even beyond the exact number of players who focused on this, almost everyone enjoyed reading such content. It served as entertainment, a break between leveling up, hunting, or skill training. You could always read a guide on the best places to hunt, look at some art by Tibian artists, browse the highscores, or decorate your house. But our content was something… more. Almost always, it had a deeper meaning and sparked reflection. It encouraged further research and inspired new investigations. People would think about our articles long after reading them.

What always amused us a little but also made us proud was the fact that our articles were highly sought after by various online creators. Some streamers would even read our articles live, which brought them thousands of listeners. We once did a detailed analysis of one of our best articles and estimated that through sharing, discussions, and further usage, it gathered over 500.000 views in total. Our publications were shared on the biggest German and Polish MMORPG websites, which get millions of views each month. It’s not an exaggeration to say that we gave the Tibian “mysteriando” community a powerful boost that no other site or project had provided before us.

Our best publications and greatest discoveries

Our greatest strength from the very beginning has been articles based on our own research, which were sometimes very time-consuming, along with the discoveries that came from them. Even though we did not plan it, we decided to publish our articles also in Spanish and Portuguese, which was appreciated by the community. Kudos to Lehula Dohon and Mirius, who have been our translators over the years.
Let’s now take a look at the most important publications. In this section, we will also talk about our most significant discoveries, as they are, of course, connected. If we managed to uncover something noteworthy, we usually dedicated a separate article to it. Let’s take a look, the order of these memories is mostly random.

Mystery of the Unjaga

https://tibiasecrets.com/article.php?id=61

This article doesn’t contain any major discovery, but it is important to us because it was our first full-fledged article written specifically for TibiaSecrets. 



It was also the first longer publication about Unjaga on the web. An interesting fact - we were considering at the time whether Unjaga could be a giant beaver (one of the NPCs mentioned them), and a few years later, giant beavers appeared in Tibia. :)

“Explorer’s Diary” Series 

This experimental series of articles, which included as many as 17 parts, is our pride.
In it, we published smaller curiosities, hints, or mysteries that didn’t quite fit as full-fledged articles. It was like a newspaper overview - short and accessible.

However, sometimes true gems made their way into it - such as summoning the Poor Soul. This was a critical bug discovered by Mogh, allowing a low-level player to summon a monster that was not only immortal but could deal hits up to 800 HP.

We also described one of our strangest discoveries there - the fact that NPC Rehon teaches spells.

In one of the diaries, we also described an invisible (!) NPC we discovered. It was quite a puzzle to figure out what was behind it. And quite an interesting discussion that even spread to other fansites. Ah, the memories…

These were some of our most popular articles, but they were also difficult to create, as we set a high standard for ourselves.

Beregar - Into the Unknown

https://tibiasecrets.com/article.php?id=58

One of our best articles, originally published on Tibiabosses. I wrote it experimentally in the style of an RPG dialogue, but it was based on our months of research and Mogh’s groundbreaking discoveries.


 

It was the first extensive publication online about the mysteries of Beregar. The most interesting part was, of course, the critical bug discovered by Mogh, which allowed the Dwarven Legs Quest to be completed an unlimited number of times - something that could have had a very negative impact on the economy, especially on new servers. But that wasn't all. Even back then, years before the Unlikely Pathfinder achievement was unlocked, we knew that opening the passage was possible, and we were on the trail of the correct solution.
 

Vampire Shadows in Vengoth’s Castle - the truth

https://tibiasecrets.com/article.php?id=68

In this article, for the first time in history, thanks to Haishen and his research, we revealed screenshots showing what the mysterious Vampire Shadows look like and what they actually are. For years, they had appeared in kill statistics from time to time, but despite rumors and speculation, no one had shown them before.

 

The Hungerer – old, but totally unknown boss revealed! 

https://tibiasecrets.com/article.php?id=69

This was an interesting story. Our team had been tracking this nearly rarest boss in Tibia for months. It was unknown where to find it, what it looked like, or what it dropped - practically nothing was known.


Even though we were the first to determine its appearance and location, despite our hard efforts to respawn it, we weren't the first to encounter it. Nonetheless, the first publication of an article describing all this was still significant! The bosshunting and mysteriando communities were abuzz.

 

Secret of the Museum of Tibian Arts revealed!

https://tibiasecrets.com/article.php?id=110 and https://tibiasecrets.com/article.php?id=116

This was an excellent discovery by Mirius, a former member of our team, who showed for the first time in a long while that there are still places in Tibia untouched by players and that major discoveries are still possible.

He showed a way to teleport into a previously inaccessible room in the basement of the Museum of Tibian Arts, which also contained a chest that had never been opened by anyone. A true dream moment for any mystery hunter, even if the contents were somewhat disappointing.
 

Rare bosses and possibly unknown loots

https://tibiasecrets.com/article.php?id=77

This rather brief and modest article unexpectedly turned out to be one of our most popular ones.

It was also widely discussed by YouTubers and streamers. In summary, I considered the possibility of undiscovered loot from bosses with the fewest kills. These bold, though not impossible, theoretical considerations apparently sparked players’ imaginations. Even with the introduction of the Bosstiary and the recording of thousands of new boss kills, this article has not become entirely outdated.

 

Secrets of the Alchemist Quarter

https://tibiasecrets.com/article.php?id=78

Another very detailed article. A complete study on the Alchemist Quarter in Yalahar, which turned out to be a true treasure trove of mysteries.

However, it was mainly a controversial article due to the underground machine in that quarter - the Transmutator - and the associated achievement. We discussed how this machine worked on our forum months before publishing the article. It was during that time that one of our users, Poojael (also known as Zergashano), was the first to suggest that there was definitely a hidden achievement there.

Some later tried to take credit for various aspects of this discovery, but the truth is that Poojael and our team made history by uncovering secrets that had been waiting in Tibia for years.

 

Our spectacular contests

We always aimed for our contests to stand out among those on other fansites. Drawing, creating graphics, poems? Not for us - what mattered was the talent for discovering and reaching for the unknown. Anyone who was patient, inquisitive, and creative could, with a bit of luck, achieve success. We also ensured the best possible prize pools, often contributing significant amounts of TC from our own pockets, as well as anything we received through donations (though unfortunately, those were few over the years). Let's look at them.

 

League of Explorers

https://tibiasecrets.com/article.php?id=114

Now that was a contest... Mogh created a separate, dedicated platform and site for it, along with a set of databases to properly manage the huge number of players who decided to participate. Over 600 people registered! This made the contest one of the largest in the history of all Tibian fansites.
 

What made it unique was the need to actually check specific locations in the game to solve the tasks. We ensured that most of them couldn't simply be solved by searching for information online. It looks like this format perfectly matched players' interests. It’s also worth noting that the Community Management, represented by Rejana, recognized the unusual scale and significance of this special contest by funding as many as 10 prizes.

Despite its spectacular success, I must admit that it was extremely exhausting for our team. I wouldn't be exaggerating to say that Mogh, the rest of the team, and I spent hundreds of hours planning, organizing, and finally conducting it. This is why our plans for a second edition had to be canceled, especially since the riddles would have essentially been full-fledged, in-game quests. Some of them even included never-before-published trivia or secrets. You can find an example here: https://tibiasecrets.com/article.php?id=176. Maybe one day we’ll publish the remaining puzzles/quests on Discord if anyone is interested at all.

 

Secrets of Tibia

This was our flagship contest. Another one unique among other fansites and very demanding. After all, it's not every day that you have to write a full-fledged article that ideally brings something new to the world of mystery-solving. Because of this, both participants and judges had quite a lot of time to prepare their entries and evaluate them.

The contest was always quite popular and featured generous prizes, often supplemented by Tibia Coins funded by us. An additional attraction (though perhaps stressful for some) was that each entry was published on the main site after the contest ended. It was definitely worth competing!

Through this contest, many mysteriando talents emerged. The greatest success story is Meadek, who, by winning the first edition, caught our attention enough to be invited to join our team, where he became one of its pillars.

Let's recall the winning works from all three editions:

1st Edition - „The Basilisk – One Piece of the Puzzle” by Meadek

2nd Edition - „A Museum of more than just Art” by Talanor

3rd Edition - „The Map to Door Island” by Acolyte Tempest

 

One of the most interesting interviews in history - Lionet

http://tibiasecrets.com/article.php?id=137

An interview with a CipSoft member is a serious task. To do it well, you need to be thoroughly prepared - learning as much as possible about your interviewee to craft perfectly tailored questions. At least, that’s how we approached it. We may not have conducted many interviews - only two - but let's recall our interview with Lionet because it stirred up quite a bit of excitement in the community. We knew that Lionet, as a game content designer, was a goldmine of knowledge, intriguing facts, and, due to his position, someone who knew the answers to the Tibian secrets that fascinated us. We knew we had to try to unveil some of those mysteries, especially since Lionet seemed like an open person with whom one could have an interesting and enjoyable conversation. Of course, we were also aware that he listened attentively to feedback during test servers and generously shared information about new quests and storylines. Yes, this interview was preceded by extensive research.

As a result, our entire team worked for over a month to create a set of more than 20 questions. This collective effort definitely paid off, as the interview was widely discussed not only on our Discord. The cherry on top was the three screenshots from locations inaccessible to players that Lionet provided. These were also analyzed in detail, as it’s not every day you get such a treat.
 

Bonelord Tome - our beloved fansite item

We couldn’t end this final article without mentioning our fansite item. We thought about it for a long time. We needed a strong symbol for our site and of the highest quality. 

We even considered running a contest, but while browsing through archived projects (submitted to contests by other fansites) that hadn’t won, the Bonelord Tome caught our attention. Its creator is the renowned artist, Lupus Aurelius. The item stood out for its meticulous attention to detail in its "idle state," but it was the animation that truly captivated us. So, the choice was clear. We realize we didn’t distribute many of these tomes during contests. This was partly because we wanted it to maintain a certain elite status among other fansite items. It's worth noting that year after year, it ranks among the top five most popular items in the Fansite Appreciation Day lottery.

The Bonelord - one of the most mysterious creatures in Tibia - also fits perfectly as a symbol of our site, which was reflected in our official banner and logo.

Lupus Aurelius prepared a short article about the history of this item’s creation - let's revisit it: https://tibiasecrets.com/bonelord_tome.php
 

Content on the Website and Discord - What’s Next?

Here’s some good news for you. Although the site is being closed, the content will not disappear from the internet. Thanks to our tech-admin Cony Island, when you visit our domain, you will be redirected to a copy of the site - a kind of archive - where you can find all of our articles along with screenshots. Essentially, nothing will be lost. I have already seen a preview of it. It should be ready soon. Believe me, it looks very good, and moreover, Cony is working to ensure that even the links leading to our site, which can be found all over the web, still work.
We thought we’d leave behind a kind of monument. Maybe this content will still inspire someone, or perhaps someone will want to revisit one of the articles, or simply take advantage of this knowledge accumulated over the years.

The important thing is that we’re not closing our Discord. It’s also a vast mine of knowledge, with almost a thousand users. It will remain as it is, and team members will still be there to keep an eye on discussions and new discoveries. It’s also always the quickest and most reliable way to talk to any of us. :) In any case, we have no plans to close it, and we encourage you to stay there and continue discussing your favorite mystery-related topics.

 

Will Anyone Replace Us?

Time will tell. It’s not easy to stand out now, as the community has grown significantly, and the amount of unique and groundbreaking content has decreased. But we definitely recommend checking out and keeping an eye on Cony’s site - https://talesoftibia.com/
 

The site is monitored by CipSoft and is working towards joining the fansite program. Even now, you can find there, for example, the most accurate collection of NPC transcriptions (to which we made a significant contribution) and a tool for retrieving them. And that’s not all. With Cony, an experienced DevOps, redactor, and generally well-known figure in the mysteriando community, this project is worth observing and following its development. I have a feeling you’ll be hearing more about it in the future.
 

Farewell from the Team

All current and former team members have agreed to use this opportunity to write a few words and personally say goodbye to you. Here are their messages:
 

Mogh
Although I have not been involved with TibiaSecrets for some time, given the current situation, Bosst asked me to share a few words as one of the founders of TibiaSecrets for this sad occasion. I want to say that TibiaSecrets existed for the Tibia mysteriando/mystery-solving community. Interestingly, this community, although small, is a unique phenomenon in the vast world of MMORPGs. You truly are - we truly are - amazing. And while the era of TibiaSecrets is coming to an end, the spirit of this wonderful community does not.

A long time ago, I placed a quote on the homepage of TibiaSecrets from the iconic series The X-Files: “The Truth Is Out There.” The message behind that quote still holds true! I still believe that Tibia hides both great and small secrets waiting to be discovered and revealed. Remember - so long as Tibia exists, its secrets will exist too. I hope that there will be successors who will spend countless hours discussing Tibian mysteries on Discord or forums, or writing brilliant articles that draw new players into the quest for secrets.

The end of TibiaSecrets is not the end of anything. It is the beginning of something new!

Mogh
 


Meadek
From my early days in Tibia, I always felt a special attraction to mysteries and fantasy stories. Of course, at first, I wasn’t aware that a game could hid such a deep development, as I didn’t spend time in libraries or search for hidden mechanics in intriguing places.

Yet, as I observed the environments, the scenery, and the architecture that covered the Tibian realms, I felt a mystical fascination, difficult to put into words, perhaps inspired by medieval tales or Tolkien-style movies.

In those years, exploring these settings in a virtual game was practically a luxury. The internet had just made its debut as an accessible tool to the general public, and the novelty of the matter was accentuated by our childish minds.

The feeling that everything I observed had an explanation, a deep-rooted ancient history, or the mere expectation that something might happen in the least expected place, sparked in me an insatiable thirst for curiosity.

Thus began a long adventure shared with like-minded communities, which eventually led me to the joy of being part of this wonderful fansite. With my colleagues, we shared experiences, knowledge, and a vast amount of research. We spent our free time basically seeking the unlooked-for, enjoying ourselves as if we were still children, thirsty for curiosity, learning about a new world.

Together, we were able to craft ideas that turned into articles, wishes that transformed into contests, and projects that forged strong bonds within the community.
For that reason, and without wanting to extend myself too much, I’d like to say goodbye by thanking Bosst, Mogh, Haishen, Mirius, Elkolorado, Lehula, and Cony for their great contributions to the community and for allowing me to share this beautiful adventure with them.

Thank you as well, dear readers, for being part of TibiaSecrets’ growth. I hope to have been part of a team that inspired to dive into the world of mysteries, to see the game through new eyes, or at the very least, to have provided you with entertaining reading during your free time.
Until we meet again,

Meadek
 

Haishen
The moment comes when we must say goodbye, and although it is not easy, I would like to thank each of you today for this unique journey we have taken together. Tibiasecrets was not just a website - it was a space where ideas, discoveries, collaboration, and, above all, friendships blossomed. We witnessed incredible moments and uncovered the deepest secrets of the world of Tibia, not just through computer screens but thanks to the deep involvement of each of you.

I would like to especially thank the entire team - it was your work, passion, and dedication that created this place, which became a home for so many players. Your commitment, the hours spent on analyses, theories, searches, and conversations with others - it was thanks to you that Tibiasecrets had a soul. We were a team that went far beyond the bounds of ordinary collaboration.

Community, you were the driving force behind this project. Without you, without your questions, comments, suggestions, and support, this journey would not have had the same meaning. Each of you contributed something unique, and for that, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. We were part of something greater than just a game - part of a story whose goal was not only to discover Tibia's secrets but also to build a unique community based on trust and passion.

Although our paths diverge today, I am convinced that each of us carries something valuable - memories, knowledge, and, hopefully, friendships that will last longer than the website itself. Tibiasecrets may disappear, but everything we achieved together will stay with us forever. I believe that each of us will carry the spirit of Tibiasecrets in our hearts, no matter where we go.

I wish you all to continue exploring, searching, and creating - no matter what the future brings. Thank you for everything, and see you - perhaps somewhere in the world of Tibia or in another place that we will discover.

Haishen

 

Cony Island
My time here was short, but I've been a reader since the beginning. They inspired me to pick up Tibia again for the sole purpose of finding 'secrets' - which grew into an unhealthy love for the lore. Thank you Tibiasecrets for having me and giving me a place to discuss, share thoughts and lore with the community. You'll still find me in the discord, and I've made it my personal quest to keep an archived version of the site running indefinitely.

All the love,
Cony Island


Lehula Dohon
Hello, dear friends! Today I feel mixed feelings as I write this paragraph to you. I am devastated by the end of this wonderful project, but happy for all the experiences I have had over the last three and a half years since I joined the Tibia Secrets team. I must thank all my colleagues, especially Bosst, for their trust and partnership. You are amazing. Tibia Secrets is coming to an end, but now it is up to you to continue the legacy with your own projects.

 See you soon.
 Lehula Dohon


Elkolorado
As we bring the curtains down on TibiaSecrets.com, I’d like to take a moment to thank the incredible team who made this journey so memorable. My deepest gratitude goes to Bosst, Mogh, Haishen, and everyone who has been part of this adventure. I am truly honored to have had the chance to be a part of this team, even if only for a while. The mysteries of Tibia have always been a source of fascination for me, and while the site may be closing, my commitment to uncovering secrets is far from over. I’ll continue to be active in the discord, exploring enigmas alongside all of you. For those who may stumble upon this message in the future, you’re always welcome to reach out to me at discord #elkolorado4566 Thank you for being part of this chapter. Here’s to many more mysteries to come.

With gratitude,
elkolorado

 

Mirius

This is the end of what feels to us like the best chapter so far in Tibia Mystery hunting. But this is not the end of the 'Mysteriando', and for sure more and better discoveries are to come.

Curiosity is the biggest virtue of humankind. It made us walk out of caves and on the moon, but what makes it so remarkable is how contagious it is. Like a pandemic, humankind spreads curiosity to every aspect of our lives. And something so small as a computer game like Tibia, with enough curiosity, can feel like exploring a whole new planet full of questions and mysteries.

We sincerely hope to have spread a little bit of that curiosity to you, our dear readers. We are sure all of you are capable of discovering much more than we ever could, no matter how limited time and resources are.

Stay curious, the truth is out there. Now it's YOUR turn.

Mirius

 

The Final Chapter

We are nearing the end of this article. Believe me, it wasn't easy to write - it’s never easy to say goodbye. It reminds me of the ending video from Quake III Arena - anyone still remember it? :) The video shows the final opponent/boss, Xaero, who, once defeated by the player, can finally leave the arena in glory and well-deserved rest. That’s the vision I have.

Thank you for all these years you’ve spent with us. A heartfelt thank you to CM Rejana, the fansite coordinator, for the trust, support, and collaboration. Finally, I want to express my deepest gratitude to my team for all the hard work and dedication. Working alongside you has been not just an honor but a profound privilege.

It's time for my concluding words…

Remember us and never stop searching.

The truth is out there.

 

Signed by:
Bosst and all current and former members of TibiaSecrets team
Mogh, Haishen, Lehula Dohon, Elkolorado, Mirius, Meadek, Cony Island

 

 

 

 

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