v.141 - Cygnus Awakening Update Notes

on EXP penalty removal - does that extend to drops?

Probably not, or they'd say so. Then again, maybe they just don't know it's changed too.

on monster Gems quest - yay - at last, I can start to prepare to expand farm to max size. anyway they were supposed to be available from daily giftbox. probably noone bought from CS

eye of fire for 80 ML coins - is it worth it?

Someone posted that they got a Gem in the daily box. But it's so rare as to be useless. I, too, would be glad to be able to expand my farm further. Remains to be seen what this repeatable quest for a Gem entails.

Eye of Fire - I think they sell for about 5m meso in FM. Up to you whether you find that easier to earn than 80 ML coins. (Considering Krexel quests give 7.5m meso a day... OTOH, the update notes say something about Krexel's skills being updated. Might actually become hard to kill?)

Levant Day

September 6
Requirement: Lv. 13 or above

Log into MapleStory on September 6 and receive the Levant Day Package through the gift box icon on the left side of the game window.
Limit one package per account.
You'll need to relog to see the gift box icon if you're already logged in at midnight, or if you level up to meet the level restriction.

Reward:

1.5x EXP coupon (1 hour) - Receive a 1.5x EXP buff for 1 hour
Fireworks - Ignites fireworks on the map where your character is for 30 seconds. Enter a message of your choice.
Sunny Day - A special effect in which you'll see a brightly smiling sun floating over you. On the KeyConfig, configure this on a button of your choice to turn the effect on/off.
Moon & the Stars - A special effect in which you’ll see a brightly smiling moon floating around in a sea of stars over you. On the KeyConfig, configure this on a button of your choice to turn the effect on/off.
2X Drop Coupon - Increases your item drop rate by 2 times for 1 hour.
Soccer Cleats

To all our players in parts of the Levant that are undergoing turmoil, we hope you and your loved ones are able to stay safe.

What?
Not that I mind a free 1.5x coupon and other stuff, but this makes even less sense than the Peru Independence Day.
Apparently it's supposed to be Nexon's way of showing support to the beleaguered Syrian people ("Levant" is somewhat synonymous to "Near East"), but it's so random. Soccer Cleats???