Return to Everquest 2 - Jikaril day 1: The City of Freeport

The Path to Power: Levels 1–10 in Freeport

Freeport, the oppressive and vibrant heart of Lucan D'Lere’s rule, welcomes adventurers with an aura of danger and intrigue. While many start their journey on the Isle of Refuge, this windswept training ground feels like an isolated bubble compared to the raw grit of Freeport itself. True initiates of the Overlord often bypass the island entirely, choosing instead to plunge headfirst into the city’s murky politics and challenges.

Those who begin in Freeport find themselves in one of its grimy outlying districts, known as the suburbs. Each area reflects the fractured tapestry of Freeport’s underbelly. Beggar’s Court, with its crumbling buildings and huddled masses, teems with tension as refugees and criminals jostle for survival. Here, the city’s newest arrivals are conscripted into enforcing the Overlord’s will. You might find yourself rooting out dissidents spreading whispers of rebellion, chasing them through back alleys or confronting them in dark corners of the sewers. Every task reinforces your role in maintaining Lucan’s iron grip over the weak.

Beyond Beggar’s Court lies the chaos of the Sprawl, where rival gangs clash for dominance and lawlessness reigns. Freeport’s leadership often views this district as a crucible where loyalty is tested and forged. Under the watchful gaze of Lucan’s enforcers, you might find yourself eliminating troublemakers, retrieving stolen goods, or subduing unruly factions. Each success strengthens your standing in the eyes of the city’s powerbrokers, even as it stains your hands with the blood of Freeport’s enemies.

The other suburban districts offer their own unique challenges. Longshadow Alley, shrouded in shadows and secrets, is a haven for the dark elves. Intrigue thrives here, where you navigate the murky waters of betrayal and ambition. You might uncover plots to smuggle forbidden artifacts or even spy on rival houses suspected of treachery against Lucan. It is a place where survival demands cunning, and trust is a fleeting commodity.

As you carve your path through these districts, the greater city of Freeport looms large. It is a place of labyrinthine streets, towering spires, and harsh contrasts. North Freeport and East Freeport bristle with the wealth of merchants and military power, while West Freeport and South Freeport pulse with the chaos of docks and industry. From the moment you step into the city proper, you are swept into a dance of power and survival, as even the simplest tasks serve as stepping stones in the grand hierarchy of Lucan’s empire.

Below the surface of these districts lies a darker realm: the instanced pockets of Freeport’s underbelly. The sewers and hidden passageways harbor dangers far more insidious than surface skirmishes. Here, adventurers uncover forgotten relics, face monstrous foes, and unearth secrets that would shatter lesser souls. These instances test the mettle of those who dare venture into their depths, rewarding the bold with treasures and knowledge.

By the time you rise to level 10, you will have forged your reputation in the city’s eyes, proven your loyalty—or ruthlessness—and prepared yourself for greater challenges ahead. The journey through Freeport’s shadowed streets and perilous secrets is not for the faint of heart, but for those with ambition, it is the perfect proving ground.