Frostreaver TLP - Barbarian Shaman Guide Part 2: Levels 5-10 Through Blackburrow to Earn the Initiate Symbol of the Tribunal

By the time a Barbarian Shaman reaches level five, they should have acquired a few pieces of armour, a handful of spells, and enough confidence to venture beyond the frozen channels of Everfrost. The next major goal is obtaining one of the most useful items available to a young Shaman: the Initiate Symbol of the Tribunal.

This quest begins with Jinkus Felligan, a Shaman Guildmaster located inside the Temple of the Tribunal in Halas at approximately +322.8, +446.8. He can be found using the Find function (Ctrl+F).

For more information about the quest: Initiate Symbol of the Tribunal

When hailed, Jinkus introduces new members to the Shamans of Justice and offers an opportunity to contribute to the church. After identifying yourself as new to the order and expressing a willingness to contribute, he eventually offers a delivery task.

The Church of the Tribunal works closely with the guards of Qeynos, and Jinkus has been tasked with preparing a wanted poster for a newly identified criminal. Before he can create the poster, however, he requires two materials.

The first is a piece of Mammoth Hide Parchment from Cindl, the tailoring supplies merchant inside Mac's Kilts. Returning players may remember Cindl from the Polar Bear Skin quest discussed in Part One of this guide. She is located behind the counter at approximately +277.4, -169.7.

Simply tell her:

"I need a mammoth hide parchment."

She will hand you the parchment required for the quest.

The second item comes from Greta Terrilon, who can be found near the oven outside McDaniels Smokes & Spirits at approximately +277.4, -323.6.

Unlike many classic EverQuest quests, there is no item gathering involved. Simply obtain the parchment from Cindl and the Datura Ink from Greta before returning to Jinkus.

Hand both items to Jinkus and he will prepare a wanted poster.

At this point the quest changes dramatically.

Until now, everything has taken place within the safety of Halas. The next step requires travelling all the way to Qeynos.

This journey means passing through Blackburrow.

For many Barbarian Shamans this is the first truly significant expedition of their career. Blackburrow is no longer simply a place to gain experience and collect gnoll fangs. It has become part of a mission entrusted to you by the Tribunal itself.

The route is straightforward in theory. Leave Halas, travel through Everfrost, enter Blackburrow, and make your way through the dungeon until you emerge in Qeynos Hills. From there continue south into Qeynos.

In practice, the journey can be dangerous. Blackburrow contains trains, wandering gnolls, and groups of enemies capable of overwhelming an unprepared adventurer. Many players choose to combine the trip with a session of gnoll hunting, collecting fangs for Lysbith McNaff while making their way south.

Your destination is the bank in South Qeynos. Just inside the entrance, to the left, stands Guard Eracon Krengon at approximately +319.5, -453.3.

Unlike many quest NPCs, Eracon does not respond to hails.

Simply hand him the wanted poster.

In exchange he provides a list of Qeynos' Most Wanted and asks that it be returned to Jinkus in Halas so that the Church of the Tribunal may be informed of the criminals still at large.

This means there is no shortcut to the reward.

The journey through Blackburrow must now be repeated in reverse.

With the list safely in your inventory, retrace your route through Qeynos Hills, pass once more through Blackburrow, cross Everfrost, and return toward Halas.

Making the Most of the Journey

The Initiate Symbol quest requires two journeys through Blackburrow: once on the way to Qeynos and once on the return trip to Halas.

Rather than simply running through the dungeon, many Barbarian Shamans choose to combine the quest with other activities.

Blackburrow gnolls frequently drop Gnoll Fangs which can be turned in to Lysbith McNaff in the Pit of Doom back in Halas. These turn-ins provide useful experience and coin and are worth collecting whenever possible.

For more information about the quest: Gnoll Fang Quest

Gnolls also drop Gnoll Fur Patches. These are used in a tailoring-related quest for Ysanna MacGibbon, the Rogue Guildmaster in Halas.

For more information about the quest: Gnoll Fur Patches

Even if you are focused on completing the Initiate Symbol quest, it is worth saving both items. By the time you return to Halas with your new holy symbol, you may also have accumulated several additional quest turn-ins.

An Optional Journey to West Karana

Once you have reached Qeynos, adventurous Barbarian Shamans may wish to continue a little further before returning to Halas.

Two quests available at this stage both lead to the same destination in West Karana, making them easy to complete together.

The first comes from Jinkus Felligan, the Shaman Guildmaster in Halas.

For more information: Karana Clovers

The second comes from Teria O'Danos.

For more information: Lion Meat Shipment

Both quests ultimately require you to locate Einhorst McMannus in West Karana.

Einhorst can be found at approximately -3810, -2095 in the south-western corner of the zone, living in a small fishing shack.

For many Barbarian Shamans this may be their first visit to the Karanas. After leaving the snow and ice of Everfrost behind, the vast grasslands of West Karana can feel almost impossibly large.

Neither quest is required to obtain the Initiate Symbol of the Tribunal, but if you are already making the journey to Qeynos and feel confident travelling further afield, they can be completed at the same time before making the long trip back to Halas.

Back to Halas

Hand the list to Jinkus Felligan and he will reward you with the Initiate Symbol of the Tribunal.

More importantly, he formally recognises your service to the church and grants you the blessing of the Tribunal.

The symbol itself is a useful item for a young Shaman, providing helpful statistics at a stage of the game when every bonus matters. Its true value, however, becomes apparent later when it grants the ability to summon a magical hammer. For a character who began life carrying nothing more than a crude club, the ability to conjure a weapon through faith feels nothing short of miraculous.

Part One of this guide taught an important lesson: loot is rarely just loot.

Part Two teaches another: in EverQuest, the journey is often the reward.

To earn the Initiate Symbol, a young Barbarian Shaman must leave the safety of Halas, cross Everfrost, survive Blackburrow, reach Qeynos, and then do it all again on the return journey. By the time the symbol rests around your neck, you are no longer merely a novice. You have crossed Everfrost, survived Blackburrow, carried the Tribunal's message to Qeynos and returned home again. You have become a servant of the Tribunal.

From Guide to Story

Much of the route described in this guide was also used as the basis for the opening chapters of Caradawc. If you would like to see what these early adventures might have felt like from the perspective of a young Barbarian Shaman, you can read:

Caradawc: The White Breath of Everfrost: Chapter One

The story follows Caradawc's earliest days in Halas, his first hunts in Everfrost, and the beginning of the journey that will eventually lead him beyond Blackburrow and into the wider world.