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Showing posts with label Jikaril. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jikaril. Show all posts

Tuesday, 21 January 2025

Return to Everquest 2 - Jikaril day 2: The Commonlands

Navigating the Conflict Between the Freeport Militia and the Alliance of Dervishes and Orcs

The commonlands

The Commonlands serves as a battleground where the Freeport Militia, loyal to the oppressive city of Freeport, seeks to maintain control and eliminate threats to their rule. Opposing them is an Alliance of Dervishes and Orcs, two factions united in their mutual hatred of Freeport and its dominance over the region.

This conflict is central to many of the quests in the Commonlands zone, and players will experience the escalation of hostilities as they progress through these quests.

When players first enter the Commonlands zone, they encounter orc marauders and bandit groups who frequently clash with the Freeport Militia’s forces. The Freeport Militia, acting on orders from Lucan D'Lere, is tasked with securing the region and protecting Freeport's interests. They view the orcs as a significant threat to their rule, as the orcs have established several strongholds in the zone.

The orcs in the Commonlands are led by General Gwal and are part of a larger orc faction that seeks to destabilize Freeport’s control over the region. Early quests introduce players to the conflict by asking them to clear out orc camps and disrupt their activities, such as destroying orc supplies or eliminating key orc leaders.

As players progress, they learn about the Dervishes, a nomadic group of desert warriors that have joined forces with the orcs in an unlikely alliance. The Dervishes are initially seen as a mysterious force, but it soon becomes clear that they are united with the orcs by a shared disdain for Freeport and its militaristic expansion. The Dervishes, led by their charismatic leader Al’Tarri, are skilled in desert warfare and guerrilla tactics. They have traditionally lived in the desert regions surrounding Freeport, and while they aren’t directly aligned with Freeport’s enemies, their dislike of the city has grown due to Freeport’s encroachment on their lands and resources.

Together, the Dervishes and Orcs form a dangerous alliance that poses a serious threat to Freeport’s military presence in the Commonlands. This coalition is based on mutual benefit, with both factions sharing a desire to drive out Freeport’s forces. As the conflict intensifies, the Freeport Militia begins to see the Dervish-Orc alliance as an escalating threat, leading to increased military actions.

As players advance through the quests, they are increasingly drawn into the conflict. The Freeport Militia tasks adventurers with eliminating both the orc strongholds and the Dervish war camps, as both factions coordinate attacks against Freeport’s forces. Players are sent to disrupt the orc and Dervish alliance by attacking their camps, assassinating key leaders, and destroying their resources. These quests paint the Dervishes and Orcs as a growing and organized force, determined to challenge Freeport's authority in the region.

Conversely, quests that support the Alliance of Dervishes and Orcs show the growing strength and unity of the two factions. The Dervishes and Orcs, led by Al'Tarri and General Gwal, plan to rally more forces from the wilderness and desert. They aim to strike Freeport’s supply lines, weaken its control of the Commonlands, and drive its military out of the region. During these quests, players also begin to uncover that the alliance is not purely driven by political motives but is further complicated by personal vendettas, including ancient grudges between the orc tribes and the Freeport leadership, and the Dervishes' desire for freedom from Freeport’s oppressive control.

By the time players reach the latter stages of their time in the Commonlands, the conflict has reached a boiling point. Freeport’s military, led by the Freeport Militia, is engaged in a full-scale push to crush the Alliance of Dervishes and Orcs. Players are caught in the middle of large battles between the two sides, and quests become more focused on strategic military operations, espionage, and sabotage.

The Alliance of Dervishes and Orcs begins to launch counterattacks on Freeport’s outposts, aiming to weaken the city’s hold on the zone. Players might be tasked with defending key Freeport positions or participating in skirmishes that decide the fate of certain strongholds. In response, the Freeport Militia escalates its efforts, attempting to wipe out the last remnants of the Alliance of Dervishes and Orcs. Players will be sent on missions to eliminate key members of the alliance, dismantle their forces, and prevent any further attacks on Freeport’s supply routes.

As players conclude the quests in the Commonlands, they witness the results of this conflict. The Freeport Militia may temporarily secure the region, but the Alliance of Dervishes and Orcs will likely retreat, regrouping for future conflict. This sets the stage for the ongoing tension in the zone and hints at further battles to come.

The Freeport Militia vs. The Alliance of Dervishes and Orcs conflict in the Commonlands unfolds through a series of quests where players are tasked with either supporting Freeport’s control over the region or aiding the Dervish-Orc alliance in their rebellion against Freeport. The Freeport Militia seeks to maintain dominance in the zone, fighting against orc and Dervish forces that threaten their authority. The Alliance of Dervishes and Orcs seeks to undermine Freeport's rule, with a shared goal of freeing the region from Freeport’s oppressive rule. Players participate in a variety of quests that highlight skirmishes, ambushes, and larger battles, leading to an eventual escalation of hostilities between the two factions.

The storyline is a classic tale of power, rebellion, and territorial control, with each faction vying for dominance in the harsh environment of the Commonlands.

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

The Path to Power: Levels 1–10 in Freeport

The City of 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.

Monday, 25 November 2024

Returning to Everquest 2: Initial impressions


Jikaril the Iksar Beastlord

Back to Everquest II

One of the memories I have most enjoyed in my recent walk down memory lane has been to re-visit Everquest II.

I played when it first released and when I logged back in, I discovered a character which I obviously have not played since the release.



One of the quests which is shown as outstanding is the "Spirit Shard Recovery Quest" and the other is "Lasydia's Call". This would tend to suggest that I played the character on newbie island but that they died probably fighting the sharks that used to be found there and in all likelihood it was named shark. The named shark is still there, but that is all there is in the latest version.

The other evidence was that the character was simply a 'scout'. Back in the day a character choose increased specialisation at both level 5 and level 10 (if I recall correctly) so my main character was a scout, then a bard, then a troubadour.

After Jikaril died, I must have logged off and forgotten about him and he has sat for nigh on 25 years... several server merges later (there is now just a single European server) and there he is waiting to be re-discovered.

As I log in, I am offered the chance to select a character class, I notice beastlord. This is a class which was not available previously and it is a scout class so this will be the perfect opportunity to try something new.

The first thing I was required to do was to correct the user interface ("UI"), this was fairly simply it just required opening up extra hotbars by right-clickiing the one which was open and asking for it to open another. I settled on six in the end as the right number. Then I had no idea what any of the abilities did so it was a case of clearing all the hotbars and then going through the knowledge journal and adding buttons for each ability. I like to separate out close combat from ranged combat from permanent buffs from non-combat abilities. There is always a little trial and error until for example I discover which ability has the longest range and which abilities work with the heroic opportunity button and in which order.

Because he is only level 7 (I gained two levels on login for some reason) there is not much for me to have forgotten. With some of the other characters I have ranging up to level 90 which was the cap last time I played, I would not want to blindly blunder into a high level group and not know what I am doing so that is where the Chronomage comes in. You can lower your level to any multiple of 5 and get some practice in a non-dangerous, non-potentially friendship destroying way.

Of course i don't know what i don't know about Everquest II and what has been added in the recent past, but I will no doubt find out as I go along.

Level 20 Beastlord/Level 20 Provisioner as of 25th November 2024.