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.

Return to Everquest 2: The shattered world of Norrath awaits

The Deep Lore of EverQuest 2: Exploring the Shattered World of Norrath

EverQuest 2 is a game that captivates players not only with its engaging gameplay but also with its rich, immersive lore. Set in a world forever changed by catastrophe, the game offers a unique experience for anyone who enjoys discovering the mysteries of ancient civilizations, uncovering lost artifacts, and navigating the lingering effects of past events. At the heart of this expansive story is The Shattering, a cataclysmic event that reshaped Norrath and set the stage for everything that follows.

Shattered Lands

The Shattering: A World in Ruins

Norrath, once a thriving world of powerful civilizations, now lies in ruins after the catastrophic event known as The Shattering. This disaster brought devastating earthquakes, storms, and the collapse of entire cities, leaving much of the landscape broken and scarred. The Shattering was not only a physical upheaval—it marked the downfall of many gods and the collapse of once-great empires. The effects of this event still echo throughout the game, influencing the factions, races, and locations players encounter.

As you explore the vast lands of EverQuest 2, you'll come across remnants of these lost civilizations—ruins, temples, and forgotten cities. These areas are steeped in the lore of the past, with ancient artifacts hidden within them, waiting to be uncovered by those daring enough to venture into the unknown. The game encourages players to explore these crumbling ruins, as each one holds clues to the history of Norrath, its previous inhabitants, and the events that led to its current state.

The Ongoing Struggle for Dominance

The Shattering didn’t just break the world; it fractured the power structures that had held Norrath together. In the wake of this destruction, two cities, Freeport and Qeynos, stand as the primary bastions of power. Freeport, ruled by the tyrannical Lucan D'Lere, embraces chaos and militarism, while Qeynos remains a beacon of hope for those seeking peace and justice.

As a player, you’ll find yourself at the center of this struggle for control over the future of Norrath. Will you align with the forces of tyranny and might, or fight to preserve the fragile hope of rebuilding a world torn apart by centuries of conflict? The decisions you make as you progress through the game will impact not just the cities but the fate of the entire world.

A World of Exploration and Discovery

What makes EverQuest 2 truly special is its deep connection to the past. Many areas you’ll explore are filled with ancient, long-forgotten civilizations that have left their mark on the world. The game's questlines often involve unearthing these lost pieces of history, whether it's a forgotten temple, a ruined castle, or a once-prosperous city now overtaken by monsters and the remnants of ancient magic.

Each zone offers a window into Norrath's history, allowing you to learn about the gods, the empires, and the civilizations that came before. Some ruins are home to powerful creatures, traps, and puzzles that protect the secrets buried within. As you uncover these mysteries, you not only gain insight into the world’s past but also reap valuable rewards, such as powerful artifacts and lore that deepen your understanding of the game’s expansive world.

Lingering Effects of the Shattering

Even though the Shattering occurred long ago, its effects are still felt throughout Norrath. The land is unstable, with rifts in the earth, magical storms, and the return of dark, otherworldly forces. These dangers present themselves in the form of monsters, deadly environments, and ancient curses that players must face in their journey. The game’s quests often center around dealing with these lingering effects—whether it’s sealing rifts, battling creatures from other planes, or confronting the rise of dark cults that seek to exploit the chaos left behind by the Shattering.

The past, with all its glory and destruction, has a profound impact on the present. The remnants of past empires, the broken temples, and the ancient artifacts scattered across Norrath all serve as a reminder that history is never truly gone—it continues to shape the world, even if its true meaning has been forgotten by most.

Conclusion: A Journey Through Time

EverQuest 2 offers a world brimming with history, mystery, and adventure. As you journey through this shattered world, you’ll uncover the secrets of the past and witness the ongoing struggles for survival and dominance in a world forever changed. Whether you're exploring the ruins of fallen civilizations, confronting the forces that seek to control the world, or simply learning about the ancient gods that once shaped Norrath, there’s always something new to discover.

The devastation of the past is not just a backdrop—it's the very fabric of the world you’ll be exploring. With every step you take in EverQuest 2, you're not just adventuring through a living, breathing world; you're uncovering the echoes of a shattered world, and in doing so, you’re helping shape its future.

Are you ready to uncover the mysteries of Norrath and become a part of its history? The journey awaits!

Archmage: Reincarnation from Hell - Reincarnated

Recently I was trawling through everything old on my computer systems and the nostalgia of it all forced me to ask what has happened to...

Archmage: Reincarnation from Hell

Launched in 1998, Archmage was created by Korean telecommunications company MARI, which has since gone bankrupt. They ceased supporting and hosting it.

The background story to the game was that,

"After the Great Mage War, sages believe the gods used their powers to prevent man from accessing magic in order to stop further bloodshed. However, Lucifer eventually revealed the secrets once again and war began anew, the surviving souls of the arch-mages returning from Hell to once again battle for power and supremacy, even if their struggle may ultimately result in the destruction of all life on Terra."

Archmage: Reincarnation from Hell was a free-to-play massively multiplayer turn-based browser game where each player was a resurrected arch-mage attempting to lead their kingdom to supremacy, juggling economy, development, exploration, research, diplomacy and, perhaps most of all, sorcery and warfare. Various servers were available, each with different rules determining whether guilds or even allies were allowed, the speed at which turns were gained, ranging from five to 20 minutes for each, and the maximum number which could be saved until any new ones were lost. Yet other servers offered localized versions of the game.

While exploring for new lands was an option in the early game, even the most peaceful quickly found themselves engaged in bitter warfare against other arch-mages, summoning or hiring creatures and heroes, casting spells, obtaining and using items and even striving to gain, or at least to avoid losing, the favor of the gods, whether in order to expand or merely to survive until the seven seals of Armageddon were broken and an age ended. At that point, the arch-mages which had successfully cast the Armageddon spell without being stopped by others, along with the top ranked ones, had their names enshrined in the Hall of Immortality and the server reset, all players starting anew.

Unbelievably, I am obviously not the only one with fond memories as the game has been moved to a different server, may I present...

Returning to Everquest 2: Initial impressions

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.