Windstalker Village

[Auriak]

I am trying to come up with some backstory for my new Paladin character.  I am thinking of having him been raised as the son of a blacksmith (since my character will be an armorer by trade) outside of Qeynos, particularly a small place like Windstalker Village.  I have been trying to find any lore related to the place, but haven't had any lucky.  I'm hoping maybe someone here can point me in the right direction or share some of their infinite wisdom.Thanks!<div></div>

[Y]

Windstalker Village was named after Holly Windstalker. During the Age of Turmoil (EQ1) she used to patrol the area north of Qeynos then called Qeynos Hills, and attack anyone who mistreated the animals in the area. You can now find her grave overlooking the village and her ghost patrolling the area.<div></div>

[Mary the Prophetess]

<div></div><p>Due to the fact that there is a decided lack of villages in EQ2 (One of the aspects of DAoC I appreciated the most was the number of villages there), a role-player has only a few options on where to locate their character's home.</p><p>Windstalker Village (which I refer to as Caer Windstalker), is the home of many player's characters.  I too have character's there that live in a 'prefectory' of the Sisters of the Rose of Erollisi Marr.</p><p>Windstalker Village has no specific lore that I am aware of other than the fact it is the location of Holly Windstalker's grave.</p><p>Let's see, we have the Crossroads Trading Post, the Keep of the Ardent Needle, The GnollSlayers Keep, and Windstalker Village as the only locations in Antonica other than Qeynos itself from which to choose a 'home'</p><p>The Thundering Steppes, have the Docks, Thundermist Village, and the Bridge Keep as the only options that come to mind.</p><p>Definately a limited number of choices. </p>

[Zabjade]

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS" color="#66cc00">I was thinking of having a character of mine from a small island village somewhat Northeast of the Thundering Steppes docks.  The Island was slowly sinking into the ocean under the weight of the long inactive Cobine Spires (the village started as a vigil of would-be rescue parties) . the village had only a few more years when disaster struck in the form of a female Djinn.The Villagers greated her friendly and decided to hold a festival in her honor, they made the mistake of having bards preform. Lets just say after she was done with the village the lucky ones were were rescued, some no longer in their birth forms. The unlucky were killed or made inanimate puppets (kind of undead) etc.Crazy Huh?But, it allows for races not normally gathered together, both before and after the Djinn visit there where various races both "good" and "evil".</font><div></div>

[Vhalen]

<div></div><p>Here's a bit on Windstalker Pond (a.k.a Windstalker Village). Some of this info never made it into gameplay, but it exists as part of the history of the little village by the pond.</p><p>Windstalker Pond is a small fishing village comprised of Antonican merchants. The few people who live there make their living from the fish they catch and the goods they create from the region's resources. Homes double as shops since adventurers frequent the pond to rent fishing boats or purchase supplies. There is no need for perimeter walls since the village exists within the protected realm of the Qeynos Guard. Even when the Qeynos Guard is not within an earshot, the villagers themselves are quite capable of defending themselves, as most are former rangers from the forest. It is that tie to the Jaggedpine Treefolke that keeps little to no animal hide materials in the village.<span>  </span></p><p><span></span> </p><span><p><span><span>q<span>       </span></span></span>History</p><p> </p><p>During the great battle against the Bloodsabers and Gnoll Alliance there was a great battle fought in the region called the Battle of Qeynos Hills. Many lives were lost as Qeynos Guard, Forest Folk and Villagers fought valiantly to drive back an onslaught of rabid gnolls. It was during this battle that a great ranger named Holly Windstalker ran across the hills to reach the undefended homestead of Marton Sayer. Sayer’s wife was there alone as was his infant. She found the home enveloped by a horde of rabid gnolls and drove through their vile ranks to reach the inside of the home. There she found the wife and child and held back the hordes until help could arrive. It was at that stand that she was infected with a deadly plague that eventually took her life.</p><p>Holly Windstalker was buried along the edge of a pond in Qeynos Hills that she often visited.</p><p> </p><p>A small fishing village soon sprung along those same banks, growing from an already established fishing camp. Marton Sayer eventually built a new shop and home in this village. Due to Sayer’s prestigious background as a ranger of the Protectors of Pine the village automatically looked towards him for leadership. The village remained small and tight knit, but grew in importance to the city of Qeynos’ economy. With all this growth the village needed a name. A vote was taken and the villagers agreed to name the village after the valiant ranger who was buried along the banks of the pond- Windstalker Pond.</p><p> </p><p>Windstalker Pond now acts as an important part of Qeynos Hills society and has even become the place where most Antonican druid and ranger initiates are sent to be tested before being allowed to enter Surefall Glade.<span>  </span></p><p></span> </p><p><span></span> </p><p><span></span> </p><p><span></span> </p><span><p><span><span>·<span>        </span></span></span>Windstalker Lilies</p><p>This is a beautiful lily that only grows in small patches around the grave of Holly Windstalker in Windstalker Pond village. It is illegal, by order of Antonius Bayle the IV, to pick these flowers.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>                      Windstalker Watch</p><p><span><span>·<span>        </span></span></span>Faction Leader: <span>Marton Sayer</span></p><p>The Windstalker Watch of the village of Windstalker Pond is primarily comprised of crusaders and priests on trial to become rangers and druids of the Jaggedpine Treefolke in Surefall Glade. It is in this village that they are first sent to be tested by a prestigious representative of the Jaggedpine Treefolke who now resides in the village. The Jaggedpine Treefolke is a good-natured organization of druids and rangers who worship Karana. They are the sworn defenders of the JaggedpineForest to the north. They have a strong alliance with Qeynos. They live to preserve the grand trees and natural habitat of JaggedpineForest. They are not a radical organization who bans destruction of natural resources of the forest but see that there is a balance that must be retained <font size="3" face="Times New Roman" color="#000000">within the forest to make sure that the serenity and grand environment remains. If one tree falls then one seed must be sown. All villagers are part of this faction.</font></p><p></span> </p>

[ChaosUndivided]

<div></div>Their must not very good defenders with all those cultists roaming in the forests:smileywink:

[Saroc_Luclin]

So does that mean that Surefall Glade remained connected to Antonica, while the Jagged Pine forest (and Unkempt Forest) were ripped away to form Zek? I always took it that Zek had SFGlade on it as well.Or is that forest northwest of the village the remains of SFGlade?Hmm, that pond, is that the one that Haydn always hung around and people kept snatching his earring from? Or is there another body of water unseen in EQLive that served as the location of the village? It certainly seems to (roughly) fit.Thanks for the lore update.   <div></div>

[Vhalen]

<div></div>The write up was created for post Age of Turmoil, not the Age of Destiny. Windstalker has remained a small village, but with new threats. Yes, Haydn used to fish there.

[knightinplaid]

<div></div>She may have been a bit overprotective of the aminals but she died well. :smileysad:

[Mary the Prophetess]

<div></div><p>Holly is (was) a Ranger.  Early on in EQ Live she had a Druid that assisted her in chasing down poachers in the Qeynos Hills.  The designers eventually decided that two NPCs attacking players who were aggroed by the wolves and bears in Qeynos hills was a little too extreme and the killed him off.</p><p>I can't quite remember his name, but I think it was Bret Treewalker , or something similar.  I wonder if his shade will ever be found in EQ2</p>

[JudeMorrig]

<div></div>The fellow you're thinking of was Cros Treewind.

[troodon311]

<div></div><blockquote><hr>Vhalen wrote:<div></div><p><span>Sayer’s wife was there alone as was his infant.</p><p></p><hr></blockquote><p>Hmm, so the first Gnollslayer quest from EQ1 has been finished in the EQ2 timeline :smileytongue:</p></span>

[Xery]

Hmm, there's a quest NPC in Graystone Yard that says Holly Windstalker was basically lynched by the people because she was overly zealous with her protection of the wildlife (unless I misread it).  Also, once you have Warmly faction with The Concordium, you can buy a tombstone for your house called "In memoriam: a celebration!"  When examined, it says "...and all within the residing area of Qeynos Hills rejoiced with the news of the death of the infamous Holly Windstalker!"Sounds like they hated her as much as evil EQ1 players =P<div></div>

[Cusashorn]

<div>No wonder the villagers there are always naked, wearing white refugee rags.</div>

[PenfoldShush]

<div></div><div></div><hr size="2" width="100%"><div></div><i>Yes, Haydn used to fish there.</i><hr size="2" width="100%">You mean Haden?"HADEN!!!!!!"edit:  before everyone goes crazy saying I'm angry or something, yelling Haden became a "battle cry" for me in EQ1.<p><span class="time_text"></span></p><p>Message Edited by PenfoldShush on <span class="date_text">03-14-2006</span><span class="time_text">04:57 PM</span></p>

[DataOutlaw]

<div></div><blockquote><hr>Vhalen wrote:<div></div><p><span>Windstalker Pond now acts as an important part of Qeynos Hills society and has even become the place where most Antonican druid and ranger initiates are sent to be tested before being allowed to enter Surefall Glade.<span>  </span></p></span><hr></blockquote>My first EQ1 character was a Human Ranger of Qeynos. My first day playing the game I was impressed with the sound of falling rain in Qeynos Hills and the layout of Surefall Glade. I spent many hours sitting by the pond in Surefall just fletching bows and arrows. My first EQ2 character was (is) a Barbarian Ranger and the thing I missed the most in EQ2 so far was Surefall Glade. This lore makes it seem almost possible that there may be a hidden entrance to Surefall Glade where only Ranger and Druids are allowed access? Maybe someday? <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[DataOutlaw]

<div></div><blockquote><hr>DataOutlaw wrote:<div></div>My first EQ1 character was a Human Ranger of Qeynos. My first day playing the game I was impressed with the sound of falling rain in Qeynos Hills and the layout of Surefall Glade. I spent many hours sitting by the pond in Surefall just fletching bows and arrows. My first EQ2 character was (is) a Barbarian Ranger and the thing I missed the most in EQ2 so far was Surefall Glade. This lore makes it seem almost possible that there may be a hidden entrance to Surefall Glade where only Ranger and Druids are allowed access? Maybe someday? <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><hr></blockquote>Come to think of it since they changes the low level class progression I feel a little less "connected" to my class. It might be nice to setup instanced zones for every class where at level 20 you can come to get class specific quests that result in class specific rewards. Just a thought...

[Quasicroa]

<div></div><div>Windstalker Village is an okay place if your a Bloodsaber an all, but time brings skeletons to all our closets I suppose.</div>

[Grace37]

Surefall Glade and Jagged pine forest were never truely near eachother that is a common mis conception because the main way to jagged pine forest was a portal orb in the cave behind the waterfall near the ranger station in surefall.in my opinion if you were to look as surefall in eq live and then Eldar Grove you will see a very familure waterfall with a yet also simular building built on stilts in the pond just like surefall glade.it is my opinion that Eldar Grove is indeed what remains of Surefall Glade.i also beleve there has been a second moon added to the sky sence days of old. some say that one was the old one while luclan was invisable but i have never heared anything to coberate this. my belefe is that the gods have placed this in the sky in prepairment of there return. i fear what will happen when they have noticed that we have endured and found we can handle things with out them there angre will be great

[troodon311]

<div></div><div></div><blockquote><hr>Grace37 wrote:it is my opinion that Eldar Grove is indeed what remains of Surefall Glade.<hr></blockquote><p>I remember back before release Moorgard said something to the effect of "I wish I could look on the face of the first Ranger who sees what's happened to Surefall".  I think that's as good of a hint as any that it's in Zek along with Jaggedpine.  On the old EQ1 map there's not too much space between Qeynos and Jaggedpine, and I think most of that can be chalked up to Qeynos Hills.</p><blockquote dir="ltr"><p></p><hr>i also beleve there has been a second moon added to the sky sence days of old. some say that one was the old one while luclan was invisable but i have never heared anything to coberate this.<hr></blockquote><p>I never noticed it but some of the posters here say you could see Luclin in Plane of Sky, meaning it was in fact hidden.  The moon you could see everywhere in EQ1 looked like Earth's moon, which means it looks like the EQ2 moon.  Just take our word for it, that moon up there is Drinal and it's been there for a long time</p><p>Message Edited by troodon311 on <span class="date_text">03-15-2006</span><span class="time_text">12:14 AM</span></p><p>Message Edited by troodon311 on <span class="date_text">03-15-2006</span><span class="time_text">12:14 AM</span></p>

[carpe_caminus]

<div><span><blockquote><hr>troodon311 wrote:<div></div><div></div><blockquote><hr>Grace37 wrote:it is my opinion that Eldar Grove is indeed what remains of Surefall Glade.<hr></blockquote><p>I remember back before release Moorgard said something to the effect of "I wish I could look on the face of the first Ranger who sees what's happened to Surefall".  I think that's as good of a hint as any that it's in Zek along with Jaggedpine.  On the old EQ1 map there's not too much space between Qeynos and Jaggedpine, and I think most of that can be chalked up to Qeynos Hills.</p><blockquote dir="ltr"><p></p><hr>i also beleve there has been a second moon added to the sky sence days of old. some say that one was the old one while luclan was invisable but i have never heared anything to coberate this.<hr></blockquote><p>I never noticed it but some of the posters here say you could see Luclin in Plane of Sky, meaning it was in fact hidden.  The moon you could see everywhere in EQ1 looked like Earth's moon, which means it looks like the EQ2 moon.  Just take our word for it, that moon up there is Drinal and it's been there for a long time</p><p>Message Edited by troodon311 on <span class="date_text">03-15-2006</span><span class="time_text">12:14 AM</span></p><p>Message Edited by troodon311 on <span class="date_text">03-15-2006</span><span class="time_text">12:14 AM</span></p><hr></blockquote>Actually, you could see Luclin in EQ1.  Drinal was the moon that had only been visible from the Plane of Sky.  For some reason we can now see Drinal from Norrath.  Luclin is the one that blew up and Drinal is the whole moon we now see in EQ2.</span></div>

[Saroc_Luclin]

<div><span><blockquote><hr>carpe_caminus wrote:<div><span>Actually, you could see Luclin in EQ1.  Drinal was the moon that had only been visible from the Plane of Sky.  For some reason we can now see Drinal from Norrath.  Luclin is the one that blew up and Drinal is the whole moon we now see in EQ2.</span></div><hr></blockquote></span><span><span>No, I'm afraid you still have it backwards. Luclin (the inhabited moon) was always hidden by the veil around it, except when Luclin herself decided to separate those veils for whatever reason. (Like to give inspiration to the Combine to gather the power needed to port up to Luclin originally).Drinal, on the other hand was just a rocky orb that was always visible from Norrath.In the original Plane of Sky's sky, you could see Luclin without hte Veil, Drinal, and the two other planets of the Ro system. (Both EQLive and EQII have models of the system in game now, and both models concur, indicating that what we always thought of as 2 extra moons either don't exist or were really the other two planets) </span></span></div>

[Auriak]

Thank you for the wonderful information, everyone. (Especially Vhalen)This is more than I was hoping more!<div></div>

[Bhagpuss]

<span><blockquote><hr>JudeMorrigan wrote:<div></div>The fellow you're thinking of was Cros Treewind.<hr></blockquote> Cros was, ironically, killed by a bear. My EQ1 ranger was fortunate enough to get his staff.I forget exactly which event it was that saw the death of Cros but it was part of the ride individuals/plague sequence I think.</span><div></div>

[wori]

<blockquote><hr>Xeryna wrote:Hmm, there's a quest NPC in Graystone Yard that says Holly Windstalker was basically lynched by the people because she was overly zealous with her protection of the wildlife (unless I misread it).  Also, once you have Warmly faction with The Concordium, you can buy a tombstone for your house called "In memoriam: a celebration!"  When examined, it says "...and all within the residing area of Qeynos Hills rejoiced with the news of the death of the infamous Holly Windstalker!"Sounds like they hated her as much as evil EQ1 players =P<div></div><hr></blockquote>very glad i found this post. i seen the tombstone in The Concordium and was wondering why they rejoiced after hearng Holly was dead (i know why i rejoyced after hearing she was a ghost in eq2, she was the first NPC to ever slay me in eq1...so i have had a grudge ever since.)  would like to know more about her if anyone has some info , please share <div></div>

[Cusashorn]

<DIV>You pretty much already know all the lore behind her from what NPC's tell you. She was a ranger who was so protective of the wildlife that she would viciously attack anyone who hunted any type of creature. She'd protect a rabid wolf riddled with the bubonic plague over you.</DIV>

[Zabjade]

<font color="#66ff00"><font size="2"><font face="Comic Sans MS">Even when the wolf aggroed on you and the kill was self defense, not to mention the kill was a couple of minutes old. One day I was in the middle of a trade (Etc) and BAM I and the person I was either talking to or trading with were one-shotted. </font></font></font><div></div>

[Cusashorn]

<DIV>She attacks you even if the wolf agros you and you're trying to run away.</DIV>

[Zabjade]

<font color="#66ff00"><font size="2"><font face="Comic Sans MS">The only thing that kept me from taking her on later when I was near her level was gear and unsureness of the faction hits. </font></font></font><div></div>

[Mary the Prophetess]

I believe she was on the Protectors of the Pine Faction, and Cros Treewind (while he was still in the game), was on the Jagged Pinetree Folk;  but heck, that was like 7 years ago now, so I am not sure.  Illia's would have that information probably.