Who are the Free Thinkers?

[Jaradcel]

*looks around sheepishly* I'm a bit of a lurker and don't really read these forums despite loving the lore of EQ2 very much. I got directed here by news of the lore quest and loved it very much - It's exactly the sort of thing I live for when doing quests in game (Still at less than 1.1K but climbing!)I'm interested to know more about this.. Society of Free Thinkers? I tried searching for information but there really isn't much around here. All I know is is that Fiddy Bobick and Kyle Bayle are important to it? Am I correct? Could I have some information please? <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Cusashorn]

<DIV>If you do the Peacock quest line in DoF, you're introduced to them... but you don't learn much about who or what they are.</DIV>

[Nocturnal Aby]

<P>Heh, unfortunately, not much is known about these guys by anyone.  Fiddy Bobick is a member of the Freethinkers, but I don't recall seeing any mention of Kyle.</P> <P>As you work your way through the Peacock Series aka Prismatic 2, you come across a human by the name of Marshal Ralem Christof.  He is trying to track down the peacock cult, and prevent the Ewer of Sul'Dae from getting into the wrong hands.  After other forces clear out the Peacock Club, he moves in there and sets up shop for the League of Freethinkers.  An associate of mine has some screenshots of conversations he had with some of the patrons of this tavern after he completed the series, here's a link to those.</P> <P><A href="http://www.darkrain.co.uk/journal/viewtopic.php?t=568" target=_blank>http://www.darkrain.co.uk/journal/viewtopic.php?t=568</A></P> <P>Hopefully he doesn't mind, heh</P> <P>Some of the text he missed I have here, I haven't completed the series quite yet (need to kill godking), its quite interesting.</P> <P>Marshal Ralem Christof says to you, "Impressive work in the buried city.  You may be useful someday."</P> <P>You say to Marshal Ralem Christof, "What happened to this place?  It used to be a secret club?"</P> <P>Marshal: "It still is a secret club.  So try and keep your mouth shut about this place when wandering about." (oops)</P> <P>You: "Are you the owner now?"</P> <P>MRC: "Ha! I wish. No. The proprieter is Kalagari.  He operates the tavern as a secret lodge of the League of Freethinkers."</P> <P>You: "And you're one of these Freethinkers?"</P> <P>MRC: "Bullseye!  You're really catching on aren't you?"</P> <P>"And giving me the key to enter here means so am I"</P> <P>"Umm...no!  I am afraid not.  But you show promise.  Maybe someday I can fill you in on what a Freethinker truly is.  Now don't you have to run along and save Maj'Dul or something."</P> <P>"That right (sic). I better get to saving this city.  Till Yonder."</P> <P>MRC: "Yes, Till Yonder"</P> <P>You: "See you around Marshal"</P> <P> </P> <P>Another patron is Barmaid Annia, a dark elf woman with the level 30 formal wear:</P> <P>Annia: "Welcome to the Peacock Club Tavern.  Try to behave yourself.  Kegtosser is stronger than he appears."</P> <P>You: "I have a question on for you."</P> <P>Annia: "What do you have on your mind?"</P> <P>Me: "I have Annia on my mind"</P> <P>Annia: "That's pronounced Annia, as in annihilation.  Utter destruction you know?  So be careful what you say and try and behave yourself"</P> <P>"I have something something to ask you"</P> <P>"What is the Peacock Club Tavern"</P> <P>"This is just a place for Freethinkers and their prospects come for safety and to share information.  So enjoy your visit to this establishment and try not mention us beyond these walls (sic)"</P> <P>"I have something to ask you"</P> <P>"What do you have on your mind?"</P> <P>"What is the deal with Kalagari?"</P> <P>"Kalagari? Don't be afraid.  He's a softy now.  He's been a Freethinker for as long as I can recall.  He and I have fought many unnatural horrors and defeated them all.  For our deeds we were offered a much safer position within the ranks of the Freethinkers."</P> <P>"I can't think of any questions.  Thanks."</P> <P> </P> <P>And since she mentioned him, Kalgari, a white minotaur:</P> <P>"Hail, Kalagari"</P> <P>"Mmrrmph! What will it be?  Look about and let me know if you see your favorite grog. Mmrrmph!"</P> <P>"I have a question to ask you."</P> <P>"Mmrrmph! Question? What do you want to know?"</P> <P>"What is the Peacock Club Tavern?"</P> <P>"Mmrrmph! If you received a ket to this establishment then that means that one of our high ranking members respects your work.  That's all I can say."</P> <P>"I have a question."</P> <P>"Mmrrmph! Question? What do you want to know?"</P> <P>"Who own this place?"</P> <P>"This place has no single owner.  It belongs to the League of Freethinkers.  It's just one of our private lodges on Norrath."</P> <P>"What is the League of Freethinkers?"</P> <P>"If you were offered a key then you've earned a Freethinkers trust. Mmrrmph! But that doesn't mean you're ready to hear what we're all about."</P> <P>"I have another question."</P> <P>"Mmrrmph! Question? What do you want to know?"</P> <P>"What is that monster, Kegtosser, doing in here?"</P> <P>"Mmrrmph! Don't worry about Kegtosser.  He used to be a Freethinker, actually a few of them. WHen we found him we managed to convert the near mindless creature.  He makes a good bouncer. Mmrrmph! Got to keep our lodges secure." (Kegtosser is a patchwork man near the door)</P> <P>"I have another question."</P> <P>"Mmrrmph! Question? What do you want to know?"</P> <P>"What do I do in here?"</P> <P>"Mmrrmph! Few trotters ever get to see a lodge of the League of Freethinkers.  When they do, they just need to enjoy the ambiance. Mmrrmph! The Freethinkers will get to you when you're ready."</P> <P>"I have another question."</P> <P>"Mmrrmph! Question? What do you want to know?"</P> <P>"I can't think of anything. Thanks anyways"</P> <P> </P> <P>And there you have it.  That's about all we know about the Freethinkers.  Were I to make some assumptions?  Well, it looks like at least one of their duties is keeping the Vampire Lord, Mayong Mistmoore, in check.  The few members we have access to also seem to have unusually long lives, such as Fiddy, and Christof seems to be fairly old himself, can't recall seeing him in EQ, but it's very possible.  Not sure why Fiddy's name is in the Obelisk of Lost Souls, but that bears ponderance as well!  Maybe the Ewer of Sul'Dae was originally brought be the Shadowed Men, and they are sort of trying to undue, or at least limit the impact they've had on our world, or maybe they, too, are after the Ewer, who knows?</P>

[Jaradcel]

Isn't Kyle Bayle mentioned in the Obelisk? Also if you do the Claymore series, his soul is trapped (till you free it) in the Sanctum of Scaleborn and mentions something about the Claymore (And Sir Gribbly the Gallant) Considering that those who are Freethinkers seem to be living for quite some time, and Kyle Bayle doesn't appear to fit into the "Current age" of Antonio Bayle, would that make sense?

[Mary the Prophetess]

<P>On a side note:</P> <P>Raelm Christoff was a long lost NPC from EQ Live.  He was alluded to by NPCs in Surefall Glade, and in South Qeynos, but he was never found.</P> <P><FONT color=#ffff00 size=2>Te 'Anara says,</FONT></P> <P><EM><FONT color=#ffff00 size=2>"Ralem Christoff is one of the finest warriors to come out of the Jaggedpine. He serves as the Field Marshall for a roving band of Rangers."</FONT></EM></P>

[Vhalen]

<DIV>Marshal Ralem Christof's ancestor was indeed, another Ralem Christof. The first Ralem Christof lived in the Age of Turmoil. He was the original leader of the Green Hoods. Here is a bit about that:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Antonius Bayle IV was known as the Great Avenger. Antonius Bayle was a grand and noble ruler. Although widely popular, there were some that disliked a number of The Great Avenger's new laws. To the dismay of local poachers and a hide merchants as well, he created a stronger bond between Qeynos and Surefall Glade. This bond created new laws that banned the hunting of many of the creatures in Surefall Glade as well as a small number of endangered species in Qeynos Hills. This strong bond with Surefall Glade had many advantages and one major advantage was the training and forming of a new division of the Qeynos Guard called the Green Hoods, a roving army of rangers and warriors.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So you see; our Marshal Ralem has a history with the Green Hoods. Some Green Hoods will even hint that, like his ancestor, Marshal Ralem Christof led the Green Hoods. He is a legend, but a secret legend whose tales and fate are kept within the clandestine organization he once commanded.</DIV>

[Mary the Prophetess]

<P>OOC: /ON</P> <P>Vhalen, I must say that I am in your debt.  </P> <P>I had once made it my goal in EQ live to find out about this individual, and his roving band.  I travelled across every continent and beyond, interviewing every Ranger and Druid I could locate, trying to find information on him, always without success, (except in Surefall and South Qeynos).</P> <P>Like John Galt, in 'Atlas Shrugged', I kept asking, "Who IS Realm Christoff?"</P> <P>To FINALLY learn something more about him is, well, closure.</P> <P>/salute</P> <P>OOC: /OFF</P> <P><EM><FONT size=2>Now, about those Fangbreakers....</FONT></EM></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text></SPAN> </P><p>Message Edited by Mary the Prophetess on <span class=date_text>05-24-2006</span> <span class=time_text>02:08 PM</span>

[Kalem]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Vhalen wrote:<BR> <DIV>Marshal Ralem Christof's ancestor was indeed, another Ralem Christof. The first Ralem Christof lived in the Age of Turmoil. He was the original leader of the Green Hoods. Here is a bit about that:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Antonius Bayle IV was known as the Great Avenger. Antonius Bayle was a grand and noble ruler. Although widely popular, there were some that disliked a number of The Great Avenger's new laws. To the dismay of local poachers and a hide merchants as well, he created a stronger bond between Qeynos and Surefall Glade. This bond created new laws that banned the hunting of many of the creatures in Surefall Glade as well as a small number of endangered species in Qeynos Hills. This strong bond with Surefall Glade had many advantages and one major advantage was the training and forming of a new division of the Qeynos Guard called the Green Hoods, a roving army of rangers and warriors.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So you see; our Marshal Ralem has a history with the Green Hoods. Some Green Hoods will even hint that, like his ancestor, Marshal Ralem Christof led the Green Hoods. He is a legend, but a secret legend whose tales and fate are kept within the clandestine organization he once commanded.</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Vhalen, some day you'll have to release a book, much like the lore book that came out about the time of PoP.  Would love to see EQ's lore in one centeral place!  I know I'd happily pay for something like that.

[DataOutlaw]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Vhalen wrote:<BR> <DIV>Marshal Ralem Christof's ancestor was indeed, another Ralem Christof. The first Ralem Christof lived in the Age of Turmoil. He was the original leader of the Green Hoods. Here is a bit about that:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Antonius Bayle IV was known as the Great Avenger. Antonius Bayle was a grand and noble ruler. Although widely popular, there were some that disliked a number of The Great Avenger's new laws. To the dismay of local poachers and a hide merchants as well, he created a stronger bond between Qeynos and Surefall Glade. This bond created new laws that banned the hunting of many of the creatures in Surefall Glade as well as a small number of endangered species in Qeynos Hills. This strong bond with Surefall Glade had many advantages and one major advantage was the training and forming of a new division of the Qeynos Guard called the Green Hoods, a roving army of rangers and warriors.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So you see; our Marshal Ralem has a history with the Green Hoods. Some Green Hoods will even hint that, like his ancestor, Marshal Ralem Christof led the Green Hoods. He is a legend, but a secret legend whose tales and fate are kept within the clandestine organization he once commanded.</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>This is exciting stuff! I would love to see a fuiture expansion or adventure pack expand upon this allowing players to have more direct interaction with the Green Hoods and Surefall Glade. Whatever happened to Surefall Glade anyway? Is it possible that it was sealed off by the Shattering but yet there remains a secret entrance known only to the most trusted of adventurers???</P> <P><BR> </P>

[Jaradcel]

OOC: I'd buy that book too.And which Green Hood, does anyone know? I'm FP, so I don't speak to them very often. I've done the Zek series of quests thats led me all the way up to Feerot, but after that I'm left off to go to the FP camp. I can't do the KOS quests either (Hello again Dancer!) =

[Tanatz]

Make that three about the book.  I think I've even asked in a post a few months back if there was any sort of novel relating to Norrathian lore, but I was under the assumption that it would never happen for whatever reason.<div></div>