Tomes Of The Land

[Ama]

<p>Thought I would strike up a discussion involving lore about different areas of Norrath hoping to get some info.  At the moment I am curious about 2 places within Antonica.  The first one is the Shattered Vale which almost always seems occupied by some force.  What makes this place so special and what happened to the druid ring in there?  That druid ring always seems to be the focus of some magical being/entity trying to commit some heinous act.  Is it some special druid ring that is isolated from the rest or is there something more to it than that? </p><p>My second place is a bit closer to some, but still very secluded.  The Firemyst gulley seems to be a battle charted land with enemies plotting in one lucious green area and corrupted ones sprouting forth in the charred area.  What exactly happened to this place and what makes it so special? </p>

[Sartredes]

It's been some time since I've thought about Firemyst Gully. I thought the lore surrounding this area was related to Lord Grimrot and his "love of his (un)life" that lived in Qeynos as outlined via quests in EQLive. I think some of the lore is given by Ignar at the Qeynos Claymore in Antonica as you work for him to regain Lord Grimrot's Scythe. I don't know if that "access quest" still exists, though.

[Cusashorn]

The Shattered Veil is a new area within the last 500 years. in EQlive, it would be located at the point on the map where you would zone into Surefall Glade in Qeynos Hills, but while druids could teleport to there (Qeynosian druids and rangers started there), there weren't actually any druid rings. The rest of the Veil's physical description lacks the trees, lakes, and caves to prove it's Surefall.

[Nocturnal Aby]

<p>Actually, SFG was due North of Qeynos, so, as I've said before, would be out in the middle of the ocean (unless it's an island up there).  I'm not sure where the druid ring for the Shattered Vale came from, but there was an access quest to get to it that started in Elddar Grove.  For some reason, I think there was a little bit of lore about it, possibly involving some of the Unkempt druids..or wannabes, or something like that.  I'll look into it.</p><p>Firemyst Gulley is also relatively new, and is (imo) one of the coolest instances in the game.  There's more involved than just running around killing mobs, you have to use your head, and a bit of strategy.  Go around, digging up corpses, heh.  There's also two versions, one with dwarves in it, and a later one, where the dwarves have been killed (I think this one is A Foul Wind, attainable by an item drop of the same name).  How it came to be, I'm not sure, but it's a neat little zone.  Wish they made more of the named in these out of the way zones give AA, or the named in the city guild writs.</p>

[Cusashorn]

<p>Antonica practically shifted 90 degrees to the right, so in a sense, Surefall Glade would be located where Shattered Veil is.</p>

[Nocturnal Aby]

<p>The old North Qeynos Gate (in Elddar Grove) is still in the northern part of Qeynos (and faces North), and the Plain of Karna (now the Thundering Steppes, or at least part of the Plains of Karana) is still due east...how did you come up with Antonica shifting 90 degrees?</p>

[Cusashorn]

<cite>Nocturnal Abyss wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>The old North Qeynos Gate (in Elddar Grove) is still in the northern part of Qeynos (and faces North), and the Plain of Karna (now the Thundering Steppes, or at least part of the Plains of Karana) is still due east...how did you come up with Antonica shifting 90 degrees?</p></blockquote>Because Qeynos Hills as a zone was taller than it was wide. Antonica is Wider than it is tall. And even though the lore clearly states they rebuilt it from scratch, Blackburrow is still in it's relative position as it was back then.

[Nocturnal Aby]

<p>I suppose it may just be me, but it had always seemed to me that Antonica of EQ2 was made up of part of the Qeynos Hills area, and part of the Western Plains of Karana.  I don't really have a lot of evidence for this, other than the fact that the area of the Qeynos Hills in EQ2 is so much BIGGER than that in EQ.  I could say things like the Keep of the Fangbreakers would more likely have been located in the Karanas, since that was where you could find them, cleansing the plains of the taint of lycanthropy.  I could even speculate if the village just on the otherside of the pass to West Karana became Windstalker Village, but that would only be speculation, and has no evidence to support it.</p><p>More than a few zones have different dimentions than their EQ counterparts.  Everfrost comes to mind, especially in relation to where Miragul's Menagerie is located. The Misty Thicket in EQ was on the eastern side of Rivervale (along with the Great Wall, and the entrance to Runnyeye). The Druid Ring in the Feerrott was located in the north eastern corner, and the Temple of Cazic-Thule was located along the mid Southern border (Fear Gate was west of it)  In Lavastorm, the entrance to Najena's Lair is on the opposite side of the zone, and Sol Eye, and the entrance to the Temple shared entrances along the same caldera (granted, Lavastorm has always had a very..violent landscape).</p><p>The geography of EQ2 has deffinately been shaken up a bit..so there is a chance you are right..but simply stating that the zone is longer than it was in EQ isn't enough for me, personally, to buy that part of a continent rotated 90 degress, and the part attached to it stayed put...especially when Zek (Jagged pine Forest) is still due North (albeit is some gaps, namely Surefall Glade, being missing).  Of course, these is my own observations, and from what I've seen, I don't think there's enough conclusive evidence either way to prove one way or another</p>

[Cusashorn]

<cite>Nocturnal Abyss wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Of course, these is my own observations, and from what I've seen, I don't think there's enough conclusive evidence either way to prove one way or another</p></blockquote>Agreed.

[Daine]

<cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote>The Shattered Veil is a new area within the last 500 years. in EQlive, it would be located at the point on the map where you would zone into Surefall Glade in Qeynos Hills, but while druids could teleport to there (Qeynosian druids and rangers started there), there weren't actually any druid rings. The rest of the Veil's physical description lacks the trees, lakes, and caves to prove it's Surefall.</blockquote>Trees...there are several of them in the glade itself.  Lakes...not far across the ridge you have the ocean, lake could have been assimilated easily.  Caves...there most certainly are caves there, they're referred to as Blackburrow.I still agree though, even if this was all to Cusashorn's satisfaction it wouldn't be 'proof' that it is Surefall Glade.As a side note, there's the Glade of the Dark Coven (or something similar) near the aqueduct on the TS side of the Antonica map.  There are Dark Coven conjurers and ritualists there and my fiance remembers doing a quest in that region involving the Unkempt Druids.  Could that be a remnant of Surefall Glade that was similarly corrupted?

[Cusashorn]

<cite>Daine@Everfrost wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote>The Shattered Veil is a new area within the last 500 years. in EQlive, it would be located at the point on the map where you would zone into Surefall Glade in Qeynos Hills, but while druids could teleport to there (Qeynosian druids and rangers started there), there weren't actually any druid rings. The rest of the Veil's physical description lacks the trees, lakes, and caves to prove it's Surefall.</blockquote>Trees...there are several of them in the glade itself.  Lakes...not far across the ridge you have the ocean, lake could have been assimilated easily.  Caves...there most certainly are caves there, they're referred to as Blackburrow.I still agree though, even if this was all to Cusashorn's satisfaction it wouldn't be 'proof' that it is Surefall Glade.As a side note, there's the Glade of the Dark Coven (or something similar) near the aqueduct on the TS side of the Antonica map.  There are Dark Coven conjurers and ritualists there and my fiance remembers doing a quest in that region involving the Unkempt Druids.  Could that be a remnant of Surefall Glade that was similarly corrupted?</blockquote>What? No, not Blackburrow. It wasn't even close to Surefall. I'm talking about the Bear Caves where Mammoth used to inhabit.... before he was killed off in a GM event. The trees in Surefall were huge. Larger than Eldder Grove's tree.

[Daine]

Actually you're right...I forgot there was a Blackburrow in EQ1 as well, and was thinking the gnolls could have inhabited the old bear caves (thus the birth of Blackburrow).  Either way, there were lots of changes in elevation such as the Qeynos Catacombs sinking down...maybe the twisty path to the Vale is shaped by the imprint of the old caves.  I don't know but either way I think it's pretty likely (not certain) that the Vale is the remnants of Surefall.  Either that or the forest I talked about.

[teddyboy4]

I have always considered The Shattered Veil to be what remains of Surefall Glade. I didn't come to this conclusion b/c of it's location in Antonica, but rather b/c of it's lore and the geography of the instance itself. The Shattered Veil has some trees, and there is one place, in the back corner I believe, that is mountainous and there could've been some caves there are one time. But it's really the Druid Ring that leads me to believe that it is what remains of Surefall Glade. Yeah, SFG never had a Druid Ring in EQLive and the Druids used to port into the interior of a large tree if I remember, but I also believe that there was lore in EQLive that there was a Druid Ring there at one time. So, who's to say that one wasn't built in those 500 years? Perhaps the Surefall Druids returned there after the Rending and raised the ring in the hopes of bringing Karana's blessing back to the remains of the Glade? Wasn't SFG at one time home to the Unkempt Druids, or that the Unkempt used to attack SFG from time to time b/c they were mad that outsiders were coming into Jaggedpine through SFG? So maybe the Ring we find in The Shattered Veil is one they built after the Rending? Lots of possibilities but until we have definate word I believe The Shattered Veil to be the remains of Surefall Glade.As for Firemyst Gully....I always thought it one of the highlights of the Qeynos leveling experience. It's a really neat little zone that has a unique little puzzle and some fun encounters. The only lore in regards to Firemyst that I know of though is a connection to Lord Grymrot and his scythe. I don't remember the details, and I'm not sure if it's possible to even experience the lore anymore b/c I remember it was all told through the access quest for the zone, and not in the zone itself. And we all know what happened to access quests...

[Ama]

<cite>Eandiil@Lucan DLere wrote:</cite><blockquote>I have always considered The Shattered Veil to be what remains of Surefall Glade. I didn't come to this conclusion b/c of it's location in Antonica, but rather b/c of it's lore and the geography of the instance itself. The Shattered Veil has some trees, and there is one place, in the back corner I believe, that is mountainous and there could've been some caves there are one time. But it's really the Druid Ring that leads me to believe that it is what remains of Surefall Glade. Yeah, SFG never had a Druid Ring in EQLive and the Druids used to port into the interior of a large tree if I remember, but I also believe that there was lore in EQLive that there was a Druid Ring there at one time. So, who's to say that one wasn't built in those 500 years? Perhaps the Surefall Druids returned there after the Rending and raised the ring in the hopes of bringing Karana's blessing back to the remains of the Glade? Wasn't SFG at one time home to the Unkempt Druids, or that the Unkempt used to attack SFG from time to time b/c they were mad that outsiders were coming into Jaggedpine through SFG? So maybe the Ring we find in The Shattered Veil is one they built after the Rending? Lots of possibilities but until we have definate word I believe The Shattered Veil to be the remains of Surefall Glade.As for Firemyst Gully....I always thought it one of the highlights of the Qeynos leveling experience. It's a really neat little zone that has a unique little puzzle and some fun encounters. The only lore in regards to Firemyst that I know of though is a connection to Lord Grymrot and his scythe. I don't remember the details, and I'm not sure if it's possible to even experience the lore anymore b/c I remember it was all told through the access quest for the zone, and not in the zone itself. And we all know what happened to access quests...</blockquote><p>It is interesting if The Shattered Veil turned out to be the remains of SFG.  I'm not a lore guru like others, but I seem to remember hearing about a battle that took place in SFG with Innoruk making a guest appearence.  Perhaps his tampering corrupted that area and it is for that reason we see creatures/beings trying to summon entities using the druid ring.  </p><p>Already we have seen a dark witch in Loping Plains in a Druid Ring.  Firemyst Gulley though is a bit perplexing and makes me wonder what happened there/took place.  </p><p>One thought that does occur to me is since alot and I mean ALOT of stuff got moved around during the shattering perhaps it's the other 1/2 of SFG.  The part in The Shattered Veil is still pristine which cloaks the possible darkness within the druid ring.  Firemyst Gulley is a war torn wasteland charred beyond recognition with a dark temple structure.  </p><p>In EQOA I remember an interesting/beautiful giant tree where druids went for training.  Seeing that ominous structure makes me think that perhaps Innoruks influence in that area corrupted it.  What we see is a dark and twisted throne upon which many evil creatures have claimed.  </p>

[troodon]

<cite>Nocturnal Abyss wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>The old North Qeynos Gate (in Elddar Grove) is still in the northern part of Qeynos (and faces North)</p></blockquote>No, the gate now faces East.  It faced North in EQ1 but no longer does.

[Vhalen]

<p>I hope this helps explain a bit more about the Shattered Vale and Firemyst Gully. </p><p>The Shattered Vale </p><p>The Shattered Vale was once a hidden sanctuary for a forgotten circle of druids. It was within this one isolated vale that they came to assemble, druid masters from all the great forests of Norrath. The Vale is where they held their secret assemblages. The ancient druids have since vanished. Some believe that they gave their lives to become eternal protectors of the druid rings. A few ancient tales refer to them as the Wards of the Stones and they are neither living nor dead. Life for them is in stasis. Their bodies were deconstructed and assimilated with the unique mana that runs from each of the druid rings. There are eight of these druids each a specialist in one of the powers that create nature; Decay, Growth, Health, Ocean, Sky, Storm, Sun and Underfoot. </p><p>Firemyst Gully </p><p>Firemyst Gully has been the location of two massive last stands for two powerful entities that hoped to topple the great city of Qeynos. Signs of these conflicts can still be found within this war ravaged field. </p><p>In the Age of Turmoil, the War of Plagues brought an army of undead into the Qeynos Hills. The vanguard brigade of the undead was led by a legendary revenant known as Lord Grimrot. Lord Grimrot was a member of the Bloodsabers, an ancient cult that paid homage to the god of plagues, Bertoxxulous. It was in Antonica that Lord Grimrot was destroyed in a last stand at Firemyst Gully. The entire thicket was set ablaze by arcane combat. Since then, arcane fires began to breakout. Some flames were extinguished, while others lingered on for weeks. </p><p>During the Age of War, the massive armies of the sinister avatars of war and flame brought the great cities of man under siege. Within the Qeynos Hills a titanic conflict raged between the unified army of Qeynos and the vast horde led by the Avatar of Flame. Like Lord Grimrot before him, the avatar fought his last stand at Firemyst Gully. It is believed by some historians that the arcane fires of the gully provided that avatar with additional strength.</p>

[Nocturnal Aby]

Awesome!  Thanks for the input, Vhalen!  Good to hear from you again <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Mary the Prophetess]

<p><span style="color: #ffff00;">"There are eight of these druids each a specialist in one of the powers that create nature; Decay, Growth, Health, Ocean, Sky, Storm, Sun and Underfoot."</span></p><p>Bertoxxulous (Decay), </p><p>Tunare (Growth), </p><p>Rodcet Nife (Health), </p><p>Prexus (Ocean), </p><p>Veeshan (Sky), </p><p>Karana (Storm), </p><p>Solusek Ro (Sun), </p><p>Brell Serillis (Underfoot)</p><p><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">edited to include Troodons information.</span></i></p><p><i></i></p>

[troodon]

<cite>Mary the Prophetess wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>?? (Health), [*possibly* Erollisi Marr?--even though the Goddess of Love, is closely associated with Clerics]</p></blockquote>Rodcet Nife

[Ama]

<cite>Vhalen wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>I hope this helps explain a bit more about the Shattered Vale and Firemyst Gully. </p><p>The Shattered Vale </p><p>The Shattered Vale was once a hidden sanctuary for a forgotten circle of druids. It was within this one isolated vale that they came to assemble, druid masters from all the great forests of Norrath. The Vale is where they held their secret assemblages. The ancient druids have since vanished. Some believe that they gave their lives to become eternal protectors of the druid rings. A few ancient tales refer to them as the Wards of the Stones and they are neither living nor dead. Life for them is in stasis. Their bodies were deconstructed and assimilated with the unique mana that runs from each of the druid rings. There are eight of these druids each a specialist in one of the powers that create nature; Decay, Growth, Health, Ocean, Sky, Storm, Sun and Underfoot. </p><p>Firemyst Gully </p><p>Firemyst Gully has been the location of two massive last stands for two powerful entities that hoped to topple the great city of Qeynos. Signs of these conflicts can still be found within this war ravaged field. </p><p>In the Age of Turmoil, the War of Plagues brought an army of undead into the Qeynos Hills. The vanguard brigade of the undead was led by a legendary revenant known as Lord Grimrot. Lord Grimrot was a member of the Bloodsabers, an ancient cult that paid homage to the god of plagues, Bertoxxulous. It was in Antonica that Lord Grimrot was destroyed in a last stand at Firemyst Gully. The entire thicket was set ablaze by arcane combat. Since then, arcane fires began to breakout. Some flames were extinguished, while others lingered on for weeks. </p><p>During the Age of War, the massive armies of the sinister avatars of war and flame brought the great cities of man under siege. Within the Qeynos Hills a titanic conflict raged between the unified army of Qeynos and the vast horde led by the Avatar of Flame. Like Lord Grimrot before him, the avatar fought his last stand at Firemyst Gully. It is believed by some historians that the arcane fires of the gully provided that avatar with additional strength.</p></blockquote><p>Wow that's alot of interesting information.  Squashes my theory about the 2 places being reminents of SFG, but the 8 druids sounds rather interestings.  I do not doubt that druids would conveign there since it is a very secluded area away from interlopers.  </p><p>However that does pose a question for me in that there are druids that specialize in different areas.  I could understand growth and health, but decay? Then again you need all of those aspects for something to grow. <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p>