SK Role in Norrath Info

[EverAfterIt]

Hey fellow SK's!I'm a new SK (level 15 as of this post) and I'm fast beginning to love the class. What I am wondering though, is some more in depth information on the class itself. Such as:1.  What is involved in the training of the SK? From what I can gather, they are martial experts with a good dose of training in the dark arts (necromancy, if I am correct?).2.  What role do SK's serve, specifically in Freeport? I believe that Neriak-based SK's are crusaders for Inny, and while mostly everything is done in Inny's name in Neriak (although I am just becoming aware of a growing rift between the Queen and the Temple), I am an SK in freeport and the role of them there is less clear to me. Are they shock troops for the Militia? Are they an order of Knights? Do they recieve more or less respect from aspects of the Overlord's regime? What is the citizen's perception of the SK? 3.  In what capacity do they serve the Overlord?I'll start with these questions, as I'm sure I'll have more. They aren't vital questions, just something to generate a discussion and to help me develop a toon's character a little.Yours in Hate, Donnigan      Human Shadowknight of Freeport (LDL Server)

[MaCloud1032]

<p>The Shadowknight is the embodyment of that witch is evil.  We take all that is pure and good and defile, corrupt, and manipulate to our will.  We are the evil that Qeynos fears and respects above all others.</p><p>In terms of service to the Overlord we are his personal gaurd and his army.  we are the law of Frepork.</p><p>You are right in that we are Knights.  we are just and fain in judgment.  but still very much evil.(if that makes sence)</p><p>At least thats my view on the class.  if you have seen the chronicals of riddik i see us like the necromongers.  where pallys are the knights in the middle ages.</p>

[Nocifer Deathblade]

<cite>EverAfterIt wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Hey fellow SK's!I'm a new SK (level 15 as of this post) and I'm fast beginning to love the class. What I am wondering though, is some more in depth information on the class itself. Such as:1.  What is involved in the training of the SK? From what I can gather, they are martial experts with a good dose of training in the dark arts (necromancy, if I am correct?).</p><p><span style="color: #ff0000;">No, we are not martial experts. We are evil knights who dabbles in necromancy arts at the begining (500 yrs ago in EQ1) but evolved out of necromancy and started to specialize in new field which is shadowknight's field.  We were 75% warrior+25% necro in early EQ1 period. We are now just opposite side of paladin who prays to their own diety. We pray to our evil god to support our power just like paladins do to good diety to support their power. We used to have wis as power pool during early EQ2 period cuz of anti-paladin mold but was changed to INT based to make it more sense cuz of offense use of our spells so that makes sense of using INT as power base as well as EQ1 SK using INT from day one due to the nature of early necromancer arts.</span></p><p>2.  What role do SK's serve, specifically in Freeport? I believe that Neriak-based SK's are crusaders for Inny, and while mostly everything is done in Inny's name in Neriak (although I am just becoming aware of a growing rift between the Queen and the Temple), I am an SK in freeport and the role of them there is less clear to me. Are they shock troops for the Militia? Are they an order of Knights? Do they recieve more or less respect from aspects of the Overlord's regime? What is the citizen's perception of the SK? </p><p><span style="color: #ff0000;">We are soldiers but we do have only one known diety INNORUUK as evidenced in Dismal of Rage. They held to that faith since the absence of dieties including Innoruuk. There were lot of dark elves there in that temple. Even SK npc there. Later on, SK trainer moved to Militia to be more of solder's role that we were supposed to be in. You can see many SK militia with SK helms riding on mounts around FP as police.. It used to be just warriors now has warriors and SKs to do the job..</span></p><p>3.  In what capacity do they serve the Overlord?</p><p><span style="color: #ff3300;">They must serve Overlord to the absolute or they will be banished from FP. Of course, there are some SKs in FP planning to overthrow Overlord and takes the throne simply cuz it's the nature of EVIL.. We don't serve Overlord cuz we admire him. We serve him out of fear and oppression.</span>I'll start with these questions, as I'm sure I'll have more. They aren't vital questions, just something to generate a discussion and to help me develop a toon's character a little.Yours in Hate, Donnigan      Human Shadowknight of Freeport (LDL Server)</p></blockquote>

[hellskitten]

<p>Bah, everything spouted so far is based on rumor and hearsay! Maleovent... yes; evil.... no. We are labled evil only because our path to Glory is based on the achievement of power not some silly notion of protecting and serving the weak and helpless. They are helpless for gods sake.. that makes them unworthy of our protection! Leave that silly notion to the fools of Marr. The Overlord say the truth and break from Marr; he knew the prosperity of Freeport hinged on law and obedeince. That leads to our station in Freeport. We are the Lucanic Knights. We serve the Overlord... we serve Freeport... we ensure respect.. and instill fear into the pathetic masses.</p><p>We are not so called anti-palidans. Palidans look to the gods for power and guidance. A Shadowknight understands power comes from within not from the words of some puppet church. We are guided by our own drive for glory. While a palidan may need the so called wisdom of the gods to use as a crutch; we educate ourselves, we bend years of knowledge to our will. Yes we study and use necromancy, yes we spread disease among the weak. How does that lend towards evil I ask? Is not death just as much a part of Noorath as life? You can not have one without the other. Thats the failing of those such as the palidans of Marr. They only want to recognize half of the equation. We understand and utilize both sides of nature. Thats what imbudes us with real strength. Yes some Shadowkinghts may whisper to a chosen god. But unlike a palidan that is a personal consideration, it is not where we draw our power from.</p><p>As to the rumors of some wishing to overthrow the Overlord... that is not something I wish to lower myself into speaking of. We are faithful followers of the law. We will follow and serve Lucan D'Lere until the day he ceases to be worthy of leadership.</p>

[melaine_dvarvensplitter]

Bah, Foolishness I say.... I serve no one but myself. Everyone I encounter is a pawn in my rise to power. For one day Lucan's head will rest on my wall next to everyone that has crossed my path. Evil... that's a perception that many view us as. We do what we want and if it offends then perhaps your stomach is weak as a tree hugging elf.

[Shirodan]

<p>A true Shadowknight serves only his own desire for power. The Overlord, the Queen of Neriak, as well as Innoruuk are only a means to gain that power. My shadowknight has been a devout follower of Innoruuk since before he made his reapearance in EQ2, but only because he feels that Inny is the most powerful of the dieties, and therefore the most beneficial for him to follow.</p><p>As far as combat expertise, you could say we're 60% warlock, 40% 'fighter'. Our spells are much more prevelant than they were 500 years ago (EQ1), but our melee prowess is what sets us apart from those squishies.</p><p>When its all said and done, SKs are one of the coolest classes in the game.</p>

[MaCloud1032]

<cite>melaine_dvarvensplitter wrote:</cite><blockquote>Bah, Foolishness I say.... I serve no one but myself. Everyone I encounter is a pawn in my rise to power. For one day Lucan's head will rest on my wall next to everyone that has crossed my path.Evil... that's a perception that many view us as. We do what we want and if it offends then perhaps your stomach is weak as a tree hugging elf. </blockquote><p>To cross Lucan is to deal with the devil him self...  You may try for hes head but he will take your soul...  And i will be there on that day to laugh at the foolishness that you have brought upon yourself...</p>

[hellskitten]

<cite>melaine_dvarvensplitter wrote:</cite><blockquote>if it offends then perhaps your stomach is weak as a tree hugging elf. </blockquote>You have a problem with woodelves? This woodelf could use a new soul to power her next skelly pet...

[EverAfterIt]

Ok. From what I gather here so far, SK's are not opposite-mirror images of Pally's (thankfully). We are the guard/elite internal keepers of Freeport (or Neriak if preferred). We don't give a hoot what the rabble of the street's think of us, as long as they do our bidding when commanded and show perfect respect when in our presence. We live for power, and serve only to further gain power. So, I've an image in my head here. I should come off as somewhat arrogant. I shall believe that all that I see is mere tools and means to an end in gaining power, power which is used to further my own ambitions and serve the Overlord and Freeport, as long as it doesn't interfere too much in my own schemes and machinations.I know that I draw my power from the use of death and disease, power that....what comes from within? Is it bestowed by Inny? I can also trust in the power of my arm to deal with the fools that are in my way.Other questions that I have. There was mention of Lucanic Knights. An order of Knights serving Lucan, I gather? What sort of structure does this have. How do we rate amongst Lucan's forces, aside from the aforementioned guard and internal police force -- do we perform the role of an officer corps within the Militia, or are we above and separate from them? What is our relationship to the Dismal Rage? The Academy? How do we react/feel about the Seafarer Buccaneers? How do we act towards each other for that matter? Are all SK's a brotherhood kind of thing, or do we all distrust each other and try to screw the other guy? Ultimately, what does a SK dedicate himself to, besides his unswerving loyalty to the gain of his own power...would we work to building Freeport up into a glorious empire with us as it's aristocracy? These are heavy questions, I know, but I'd just like to get a more detailed glimpse of what makes all SK's click.  Donnigan SK of Freeport (LDL)

[Shirodan]

No shadowknight in their right mind would trust another shadowknight, with the "possible" exception of immediate family or close guildmates. Outside of that though, trust an SK and you're liable to end up in a ditch somewhere.

[hellskitten]

<p>Ill have to do some sniffing around Freeport but at this point I dont remember much info given concerning structure of the Lucanic Knights. Other then fact that its a group of Shadowknights that follow the Overlord, biggest other reference Ive seen is during begining of SOD quest... "The Lucanic Knights destroyed the village of the Ursa Rhym." That does show our influenece doesnt end at the gate of Freeport. Considering how important the sword is to Lucan, being given that mission it easy to infer we are the Overlords right hand.</p><p>Although anyone is free to see thier character as they like... I believe the devs had a certain image in mind. Theres no reason to believe they intended the Lucani Knights to be a group of backstabbing thugs. Quite to the contrary. We are a elite military unit, with structure and a sense of honor. Law and order would be just as.. if not more important to us as it is to Qeynos Palidans. We just take a more strong hand approach, because disobediance is not tolerated. Think of it this way....</p><p>A thief is caught in Qeynos.. the judges would "understand" the thief is not soley responsible for his way of life after he related the story how his parents made him clean out the stables with same bowl he would eat his poridge in latter. Probation and community service picking up trash along the Qeynosian Highway would be in order.</p><p>In contrast.. in Freeport his hand would be cut off and possibly his tongue ripped out for wasting the judges time speaking of such dribble.</p>

[Samora]

Very interesting, as I am a new SK myself.I got one extra question though aswell as those not yet answered..I am a Sarnak SK. I read that SK is one of the Sarnak's natural classes. Do we have someone we hold in high regard, I mean like Freeport ones hailes to The Overlord and Neriak ones are all about Innoruuk, is there a person of interest that the Sarnak Sk should "look up to"?Dont tell me its a Iksar dude. Being a relatively new race greated my the Iksar's of Kunark i find this question hard to answer. If it wasnt for our instense hatred towards the Iksar who basicly enslaved us and used us as warriors, it would be natural to assume that one of them, maybe<span> Venril Sathir was such a person. What do you think? </span>

[EverAfterIt]

Ok good. I couldn't see a Knight, Shadow or Otherwise, who didn't have some sense of Law and Order. I will take it as, in our particular sense, SK's uphold the Laws of Freeport as decreed by Lucan and when the laws of "might makes right" doesn't interfere with the will of Lucan, we shall uphold that as our own personal code.As an SK, I shall also bring Lucan's will to Outlands and shall bring Order from chaos, particularly by force. I shall also present myself as the Mailed and Malevolent Fist of Lucan.As well, I shall greet fellow SK's by keeping one hand upon the hilt of my blade and by grasping their forearm, as the Roman's did in our parallel history, so that I may shake and thereby expose the dagger hidden that seeks to pierce my heart.I get that SK's would eye one another with suspicion, as one would climb the ranks by stepping over the body of one's competition. But, I should also think that OPENLY doing so would show disgrace, as one would lack the wit and wiles to dispose of the competition quietly and without apparent cause of the removal. I mean, if all SK's fought on sight, or openly tried to eliminate one another in order to be the top SK, our ranks would be in chaos and our numbers few indeed!Donnigan  (Developing) Shadowknight in Service to Lucan (LDL)(Thanks everyone....this is good stuff)

[Dragon]

I think a good way to describe shadowknights is to reference Sith Lords.  They follow deities and "the force" only because it is the only way they will have enough power.  They use any means necessary to gain strength, power, and status... even if it means killing their masters and taking over the throne.  They are neither good nor evil in their minds, they do what they must... even if other people see them as evil or unnatural.   They rule with complete control and terror over their subjects, and show no mercy to disobedience, failure, or law-braking.  The only thing they fear is losing their power... they do not fear death directly, nor any person or deity.I think another good way to reference the SK is Count Dracula (before he was turned into a vampire by Bram Stoker).  The Church viewed him as the son of the Devil even though he did all in the name of the church and his order of Knights ("Order of the Dracul" ), the people feared him, his enemies feared him.  He drove stakes through the bodies of thieves, murderers, and un-loyal and back-stabbing noblemen.  He did much worse to the Ottoman Turks that threatened his lands, and while being outnumbered many times during battle, his "barbaric" and brutal ways always won in the end.  He lost power and his life because he was betrayed by one of his own... but such is the life of the "Sith."Anyway, that's how I view them.

[Zannah]

<p>To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.</p><p>I have 'served' many gods, gaining what I wanted from them and then casting them aside.  Do not believe that they would treat you any differently.</p><p>We cleave flesh, drain vitality.  We speak blasphemy, preach sacrilege, and give death.</p><p>With Bloodletter - its no longer the vitality of our enemies that fuel us - we can now drain the life out of our allies.  Glorious !!</p>

[Zannah]

<cite>Samora@Splitpaw wrote:</cite><blockquote>Very interesting, as I am a new SK myself.I got one extra question though aswell as those not yet answered..I am a Sarnak SK. I read that SK is one of the Sarnak's natural classes. Do we have someone we hold in high regard, I mean like Freeport ones hailes to The Overlord and Neriak ones are all about Innoruuk, is there a person of interest that the Sarnak Sk should "look up to"?Dont tell me its a Iksar dude. Being a relatively new race greated my the Iksar's of Kunark i find this question hard to answer. If it wasnt for our instense hatred towards the Iksar who basicly enslaved us and used us as warriors, it would be natural to assume that one of them, maybe<span> Venril Sathir was such a person. What do you think?</span></blockquote><p>Sarnak are a created race - much like the Arasai.  They hate their creator tho, since their primary purpose was being slaves.  Its been a long time since the Sarnaks were under the rule of Venril and the Iksar - when Norrath rediscovered Kunark the first time, the Sarnaks had long broken free of their shackles and established an empire based in Chardok - with a King, Queen and Prince.  (Arasai love their creator, and since she believes herself to be above Innoruuk - we believe it too.  I can't worship her in the 'real' sence, so she gets kisses and I go pray to whoever my personal deity-of-the-month is <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/908627bbe5e9f6a080977db8c365caff.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />&nbsp<img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Sarnaks are neutral-evil I suppose, and in their current iteration they would be very very independent (they are a new race of Sarnak - evolved a bit differently from the Di'Zoks of 500 years ago).  My personal feelings as an SK is that whomever grants me the most power is worthy of my patronage.</p><p>Right now its Zek for me, but I'll probably go and redo Bertoxx since alot of his miracles enhance disease based spells and damage - which is our forte.</p>

[MaCloud1032]

<p>The lucanic knights are the force of freeport.  Freeports milita if you will.  On pvp servers you gain faction with them as you kill people of opposing faction.  IE the Royal antonican gaurdFor a Shadowknight to put his faith in anything other than The Overlord, him/her self, or there god is foolish.Even to put ones faith in Lucan is a bit of a contradiction.  Lucan is nothing more than a fallen Palliden.  A betrayer of his faith and code.  The main rason a Shadowknight follows Lucan is he is the only being other than a God that is more powerfull than us.The Gods most likly for us to follow are Inny, Bertox, and ZekZek like us seeks power but he seeks it thru concuring.Inny to corupt the world and fill it with hateBertox to spread diesease and sickness thru out the world</p><p>Our power is not bistowed upon us by some being nor is it read from a book.  It is more of a concotion of both from natural abilities and what we pick up from the arcaneThe leading factions in freeport are something to used in our rise to power.  We are not there arend boy.  That is not to say that if you have somethign that we desire a work around is not viable.</p>

[Darlina]

<p>Hmmm... Lucanic Knights....</p><p>Is there ANY given Possibility that i can get the Title of "Lucanic Knight" for my SK somehow??? I dedicated my Life to Lucan, the Militia and Freeport and want to join this elite Faction <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </p><p>As for the Role of SK</p><p>As it was said before, we are the Law and Army of Freeport. We serve the Overlord and do as he pleases, and nothing else! I follow Lucan to the Death because he did exactly the same as i did, turn away from the weak City of Qeynos <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Diety? My Diety is and ever will be Lucan D'Lere  <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/ed515dbff23a0ee3241dcc0a601c9ed6.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p><p>All hail Lucan D'Lere, Savior of Freeport and supreme Ruler of Norrath</p>

[Nulgara]

<cite>Zannah wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Samora@Splitpaw wrote:</cite><blockquote>Very interesting, as I am a new SK myself.I got one extra question though aswell as those not yet answered..I am a Sarnak SK. I read that SK is one of the Sarnak's natural classes. Do we have someone we hold in high regard, I mean like Freeport ones hailes to The Overlord and Neriak ones are all about Innoruuk, is there a person of interest that the Sarnak Sk should "look up to"?Dont tell me its a Iksar dude. Being a relatively new race greated my the Iksar's of Kunark i find this question hard to answer. If it wasnt for our instense hatred towards the Iksar who basicly enslaved us and used us as warriors, it would be natural to assume that one of them, maybe<span> Venril Sathir was such a person. What do you think?</span></blockquote><p>Sarnak are a created race - much like the Arasai.  They hate their creator tho, since their primary purpose was being slaves.  Its been a long time since the Sarnaks were under the rule of Venril and the Iksar - when Norrath rediscovered Kunark the first time, the Sarnaks had long broken free of their shackles and established an empire based in Chardok - with a King, Queen and Prince.  (Arasai love their creator, and since she believes herself to be above Innoruuk - we believe it too.  I can't worship her in the 'real' sence, so she gets kisses and I go pray to whoever my personal deity-of-the-month is <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/908627bbe5e9f6a080977db8c365caff.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /> <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" /></p><p>Sarnaks are neutral-evil I suppose, and in their current iteration they would be very very independent (they are a new race of Sarnak - evolved a bit differently from the Di'Zoks of 500 years ago).  My personal feelings as an SK is that whomever grants me the most power is worthy of my patronage.</p><p>Right now its Zek for me, but I'll probably go and redo Bertoxx since alot of his miracles enhance disease based spells and damage - which is our forte.</p></blockquote>I don't wanna ruin the lore of the Gorowinian Sarnak and I wont. but a Sarnak SK really doesnt pay homage to any god in particular they dont have a patron so to speak. But there is a book collection quest in RoK that has a detailed history of the Gorowyn Sarnak, is a very cool read oh and after you read it you should definately flaunt it around to all the Iksar that think they are superior. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  as a Sarnak SK myself I make it a point to highlight some specific entries in that book almost daily to keep them in their place..

[MaCloud1032]

<cite>Darlina@Innovation wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Hmmm... Lucanic Knights....</p><p>Is there ANY given Possibility that i can get the Title of "Lucanic Knight" for my SK somehow??? I dedicated my Life to Lucan, the Militia and Freeport and want to join this elite Faction <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" width="15" height="15" /> </p><p>As for the Role of SK</p><p>As it was said before, we are the Law and Army of Freeport. We serve the Overlord and do as he pleases, and nothing else! I follow Lucan to the Death because he did exactly the same as i did, turn away from the weak City of Qeynos <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" width="15" height="15" /> Diety? My Diety is and ever will be Lucan D'Lere  <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/ed515dbff23a0ee3241dcc0a601c9ed6.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p><p>All hail Lucan D'Lere, Savior of Freeport and supreme Ruler of Norrath</p></blockquote>No you cant become a lucanic knight no matter how much faction i have with them.