potentially massive lore revelation brought to you by Sentinals fate box art

[therodge]

<p>for those who havent seen it <a href="http://www.everquest2.com/en/buyNow.vm">http://www.everquest2.com/en/buyNow.vm</a> has the sentinals fate box art i have saved and enlarged the image on my computer and i have to say some interesting things</p><p>as we all know the quenos claymore and soulfire are the left and right hand of theer for along time many have beileved he simply dual weilded the swords but what if the ansers are far more obvious, what if the swords are sentient... looking at the box art, their is a soulfire overlaying ontop of the quenos claymore giving it the look of a large but beautiful claymore with a glowing red stripe down the center, on the right their is a blue gargoyal creature (i dont say dragon becuase its seemingly bipedal) on the left we have a similiar although diffrent red colored gargoyal. now onto the massivly improboble theory</p><p>when the swords are combined it realeses the swords (cant remember their true named but you get the point) these two demon gargoyal things are indeed powerful agents of theer, and as such are bound into or are the swords themselves this has something to do with what happened at in freeport at the upcomming update, my guess, someone went in pwned face and took it, (again) this is why qeynos isnt destroyed, as the queen doesent have the claymore, the agents of marr do. we will find out by expantion realese (possibly day of) that both the quenos claymore and soulfire are no longer in their respective places)</p><p>also my prediction on the next expantion is this, the two deoms will be one of 3 things</p><p>1. they will each be a raid boss of their own zone</p><p>2 they will be the 2nd to last boss in the expantion last one being theer</p><p>3. they will be with theer in the final encounter.</p>

[Rezikai]

<p>Well we do know Soulfire (aeteok) is sentient. It spoke to Zimmel back in EQ1, as per the story given to us from Zimmes descendant who now lives as a vampire (per the SoD quest).</p><p>He stole the sword from "dark knights" and took it to Freeport, and eventualy soulfire started putting dreams and visions into his head, where he told Zimmel "I am Aeteok, the right hand of Theer, and this is the gift to my other." ... so we know they do occaisonally make contact with mortals.</p><p>hmmm actualy... if i remember right the story says Zimmels mind was filled with an image of a circle with strange runes around it and in it.. .... how odd and interesting that the same description would be the 2 Theer prophecy symbols throughout EQ1 and the new one here in EQ2.... hmmm interesting.</p>

[Terrius]

TBH to me atleast it lookes like Soulfire and the qeynos claymore combine into one blade. or atleast that's how i see it on the box art.

[Garnaf]

<p>There are a lot of different possibilities.</p><p>1. Theer simply dual wields the blades (probably not)</p><p>2. The swords can combine into a single powerful blade (possible, but it wouldn't explain why they're not EVER supposed to touch each other.)  Supported by the box art, and the designs of the two weapons (the Qeynos Claymore's replica and the carved one on the Statue of Antonius Bayle I in South Qeynos both show that the fuller in the middle is almost the exact same proportions as Soulfire)</p><p>3. The twin swords act as a sort of "lock and key" to Theer's full power / prison / whatever.  Similar to above, they can combine, but doing so frees Theer.  A bad idea, but it definitely explains the "do not touch to twin" thing regarding the Swords of Destiny.  Having them contain parts of Theer's power would also explain the left and right hands of Theer reference to them, and give a good reason why they developed sentience.</p>

[Triasa]

<p>Hmmm...</p><p>From Zeb's prophecies: "She who represents the forbidden two shall begin the march of fate."</p><p>This one has bugged me for a while, since the only "she" seemingly involved with this plotline has been Anashti...  and saying she represents herself and Theer didn't seem quite right (that would be more like "represents the forbidden one").</p><p>Now it seems to make a little more sense, and fits in with the statues found in her chamber.</p><p>(side note - nice of how she would be literally starting the march of fate... and the next expansion is Sentinel's Fate, lol)</p>

[Xalmat]

<p>It looks more like Soulfire is superimposed on top of the Claymore.</p><p><a href="http://www.sentinelsfate.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.sentinelsfate.com</a></p>

[Cusashorn]

<p>I don't really see the boxart as a "Potentially massive lore revelation". It's just illustrating something we've been expecting in the back of our minds for ages now.</p>

[Paragone]

<p><cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I don't really see the boxart as a "Potentially massive lore revelation". It's just illustrating something we've been expecting in the back of our minds for ages now.</p></blockquote><p>Is this something that SOE will cut any corner they can and now it's the box art? Did a local high school artist in San Diego win a contest to design EQ2's box art?</p>

[eqaddictedfool]

wonder if i should finish my claymore quest before expansion.

[Wilde_Night]

<p>I'm still trying to finish the Peacock Questline... I hope I have time to do Claymore and TSO's too.  Blah.</p>

[The_Cheeseman]

<p>I doubt that the TSO signiture line will really be involved. The story of the Ethernaughts pretty much begins and ends with the void invasion, it has no further relevence to the Age's End storyline, from what I have gathered. Anashti Sul is of course related, but the actual Ethernaughts plotline doesn't delve much into that. Just like how the Peacock line has a lot of interesting relevence to TSO via history, but doesn't really tell us much about Theer or the prophecy itself.</p><p>I would most definitely make sure to finish both the Claymore and Swords of Destiny timelines, though, as they will almost assuredly be relevent. Personally, I am hoping that the signiture questline in SF allows you to upgrade the reward if you possess both Soulfire and the Claymore. The angry gnashing of teeth by hardcore raiders who rolled flavor of the month classes to fill-out their roster now having to go back and complete those extremely long timelines would be music to my ears. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[erimus]

<p><cite>Xalmat wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>It looks more like Soulfire is superimposed on top of the Claymore.</p><p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.sentinelsfate.com" target="_blank">http://www.sentinelsfate.com</a></p></blockquote><p>I dont know...to me it looks more as if the soulfire is actually fitting inside the claymore.  If you look at the outside edge of the soulfire you can see a groove within the claymore that it is resting in.</p>

[Slayan]

<p>This may have something to do with how there going to handle the epic/mythical question. They have alreadt said that they arnt going to be the most powerful weapons in the game but have a role. Maybe they are going the way of the Vanguard Epics were its a soulstone of a powerfull sentient being and it fits into a aug slot , it adds to the weapon but the weapon looks like the epic/mythical.</p>

[Pyra Shineflame]

<p><cite>Triasa@Kithicor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Hmmm...</p><p>From Zeb's prophecies: "She who represents the forbidden two shall begin the march of fate."</p><p>This one has bugged me for a while, since the only "she" seemingly involved with this plotline has been Anashti...  and saying she represents herself and Theer didn't seem quite right (that would be more like "represents the forbidden one").</p><p>Now it seems to make a little more sense, and fits in with the statues found in her chamber.</p><p>(side note - nice of how she would be literally starting the march of fate... and the next expansion is Sentinel's Fate, lol)</p></blockquote><p>I don't know, for some reason I always thought the "she" was Plumetor Dul'Sadma, and the "forbidden two" being Anashti (banned) and Theer (tossed into the Void for being the ultimate rule breaker). And by her taking the initiative to bring Anashti back, "starts the march of fate."</p><p>But then again, this theory works too.</p>

[Meirril]

<p><cite>Zulaika@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Triasa@Kithicor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Hmmm...</p><p>From Zeb's prophecies: "She who represents the forbidden two shall begin the march of fate."</p><p>This one has bugged me for a while, since the only "she" seemingly involved with this plotline has been Anashti...  and saying she represents herself and Theer didn't seem quite right (that would be more like "represents the forbidden one").</p><p>Now it seems to make a little more sense, and fits in with the statues found in her chamber.</p><p>(side note - nice of how she would be literally starting the march of fate... and the next expansion is Sentinel's Fate, lol)</p></blockquote><p>I don't know, for some reason I always thought the "she" was Plumetor Dul'Sadma, and the "forbidden two" being Anashti (banned) and Theer (tossed into the Void for being the ultimate rule breaker). And by her taking the initiative to bring Anashti back, "starts the march of fate."</p><p>But then again, this theory works too.</p></blockquote><p>While that makes more sense, having such an under-utalized character be central in the prophasy is also under-whelming. It would be much more gratifying if the character had been used more, had more lore devoted to her background, had an entire faction that you faced in multiple occasions. You know, had actually been a major mover and shaker. Anashti'Sul fits this, Plumetor Dul'Sadma is a minor footnote in TSO.</p>

[Mirander_1]

<p>To add to the lore revelations; according to some guy at EQ2 Flames, the two demon/gargoyle figures in the box art are actually Rohen Theer himself (he'll have multiple forms, like Anashti does).  I'm guessing the Flames poster is one of those guys that looks through the character files that get patched to the game early.</p><p>I'll leave it to you do decide how accurate this info is, but I'm inclined to believe it.</p>

[Vaedaer]

<p>I must say if those gargs on the box art are really Theer I am going to be a little dissapointed, I expected Theer to be more ... epic, Gargoyles are overused >_></p>

[The_Cheeseman]

<p>I had kind of assumed they were Theer, or at least aspects of Theer, anyway. They're being portrayed in the picture with the combined Swords of Destiny rather implies such. However, knowing what Theer looks like doesn't really tell us much, as there are plenty of fierce-looking entities in the game with wildly varying attitudes and motivations. Nagafen is a scary-looking dragon, but he is actually fairly polite in conversation (considering he'd be well within his rights to eat you alive for slaying his minions and invading his home, and could do so without exerting any significant effort). On the other hand, Mayong Mistmoore is a fairly venerable looking fellow, who also shows the PC respect, though we know what sorts of horrific acts he is capable of perpetrating. Anashti-Sul is also another entity who can seem beautiful and even appear to have virtuous motivations, even though her acts are evil. Theer may be horrific-looking, but who knows what its true goals are.</p>

[Mirander_1]

<p>Here's the thing I find interesting about that being Theer:</p><p>Theer is/was/is the Avatar of the Nameless.  From the way he's been described, he seems to have less in common with the avatars currently in the game, and more with the avatars from the Tome of Destiny stories.  Meaning, that Theer was a mortal that was granted a portion of the Nameless' power, and not just a physical manifestation of the Nameless.</p><p>Assuming that Theer hasn't been completely mutated by the Void, or something like that; that means that there's a previously undiscovered race of gargoyle/demon/things puttering about somewhere in Norrath.  A possible candidate for a future playable race?  Maybe?  (Please?)</p>

[Cusashorn]

<p><cite>Mirander@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Here's the thing I find interesting about that being Theer:</p><p>Theer is/was/is the Avatar of the Nameless.  From the way he's been described, he seems to have less in common with the avatars currently in the game, and more with the avatars from the Tome of Destiny stories.  Meaning, that Theer was a mortal that was granted a portion of the Nameless' power, and not just a physical manifestation of the Nameless.</p><p>Assuming that Theer hasn't been completely mutated by the Void, or something like that; that means that there's a previously undiscovered race of gargoyle/demon/things puttering about somewhere in Norrath.  A possible candidate for a future playable race?  Maybe?  (Please?)</p></blockquote><p>Way back when we first heard that he is the Avatar of the Nameless, and more importantly wielded both the Soulfire and Qeynos Claymore, the first image that came to mind was <a href="http://www.videogamesblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/new-mystery-character-in-soul-calibur-4.jpg" target="_blank">Algol from Soul Calibur 4.</a> He wields both the Soul Calibur (a blue sword) and the Soul Edge (a red sword) at the same time and combines their power. Sound familiar? Well, he was created first...</p>

[ZexisStryfe]

<p>I am the one who posted over at EQ2Flames, and I can guaran-[Removed for Content]-tee that those two "gargoyles" are Rhoen Theer. One is the good version, one is the evil...</p>

[BChizzle]

<p><img src="http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/mallent/theer4.jpg" width="1023" height="701" /></p>

[Xalmat]

<p>One thing you don't see in that picture is that the central groove of the Claymore is <em>not</em> the same shape as the Soulfire. The groove is straight; the Soulfire on the other hand is curved outward.</p><p><a href="http://eq2.wikia.com/wiki/File:Qeynos_Claymore_%28Weapon%29%28equipped%29.jp g" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://eq2.wikia.com/wiki/File:Qeyn...equipped%29.jpg</a></p>

[shadowscale]

<p>the runes in soulfire still fit perfectly in the slot of the claymore.</p><p>and im putting a vote in for the two demons beaing the swords, not theer.</p>

[BChizzle]

<p><cite>Xalmat wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>One thing you don't see in that picture is that the central groove of the Claymore is <em>not</em> the same shape as the Soulfire. The groove is straight; the Soulfire on the other hand is curved outward.</p><p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://eq2.wikia.com/wiki/File:Qeynos_Claymore_%28Weapon%29%28equipped%29.jp g" target="_blank">http://eq2.wikia.com/wiki/File:Qeyn...equipped%29.jpg</a></p></blockquote><p>I just put the two display sword rewards together for everyone.  It is pretty clear that is what they did on the box minus what seems like some alteration with the handle.</p>

[Meirril]

<p><cite>Mirander@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Here's the thing I find interesting about that being Theer:</p><p>Theer is/was/is the Avatar of the Nameless.  From the way he's been described, he seems to have less in common with the avatars currently in the game, and more with the avatars from the Tome of Destiny stories.  Meaning, that Theer was a mortal that was granted a portion of the Nameless' power, and not just a physical manifestation of the Nameless.</p><p>Assuming that Theer hasn't been completely mutated by the Void, or something like that; that means that there's a previously undiscovered race of gargoyle/demon/things puttering about somewhere in Norrath.  A possible candidate for a future playable race?  Maybe?  (Please?)</p></blockquote><p>Depending on how old Theer is he may pre-date mortal races. Also this is the Nameless we're talking about. It would be much, much, much easier for the Nameless to simply create an Avatar that knows what he's suppose to be doing than explain what the Nameless wants to something he's going to make into an Avatar. This is the being that created reality. I don't think it would even occure to him to find a suitable mortal and elevate it. Also exactly who do you find in the mortal realm that personafies the Nameless's intent to keep the balance between dieties via execution of said dieties? Seriously! </p>