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Mixxit

01-26-2010, 07:39 AM

<a href="http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=17392">http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=17392</a>It was when I first started working at 989 that I delved through the foundation lore and found it quite interesting to discover that a number of the locations and personalities were quite familiar to me. Sprinkled all throughout the world were parts of a few D&D campaigns that we ran during Junior High and up. Notable names like Mayong, Lucan and Opal were there as well as more obscure ones such as Father Estle, Beek Guinders and Zazoo. They, along with numerous others, brought back great memories that could not ever be revisited. But here they were, immortalized in a new world where some would take prominent roles and have a chance to face the challenges of hundreds of thousands of pc gamers. Some of the relationships and events from our pen and paper days would inspire Norrathian events. Included among them was the never revealed link between _a_o_ ___t__o__ and __c__ ___e__.So has anyone figured out what this is yet?

The_Cheeseman

01-26-2010, 10:24 AM

<cite>Mixxit@Nagafen wrote:</cite><blockquote><a href="http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=17392">http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=17392</a>It was when I first started working at 989 that I delved through the foundation lore and found it quite interesting to discover that a number of the locations and personalities were quite familiar to me. Sprinkled all throughout the world were parts of a few D&D campaigns that we ran during Junior High and up. Notable names like Mayong, Lucan and Opal were there as well as more obscure ones such as Father Estle, Beek Guinders and Zazoo. They, along with numerous others, brought back great memories that could not ever be revisited. But here they were, immortalized in a new world where some would take prominent roles and have a chance to face the challenges of hundreds of thousands of pc gamers. Some of the relationships and events from our pen and paper days would inspire Norrathian events. Included among them was the never revealed link between _a_o_ ___t__o__ and __c__ ___e__.So has anyone figured out what this is yet?</blockquote>The blanked-out words seem pretty obviously to be Mayong Mistmoore and Lucan D'Lere, though what connection exists between them has yet to be revealed. The only issue I can see is that there is a blank missing at the end of the word Mayong, but that could easily have been a typo. It's long been known that the EQ devs drew ideas from former pen-and-paper roleplaying campaigns, but I suggest that relying on multi-decade old RPG plots for insight into current game canon is inadvisable. As a long-time RPG worldbuilder myself, I can tell you that those old-timey details that you built campaigns around 10-20 years ago rarely continue to be relevant beyond the occasional inside joke. Writers mature, their tastes change, and what seemed like an awesome plotline when you were 16 often fails to impress at 26. Not to mention that the setting is now controlled by entirely different people, who are under no particular obligation to remain faithful to unreleased lore tidbits from the early nineties.

teddyboy4

01-26-2010, 03:30 PM

<cite>The_Cheeseman wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Mixxit@Nagafen wrote:</cite><blockquote><a href="http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=17392">http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=17392</a>It was when I first started working at 989 that I delved through the foundation lore and found it quite interesting to discover that a number of the locations and personalities were quite familiar to me. Sprinkled all throughout the world were parts of a few D&D campaigns that we ran during Junior High and up. Notable names like Mayong, Lucan and Opal were there as well as more obscure ones such as Father Estle, Beek Guinders and Zazoo. They, along with numerous others, brought back great memories that could not ever be revisited. But here they were, immortalized in a new world where some would take prominent roles and have a chance to face the challenges of hundreds of thousands of pc gamers. Some of the relationships and events from our pen and paper days would inspire Norrathian events. Included among them was the never revealed link between _a_o_ ___t__o__ and __c__ ___e__.So has anyone figured out what this is yet?</blockquote>The blanked-out words seem pretty obviously to be Mayong Mistmoore and Lucan D'Lere, though what connection exists between them has yet to be revealed. The only issue I can see is that there is a blank missing at the end of the word Mayong, but that could easily have been a typo. It's long been known that the EQ devs drew ideas from former pen-and-paper roleplaying campaigns, but I suggest that relying on multi-decade old RPG plots for insight into current game canon is inadvisable. As a long-time RPG worldbuilder myself, I can tell you that those old-timey details that you built campaigns around 10-20 years ago rarely continue to be relevant beyond the occasional inside joke. Writers mature, their tastes change, and what seemed like an awesome plotline when you were 16 often fails to impress at 26. Not to mention that the setting is now controlled by entirely different people, who are under no particular obligation to remain faithful to unreleased lore tidbits from the early nineties.</blockquote>Actually, Vhalen said many times that past, current, and even future events in Norrath are all drawn from, and related to those D&D campaigns that they played back in the day. People, places, and things from those campaigns formed the basis for the entire wealth of EQ-universe lore we study now, and it is all contained in a book kept in a deep vault @ SOE that Vhalen (or, the players) used to call his "lore bible". And I think that insight can indeed be found by looking back.True, Vhalen is no longer the head-lore dude, nor is he even with SOE anymore, but his "lore bible" that he always used for reference is still with SOE and I highly doubt that it is ignored in any way, or ever will be. In fact, in the interview where Vhalen dropped the tid-bit that is the basis of this thread he hinted that the Void storyline, and the Swords of Destiny are based on lore he created more then a decade ago, and a lot of the other connections and deeper lore that we are uncovering now has been around since the begining. And while you're probably right that future plot lines won't be lifted from the "lore bible" wholesale, I have absolutely no doubt that they will have their basis in that foundation Vhalen, and others, built so long ago. It would be ignorant to think insight can't be gained from some of the little tid-bits that Vhalen, and others, used to love to toss us here and there.And let me just say that I think the line Vhalen referenced above about the hidden connection between _a_o_ ___t__o__ and __c__, is going to be VERY relevant to current, and future lore in EQ2. For the record I think that _a_o_ ___t__o__ and __c__ = Mayong Mistmoore and Lucan

Cusashorn

01-26-2010, 06:35 PM

<cite>Eandiil@Lucan DLere wrote:</cite><blockquote>True, Vhalen is no longer the head-lore dude, nor is he even with SOE anymore, but his "lore bible" that he always used for reference is still with SOE and I highly doubt that it is ignored in any way, or ever will be. In fact, in the interview where Vhalen dropped the tid-bit that is the basis of this thread he hinted that the Void storyline, and the Swords of Destiny are based on lore he created more then a decade ago, and a lot of the other connections and deeper lore that we are uncovering now has been around since the begining. And while you're probably right that future plot lines won't be lifted from the "lore bible" wholesale, I have absolutely no doubt that they will have their basis in that foundation Vhalen, and others, built so long ago. It would be ignorant to think insight can't be gained from some of the little tid-bits that Vhalen, and others, used to love to toss us here and there.</blockquote>Although, he did tell me that The Shadow Oddysey was the last expansion that he directly planned out the lore for. Everything that is being introduced in the next expansion will be based off the other designer's ideas, but since they still relate to the void, are probably still following along a general idea that Vhalen laid out. After this next expansion, it's all the other developers from here on out.

Ragnaphore

01-27-2010, 02:13 AM

<cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote><blockquote>Although, he did tell me that The Shadow Oddysey was the last expansion that he directly planned out the lore for. Everything that is being introduced in the next expansion will be based off the other designer's ideas, but since they still relate to the void, are probably still following along a general idea that Vhalen laid out. After this next expansion, it's all the other developers from here on out.</blockquote></blockquote>The key word is "directly", I doubt the new devs did a bonfire with EQ's"Lore bibles" <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> I wonder how much "new" lore vs "fleshed old lore" we get in any expansion ?Back to OP. As other said, it's probably Mayong and Lucan. Whatever the link between the two (I've some ideas but let's not dwell in conspiracy theories <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> ) it could explain the true nature of Lucan (a Lich as most Norathians believe or something else as we were hinted ?) and why he's still alive after all these years.

Mixxit

01-27-2010, 05:00 AM

Yeah i bet mayong saved his life! <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> But from what?

Cusashorn

01-27-2010, 05:03 AM

wait wait, no. I mispoke.Here's what he told me, now that I've double checked the PM.04/10/2008 10:53:52"Before I left I plotted out some of the new weblore you will be reading as well as the lore for the next expansion. There are some great designers that will continue doing fantastic work on EQ2. I hope they take care of Sir Lucan for me."So disregard the "Directly" part that I mentioned. I honestly don't know if he worked anything into Sentinal Fate or not. As far as *I* know, he could have only planned everything out through Anashti Sul, and her story is finished.

Xanrn

01-27-2010, 12:20 PM

_a_o_ ___t__o__ and __c__ ___e__People of that says Mayong Mistmoore and Lucan D'lere someone needs to take spelling lessons.First word.space A space O, space.mAyOn. See no room for the G.So its Mayon Mistmoore and Lucan D'lere.

Rezikai

01-27-2010, 01:41 PM

<cite>Ummudien@Guk wrote:</cite><blockquote>_a_o_ ___t__o__ and __c__ ___e__People of that says Mayong Mistmoore and Lucan D'lere someone needs to take spelling lessons.First word.space A space O, space.mAyOn. See no room for the G.So its Mayon Mistmoore and Lucan D'lere.</blockquote>possibly just a typo,.. he makes them from time to time,.. and rarely does an edit to fix it. Some of the best is when he makes the word the "teh"... hehe.As for the lore of the game as it progresses. Vhalen told us that he put together a universal EQ-Norrathian timeline when working in-between EQ1 and EQ2, he said it was a massive challenge, but the timeline is what i assume the current devs Cronyn, Kaitheel, Kander use to set up their "base" layouts for zone lore and storyline arcs through the games progression. They probably make stuff on top of the existing lore to give it more depth.. but its probably still there, much like the Rime are stuff on top of Kunarks current story. But im betting Vhalen (and others) set up the timeline they created to go well beyond the Age of Destiny... to Norrath's closing.

Mixxit

01-27-2010, 02:39 PM

Err, that's Till Yonder mr!

teddyboy4

01-27-2010, 07:14 PM

Calthine

01-27-2010, 10:22 PM

<cite>Ragnaphore wrote:</cite><blockquote>The key word is "directly", I doubt the new devs did a bonfire with EQ's"Lore bibles" <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /> I wonder how much "new" lore vs "fleshed old lore" we get in any expansion ?</blockquote>I talked to the current Lore Dude, Paul Molina, at Fan Faire last year. He was so jazzed by the lore in Sentinel's Fate he was almost vibrating with excitement! He's truely passionate about EQII Norrathian lore and I don't think he's going to go off inserting mutant alien gnome-eating gnoll invaders from outer space.Probably.

Garnaf

01-28-2010, 06:15 AM

<cite>Calthine wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Ragnaphore wrote:</cite><blockquote>The key word is "directly", I doubt the new devs did a bonfire with EQ's"Lore bibles" <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /> I wonder how much "new" lore vs "fleshed old lore" we get in any expansion ?</blockquote>I talked to the current Lore Dude, Paul Molina, at Fan Faire last year. He was so jazzed by the lore in Sentinel's Fate he was almost vibrating with excitement! He's truely passionate about EQII Norrathian lore and I don't think he's going to go off inserting mutant alien gnome-eating gnoll invaders from outer space.Probably.</blockquote>This disappoints me. Gnomes are only good for 2 things anyway. Punting, and eating. DEATH TO FOOTBALLS err Gnomes!