The Statue of Erollisi Marr and the City of New Halas. [Archive]

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Cusashorn

05-10-2010, 01:56 AM

When you wake up on the island of Erollis, you are told that you just survived an attack at sea by the Ry'Gorr orcs. A dwarf is standing by you, telling you she tended to your wounds. You were unconcious for days and miraculously washed ashore in the Frostfang Sea. You're lucky you didn't freeze to death.Your character starts at level 1, and spends the first few moments getting adjusted to the area, and are already helping the locals with their problems. You start off with removing some local fungus creatures that are getting into the food supplies and work you way up from there.Here's the catch though: Your character has full knowledge of everything that has happened in recent Norrath history. You know about the Rallosian War, you know about when Luclin blew up, and when the debris stopped raining down. You know about what the history books told about Velious 500 years ago. You knew what you were doing before your ship was attacked (though that's strictly for you to decide from a roleplay point of view. You're never told exactly why you were on the ship to begin with.)CONGRATULATIONS! WHATEVER YOU DID BEFORE YOU WERE ATTACKED IS GONE FOR GOOD! YOU'RE A CITIZEN OF NEW HALAS NOW!One of the first things you learn about the Island of Erollis (yes, Erollis) is that about 10 years ago (5 years after Luclin stopped raining down from what we as lore enthusiasts have been told) a giant piece of Luclin fell from the sky and struck Velious. You point out to the dwarf that 10 years ago doesn't make any sense, it's too late in the timeline when Luclin blew up. The dwarf tells you to be quite because he knows what he's saying. The heat instantly melted the snow into scalding hot steam, and the impact broke off a sizable chunk of Velious and some surrounding iceflows with it. A Coldain hunting party was about to take out some Ry'Gorr orcs just as it happened. At that point, both the Ry'Gorr and the Coldain gathered what remained of both of their sides to ensure their survival. The Coldain inhabited the largest chunk of the land, while the Ry'Gorr took to the surrounding islands. They've been waging war with the Coldain for the last 10 years, trying to gain a foothold on the main island. Fortunately, the spirits of dead Coldain are able to willingly come back to Norrath to continue fighting the Orcs. Instead of passing on into Brell's Beerhall in the afterlife, a Coldain spirit has the ability to willingly return to Norrath to continue fighting. If not for them, the orcs probably would have won. They even have their own form of necromancy, which doesn't make any sense, since no Coldain has ever heard of them using Necromancy. Shamanism is the closest they ever came.When Mithanial Marr chose to bless the island of Erollis, Barbarians, Dwarves, and Frogloks from all over started making their way to the island on a pilgrimage. Part of the questline involves making the path safe for the pilgrims to lead them to New Halas, even though there's a back entrance they could take that's right around the corner... (seriously, what the hell?)Despite getting able bodies to help them, the fight with the orcs has always been the Coldain's alone to deal with.After fighting off the orcs, you eventually find out they're digging tunnels deep underwater beneath New Halas, and that they ended up causing a cave in. You can see parts of crushed orcs sticking out of the cave in when you approach it. One Coldain orders you to find an explosive to remove the cave in. When you do, you find Velinoids on the other side. Velium Elementals directly related to the Geonids on Velious.After some further investigation, you find out that the orcs ended up waking up all these Velinoids who have slumbered underneath the island for years. Centuries, even.For those of you wondering how Erollis has managed to travel all the way from Velious on the South Pole, through warm waters and to the northern seas, a powerful Velinoid named Evigis the Ancient is the reason. While he slumbered, he exuded a powerful magic aura that kept the entire island and the ice around it cold enough that it wouldn't melt in warm temperatures. If you were to kill it, you could doom the existance of the island and the city, so you help out the local mages to find a way to put him back to sleep.That's the lore of the Island. The citizens in New Halas seem to enjoy living in the cold. The frogloks admit that they would prefer a warm swamp, but they're just as much Humanoid as they are Amphibian, so they can tough it out. For the Barbarians, New Halas is as close a recreation of Old Halas as it's going to get. They're not gonna give it up for ANYTHING. The Coldain have been there since the beginning, so they will keep protecting the island until it makes its way back to Velious, if it ever does. I didn't catch any particular reason why there are regular dwarves there though..In the middle of the city is a temple dedicated to Erollis. One of the Swornlove siblings tells you about the statue that Varig Ro, the Forge God, crafted in her honor and at Mithanial's Request. He then placed it there for everyone to admire and pray to.<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a291/Cusashorn/EQ2_000001-1.jpg" width="599" height="479" />Now, this is my own opinion here, but I would think that a Goddess of Love would probably look a bit more... sexy. Yeah I'm gonna say it. I think her statue should be wearing female formal clothing to show off a little skin, or better yet, a Faydwer era Monk Gi. It's still one of the sexiest appearances I've seen in this game. Why do you think I have a 32 slot bag filled with them and a bunch more in the bank? I can understand that physical attraction does not necissarily have to be an important aspect of Love, and it shouldn't, but it wouldn't have been a bad thing if she wasn't decked out in plate armor. Kudos to the art team for designing this thing. Now bring her back!The Sisterhood of Erollisi, the Swornlove siblings, and anyone else who prays to her no longer seem to be mourning her loss. If anything they find peace in this temple in her dedication. I don't think the story ends here though. I'm not gonna give up unti we find a way to punish Innoruuk for doing this to her and bringing her back to life.Those of you wondering why she's a Human and not a Barbarian like her twin brother Mithanial... Just don't question it. You won't find an answer unless a developer responds.

shadowscale

05-10-2010, 03:17 AM

some random commenting.dont see the problem with the apperence of Erollisi Marr, she is a ranger after all. besideds being the goddes of love she is also the goddes of the hunt. also Necromancy and Shamanism can be rather simular when you really think about it. both deal with the dead and spirits. just necromancy tends to take a more... direct approch to it. even then it dosent have to be used for evil.

Larkverdin

05-10-2010, 04:14 AM

I really fail to see the problem here....are you ranting or what?-If the spirits choose to willingly come back, that's not necromancy, it's a choice by the dead dwarves, not someone calling them back forceably.-I don't see the problem with knowing all of Norrath's history before you end up in New Halas, just because your character's story starts with a boat wreck, you had to board the boat from some other harbor didn't you? Based in known Norrath, where they have history & books? If you're trying to make the argument that all lvl 1 characters are at the beginning our their lives, how do you explain that we all start as lvl 1 appearing as grown adults?-If you think in terms of large objects falling from space, usually what will happen is a larger chunk (the piece that hit Velious) will break up as it enters the atmosphere of a planet, thus resulting in smaller pieces (the "smaller" pieces being the ones that have been pelting the planet for the last some odd years) then the larger piece, if it survives entry will land. This make sense to me, is my logic failing somewhere so you didn't see this as a possible explination?-The "regular" dwarves sound like previous pilgrims to me....-Last but not least, and I could be wrong here, but arn't Erollisi & Mith Marr the creators of both the barbarian and human races? It would make sense in my mind for one of them to create the barbarians, then the other to go "Well let's make one in my image as wel"

shadowscale

05-10-2010, 04:16 AM

<cite>Balinor@Unrest wrote:</cite><blockquote>-If the spirits choose to willingly come back, that's not necromancy, it's a choice by the dead dwarves, not someone calling them back forceably.</blockquote>who says necromancy has to use force? few quests in paineel are a good example it all depends on how its used.and who says the undead orcs are being forced to keep fighting, would think if they had a chance to come back willingly they would do the same and the necromancers are simply giveing them that chance.and look at defilers, they use force useing shamanism rather then necromancy.

Larkverdin

05-10-2010, 04:31 AM

Necromancy - The ancient method of communication with the dead. The art of raising the dead and controlling their spirits takes it's name from Greek words meaning "dead" and "divination".Granted, this is "real" necromancy, in a fantasy game the rules can be twisted a bit to make a class. But we're talking about the Coldain spirits Shadowscale, not the orc ones. Cusa has said that the Coldain spirits have the ability to willingly come back to continue battle, they arn't summoned, there is no ritual to invoke them, none of the "typical" necromancer-like ways of bringing back the dead

KniteShayd

05-10-2010, 09:04 AM

I think you're confusing Erollisi with what Tholuxe Paells would look like as a woman...

Cusashorn

05-10-2010, 01:05 PM

<cite>Euri@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite><blockquote>I think you're confusing Erollisi with what Tholuxe Paells would look like as a woman...</blockquote>I would be, but I know that Tholuxe is male.<cite>shadowscale wrote:</cite><blockquote>dont see the problem with the apperence of Erollisi Marr, she is a ranger after all. besideds being the goddes of love she is also the goddes of the hunt.</blockquote>All the more reason why she should be wearing chain armor, not plate.<cite>Balinor@Unrest wrote:</cite><blockquote>I really fail to see the problem here....are you ranting or what?-If the spirits choose to willingly come back, that's not necromancy, it's a choice by the dead dwarves, not someone calling them back forceably.I never said the Coldain are using necromancy. The Orcs are, and the undead they summon are being forced to fight. It'll make more sense when you see for yourself.-I don't see the problem with knowing all of Norrath's history before you end up in New Halas, just because your character's story starts with a boat wreck, you had to board the boat from some other harbor didn't you? Based in known Norrath, where they have history & books? If you're trying to make the argument that all lvl 1 characters are at the beginning our their lives, how do you explain that we all start as lvl 1 appearing as grown adults?Because the developers aren't going to risk a lawsuit by having some overprotective parent start making a fuss over seeing children get killed in this game. My point is that you used to be a citizen of another city or lived somewhere else before this happened. I shouldn't have to point out that you can no longer start in Qeynos or Freeport. This means everything you accomplished with your life as a Qeynosian citizen is now gone for good.-If you think in terms of large objects falling from space, usually what will happen is a larger chunk (the piece that hit Velious) will break up as it enters the atmosphere of a planet, thus resulting in smaller pieces (the "smaller" pieces being the ones that have been pelting the planet for the last some odd years) then the larger piece, if it survives entry will land. This make sense to me, is my logic failing somewhere so you didn't see this as a possible explination?We were told that Luclin blew up 50 years ago, and the last piece dropped 15 years ago. This dwarf is telling you that a chunk of Luclin fell 5 years after the last piece fell from the sky.-The "regular" dwarves sound like previous pilgrims to me....For what? Dwarves warship Brell Sirilis, not Mithanial Marr. They really don't have any particular reason for being on the island. I'm not complaining about them being there. I"m just saying I never found an explained reason.-Last but not least, and I could be wrong here, but arn't Erollisi & Mith Marr the creators of both the barbarian and human races? It would make sense in my mind for one of them to create the barbarians, then the other to go "Well let's make one in my image as wel"Humans evolved from Barbarians. They weren't created by the gods. The Marr TWINS are TWINS. In the Shard of Love, you used to be able to see a female barbarian body behind the crystal casket. It was a god who created the statue. I'm not complaining about anything about the statue. I clearly stated it was my opinion on the matter.</blockquote><cite>shadowscale wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Balinor@Unrest wrote:</cite><blockquote>-If the spirits choose to willingly come back, that's not necromancy, it's a choice by the dead dwarves, not someone calling them back forceably.</blockquote>who says necromancy has to use force? few quests in paineel are a good example it all depends on how its used.and who says the undead orcs are being forced to keep fighting, would think if they had a chance to come back willingly they would do the same and the necromancers are simply giveing them that chance.and look at defilers, they use force useing shamanism rather then necromancy.</blockquote>You very specifically find out that the orcs are forcing the undead to fight for their side, and yes, an orc using necromancy is practically unheard of. Both you and the dwarf you talk to about it don't deny the possibility of it happening, but both of you have never heard of them being anything besides a "Warrior or Shamany-type". Make no mistake, the orcs are doing this very clearly for the sake of malicious evil.

Cynith

05-10-2010, 01:45 PM

<cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>shadowscale wrote:</cite><blockquote>dont see the problem with the apperence of Erollisi Marr, she is a ranger after all. besideds being the goddes of love she is also the goddes of the hunt.</blockquote>All the more reason why she should be wearing chain armor, not plate.</blockquote>It kinda looks more like she is in leather to me.but I also have to say - the spirit of Erollisi in the Shard of Love that was released by Mithaniel was most certainly a barbarian female model so I was a little caught off guard when I saw the human representation of her in the statue. I do think it's beautiful though - one of my favorite statues in game.

Zabjade

05-10-2010, 04:04 PM

Considering the fact that godlings regulary change how they appear and how Mithanial usually appears as a barbarians in the realms and since Erollis was basicly dead, with no control of how she looks and Mithanial in control of the SoL....

Cusashorn

05-10-2010, 04:10 PM

That's quite a run-on sentance that makes little sense there, Zabjade.

Zabjade

05-10-2010, 05:00 PM

Headache. To clarify, godlings can choose to have any form they wish. At the Moment Erollis is dead as a godling can get without doing a half-gainer into the singularity in the Abyss. At the moment she cannot really choose how she is viewed. Her brother, however is/was holding what remained of her Essence (big E) from dissipating, therefore he was choosing how she looked in repose. Mithanial prefers to look as a Barbarian in his own realms, so he might have unconsciously given Erollis a barbarian form in the Shard of Love. Her statue was carved by someone else who was depicting Erollis in the likeness she preferred to be viewed in (at least at the time of the crafting of the Statue.) which is probably why Mithanial noted that the statue captured her essence (little e) so well.

Eriol

05-10-2010, 06:02 PM

<cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote><blockquote>Humans evolved from Barbarians. They weren't created by the gods. The Marr TWINS are TWINS. In the Shard of Love, you used to be able to see a female barbarian body behind the crystal casket. It was a god who created the statue. I'm not complaining about anything about the statue. I clearly stated it was my opinion on the matter.</blockquote></blockquote>C'mon Cusa. Am I going to have to dig out my old EQ1 manual and look up the creation story there where it has the line about how the creation of the humans from the barbarians was "perhaps the last direct act of godly intervention" or something like that? It's there. Erudites from Humans was not the act of any God, but Humans from Barbarians almost certainly was.

VikingGamer

05-10-2010, 06:02 PM

Now this island appearently floated here from far away. And since it is a very small island being only a few miles wide and few miles long. With such a large number of pilgrims washing up on the shores and forgetting where they were from, my fear is that the whole island will become so overly populated that it will tip over and capsize.

Cusashorn

05-10-2010, 06:18 PM

<cite>Eriol wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote><blockquote>Humans evolved from Barbarians. They weren't created by the gods. The Marr TWINS are TWINS. In the Shard of Love, you used to be able to see a female barbarian body behind the crystal casket. It was a god who created the statue. I'm not complaining about anything about the statue. I clearly stated it was my opinion on the matter.</blockquote></blockquote>C'mon Cusa. Am I going to have to dig out my old EQ1 manual and look up the creation story there where it has the line about how the creation of the humans from the barbarians was "perhaps the last direct act of godly intervention" or something like that? It's there. Erudites from Humans was not the act of any God, but Humans from Barbarians almost certainly was.</blockquote>Yes, I know all about that line, and how Mithanial may or may not have had a hand in our influence to evolve from the Barbarians. Mithanial "created" the Humans just as much as he created the Frogloks and Innoruuk created the Dark Elves: They took pre-existing races and manipulated them into the new one. Mithanial didn't actually create Humans, because the Barbarians already existed. I don't consider it the creation of a race just because he may or may not have inspired a barbarian to become a little smarter.What makes us different from Frogloks and Dark Elves is that there's no evidence or event in history that supports that he actually had a hand in creating us.

Kamimura

05-10-2010, 06:48 PM

<cite>Zabjade wrote:</cite><blockquote>To clarify, godlings can choose to have any form they wish. Her statue was carved by someone else who was depicting Erollis in the likeness she preferred to be viewed in (at least at the time of the crafting of the Statue.) which is probably why Mithanial noted that the statue captured her essence (little e) so well.</blockquote>Yep, that's essentially what the priest standing at the shrine says as well. "The deities of Norrath have often shown themselves in different forms, but what's important is that it captured her essence quite well."

Zabjade

05-10-2010, 06:48 PM

<cite>VikingGamer wrote:</cite><blockquote>Now this island appearently floated here from far away. And since it is a very small island being only a few miles wide and few miles long. With such a large number of pilgrims washing up on the shores and forgetting where they were from, my fear is that the whole island will become so overly populated that it will tip over and capsize.</blockquote>LOL at least you picked the right structure to do that with. Erolliss does indeed float on the water unlike say <a href="http://washingtonscene.thehill.com/in-the-know/36-news/3169-rep-hank-johnson-guam-could-tip-over-and-capsize" target="_blank">GUAM</a> which is a mountain in the middle of the ocean next to a canyon, and NOT going to tip over. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />Sorry I'm sensitive that one to that since I was born there.

Cynith

05-10-2010, 06:58 PM

<cite>Nevissa@Crushbone wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Zabjade wrote:</cite><blockquote>To clarify, godlings can choose to have any form they wish. Her statue was carved by someone else who was depicting Erollis in the likeness she preferred to be viewed in (at least at the time of the crafting of the Statue.) which is probably why Mithanial noted that the statue captured her essence (little e) so well.</blockquote>Yep, that's essentially what the priest standing at the shrine says as well. "The deities of Norrath have often shown themselves in different forms, but what's important is that it captured her essence quite well."</blockquote>Ah well they did give an explaination then - that works. I have not seen it up close and personal only in screenshots posted on the forums. Wonder if they have a New Halas souvenir shop with a miniature version for your house <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

VikingGamer

05-10-2010, 07:04 PM

<cite>Zabjade wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>VikingGamer wrote:</cite><blockquote>Now this island appearently floated here from far away. And since it is a very small island being only a few miles wide and few miles long. With such a large number of pilgrims washing up on the shores and forgetting where they were from, my fear is that the whole island will become so overly populated that it will tip over and capsize.</blockquote>LOL at least you picked the right structure to do that with. Erolliss does indeed float on the water unlike say <a href="http://washingtonscene.thehill.com/in-the-know/36-news/3169-rep-hank-johnson-guam-could-tip-over-and-capsize" target="_blank">GUAM</a> which is a mountain in the middle of the ocean next to a canyon, and NOT going to tip over. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" />Sorry I'm sensitive that one to that since I was born there. </blockquote>I think it has less to do with where he is from and more to do with that him being a polititian.

Iskandar

05-10-2010, 08:26 PM

<cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><cite>My point is that you used to be a citizen of another city or lived somewhere else before this happened. I shouldn't have to point out that you can no longer start in Qeynos or Freeport. This means everything you accomplished with your life as a Qeynosian citizen is now gone for good.</cite>The same can be said of the original new player experience too -- where were we from before the ship picked us up and was attacked by the drake? That original game intro included a nice backstory as well, so we knew all about the history of Norrath and the destruction of Luclin when we're rescued too. It's just a plot device -- don't read too much into it <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><cite></cite><cite>We were told that Luclin blew up 50 years ago, and the last piece dropped 15 years ago. This dwarf is telling you that a chunk of Luclin fell 5 years after the last piece fell from the sky.</cite>Since the night sky graphics include a plethora of shooting stars, clearly little pieces of Luclin are still falling down into Norrath's atmosphere. This is only to be expected -- there's a lot of debris up there, and much of it has a very weak tie (gravitationally speaking) to what is left of Luclin. Norrath will inevitably draw many of these pieces to it -- it's all about mass and gravity, and a planet the size of Norrath has both in its favor. So it's not hard at all to believe that a more sizeable impact would occassionally occur, even well after the initial explosion. Bear in mind that an event of sufficient force to shatter a planet would be more than enough to hurl debris of notable size in every direction -- so there's a lot more floating about up there than just the cloud of debris we see in Luclin's orbit.

Meirril

05-10-2010, 10:08 PM

<cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote><blockquote>We were told that Luclin blew up 50 years ago, and the last piece dropped 15 years ago. This dwarf is telling you that a chunk of Luclin fell 5 years after the last piece fell from the sky.</blockquote></blockquote>Funny, looking up at the night time sky of Norrath I can see plenty of chunks of Luclin still. Seems to be a whole bunch of them both preceeding and trailing behind the largest fragments of Luclin.The Shattering ended 15 years ago. You no longer see nightly strikes where bits and peices of Luclin impact Norrath and cause the seas to be un-navigatable or threaten to impact your home. That doesn't mean that it is impossible for a large fragment to fall from orbit, it just means it isn't a daily occurance. It is certainly possible for a large fragment to hit and destroy Qeynos or Freeport if the devs feel that is the direction the game should take. But if that happened, it wouldn't be a continuation of The Shattering. It would be a seperate event that can draw its long term cause back to The Shattering, just like the creation of the human race can be drawn back to Mithanial's imprisonment by Cazic Thule and Innorruk. Hmm...wonder why Inny hasn't claimed some of the glory of creating humans?

Rainmare

05-11-2010, 12:12 AM

that wasn't Inny. the story on humans is generally some of the tribes moved to the plains, and evolved from there into humans. Inny nad Cazic were the ones that instigated the creation of frogloks and original barbs I think.

Cusashorn

05-11-2010, 01:11 AM

<cite>Iskandar wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><cite>My point is that you used to be a citizen of another city or lived somewhere else before this happened. I shouldn't have to point out that you can no longer start in Qeynos or Freeport. This means everything you accomplished with your life as a Qeynosian citizen is now gone for good.</cite>The same can be said of the original new player experience too -- where were we from before the ship picked us up and was attacked by the drake? That original game intro included a nice backstory as well, so we knew all about the history of Norrath and the destruction of Luclin when we're rescued too. It's just a plot device -- don't read too much into it <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /><cite></cite></blockquote>Those little shooting stars you see are clouds zipping around up in the Overrealm. Before Kingdom of Sky was added to the game, they weren't there.Back when the game first started and we were pulled out of the waters by Captain Vargos, we soon realized that we were given complete amnesia of who we are, who we used to be, what we knew, what we accomplished before that. It worked back then because it was the first character many people would ever create. This time around, they imply that you know what your past life used to be, but they're just gonna throw it away anyway and force you to start over.

Larkverdin

05-11-2010, 02:29 AM

Cusa, if it's really that big of a deal to you, then just don't start a new character in New Halas. I mean, just because they don't specifically say that your character has amnesia this time around, and you're throwing this big of a fit about it, all I can say is that maybe you should be a little less nitpicky about every single little lore detail. This really isn't that big of a deal, and most people seem to like the story as it's presented. I understand that in your world everything has to make complete sense and if one little detail is missing there's a post about it in the lore forums but I gotta say, this is a little far fetched imo.The only explination I can offer you to make it so you can sleep at night is this: think of it in real life terms. You're a city dweller from New York, you go on a cruise & your ship sinks. Say you manage to get to an island that's inhabited by natives who don't kill you outright, but instead welcome you into their culture. Very few of your past skills that helped you in the city are going to be of any benefit for you here in your new island lifestyle, you haven't necessarily forgotten them, but replaced them with new skills that you've gained while being on the island.

Iskandar

05-11-2010, 02:31 AM

<cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote>Those little shooting stars you see are clouds zipping around up in the Overrealm. Before Kingdom of Sky was added to the game, they weren't there.Back when the game first started and we were pulled out of the waters by Captain Vargos, we soon realized that we were given complete amnesia of who we are, who we used to be, what we knew, what we accomplished before that. It worked back then because it was the first character many people would ever create. This time around, they imply that you know what your past life used to be, but they're just gonna throw it away anyway and force you to start over.</blockquote>A lot of things didn't exist before one expansion or another -- that doesn't necessarily mean they didn't exist tho... look at how Fae were added to the Frostfell content once Faydwer went in -- they're even in McScoogle's girlfriend flashback now! To totally misquote Freud, sometimes a meteor is just a meteor <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/ed515dbff23a0ee3241dcc0a601c9ed6.gif" border="0" /> And when a planetary body half the size of the parent planet breaks up in orbit... well, there's gonna be a LOT of meteors for a very very VERY long time!As far as "throwing away" your past... well, it happens <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /> Lots of people around the world start their lives over, move to a new place where they can forget their past mistakes and start anew. Again, it's just a plot device to get the "welcome to EQ2 new player" story rolling. And it works a bit better than the whole amnesia thing too, imho -- I don't know about you, but if I woke up in some strange corner of the world with amnesia, surrounded by strangers, I'd bust my tail to find out who I was and where I'm from. Besides, we're talking level one toons here... it's not like they have that much experience to throw away to begin with! <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/97ada74b88049a6d50a6ed40898a03d7.gif" border="0" />So, why not tell us what YOUR new player introduction would be? What type of plot would YOU use to introduce not only Halas but EQ2 itself to new players?

Rainmare

05-11-2010, 04:07 AM

I'd do it very simple. your are a young Qeynosian/Kelethinian, sent to New Halas to aid in the pilgrimages and establishment of Kelethin/Qeynos' newest ally. becuase lets face it, other then the Coldain, EVERYONE there is a pilgrim/former qeynosian.but then I also would have kept Freeport and Qeynos as starter cities.I can buy the meteor thing being after the 'Shattering' that a large enough chunk of luclin drifted just a tad to far and got sucked in by gravitaional pull.the story they give you though makes no sense. supposedly your ship ws hit by ry'gorr orcs...nevermind there's barely enough of these orcs to even get a foothold on the island, let alone have the naval power to be sinking ships right and left...lets not forget they don't have the supplies to be building warships with either.So wherever your from, you get attacked by some kinda of miracle warship the Rygorr have constructed that apparently can't be used to bombard the coldain but can sink another ship. you fall from the ship into freezing cold water. now one of two things has to happen here. either the attack renders you unconcious, or hypothermia sets in that causes you to passout. you drift in these waters until the pilgrims see you and pull you ashore. your unconcious for several days afterward with them working to restore you.nevermind you've just been pulled out of freezing cold water and they are working on you on an iceflow.even if they wanted this to make sense...it's really stretching it to not mention anything about your past, at all. I mean in the orignal story, we don't remember who we are...but you're still asked about it. but this one apparently you do know who you are....but the people that just saved you either a) don't wanna know or b) you don't wanna say.neither choice makes any logical sense. you'd tell someone who you and and where your from, usually with the intent to get home. adn they certainly would ask, to find out who is out there in that the rygorr are attacking, becuase that means an ally against them.hell they coudl have used it as a reason to give you a choice to have citizenship in Qeynos. have a blurb if you picked qeynos to say 'where are you from?' 'I'm from qeynos I was coming here to aid you' or 'coming here on a pilgrimage'and if you wanted your home city to be halas, you could have explained it as you were heading to qeynos for help or out fishing or what have you when you were attacked.

Cusashorn

05-11-2010, 11:42 AM

<cite>Rainmare@Oasis wrote:</cite><blockquote>I'd do it very simple. your are a young Qeynosian/Kelethinian, sent to New Halas to aid in the pilgrimages and establishment of Kelethin/Qeynos' newest ally. becuase lets face it, other then the Coldain, EVERYONE there is a pilgrim/former qeynosian.but then I also would have kept Freeport and Qeynos as starter cities.I can buy the meteor thing being after the 'Shattering' that a large enough chunk of luclin drifted just a tad to far and got sucked in by gravitaional pull.the story they give you though makes no sense. supposedly your ship ws hit by ry'gorr orcs...nevermind there's barely enough of these orcs to even get a foothold on the island, let alone have the naval power to be sinking ships right and left...lets not forget they don't have the supplies to be building warships with either.So wherever your from, you get attacked by some kinda of miracle warship the Rygorr have constructed that apparently can't be used to bombard the coldain but can sink another ship. you fall from the ship into freezing cold water. now one of two things has to happen here. either the attack renders you unconcious, or hypothermia sets in that causes you to passout. you drift in these waters until the pilgrims see you and pull you ashore. your unconcious for several days afterward with them working to restore you.nevermind you've just been pulled out of freezing cold water and they are working on you on an iceflow.even if they wanted this to make sense...it's really stretching it to not mention anything about your past, at all. I mean in the orignal story, we don't remember who we are...but you're still asked about it. but this one apparently you do know who you are....but the people that just saved you either a) don't wanna know or b) you don't wanna say.neither choice makes any logical sense. you'd tell someone who you and and where your from, usually with the intent to get home. adn they certainly would ask, to find out who is out there in that the rygorr are attacking, becuase that means an ally against them.hell they coudl have used it as a reason to give you a choice to have citizenship in Qeynos. have a blurb if you picked qeynos to say 'where are you from?' 'I'm from qeynos I was coming here to aid you' or 'coming here on a pilgrimage'and if you wanted your home city to be halas, you could have explained it as you were heading to qeynos for help or out fishing or what have you when you were attacked.</blockquote>This is how I would have done things too. I would have left Qeynos and Freeport as open starting cities, and your Qeynosian would start in New Halas under the orders of Qeynos to help the Pilgrims and establish good relations with New Halas.With Freeport, You would either start in Darklight Woods or Timorous Deep under the impression that you're at least trying to uphold what weak alliances Freeport holds with those cities to make it look like the city is still strong.

Cusashorn

05-11-2010, 12:02 PM

<cite>Balinor@Unrest wrote:</cite><blockquote>Cusa, if it's really that big of a deal to you, then just don't start a new character in New Halas. I mean, just because they don't specifically say that your character has amnesia this time around, and you're throwing this big of a fit about it, all I can say is that maybe you should be a little less nitpicky about every single little lore detail. This really isn't that big of a deal, and most people seem to like the story as it's presented. I understand that in your world everything has to make complete sense and if one little detail is missing there's a post about it in the lore forums but I gotta say, this is a little far fetched imo.The only explination I can offer you to make it so you can sleep at night is this: think of it in real life terms. You're a city dweller from New York, you go on a cruise & your ship sinks. Say you manage to get to an island that's inhabited by natives who don't kill you outright, but instead welcome you into their culture. Very few of your past skills that helped you in the city are going to be of any benefit for you here in your new island lifestyle, you haven't necessarily forgotten them, but replaced them with new skills that you've gained while being on the island.</blockquote>I have no problem getting to sleep at night, thank you.I started a character there and actually enjoyed the questlines and what I found out there. All I'm saying is that it gives no good explanation why your character has to just suddenly start over from your past life.As I said, your character who starts in New Halas has full knowledge of Norrath's past. Would a brand new player of the game have ANY knowledge of the lore in this game? If they still played the Tome of Destiny opening when you launched a character, then they'd be given an introduction to it, but New Halas just assumes they already know instead of having them find out for themselves.The only thing that really does bother me is still the fact that they're removing Qeynos and Freeport as starting cities, and giving NO EXPLANATION why Humans can't start in thier ancestral cities that they've been living in for over 1000 years.I know you probably don't care about such a trivial detail, but the Human race has always been my favorite in this game. They've always been the best in my opinion, and this game itself was founded on a storyline that revolves around Qeynos and Freeport. This game wouldn't exist without them.Every other race in the game was forced to abandon their home cities due to extenuating circumstances. War, invasions, or the Cataclysms made them move to Qeynos and Freeport. Us Humans were chosen by the gods for our cities to be spared from complete destruction. So what's the reason why my newly created human character has to just accept that New Halas is now my home? Why does it then proceed to act like I was never a member of Qeynos to begin with when I go talk to the City Registration NPC? Where's the lore to support why I can't live in my home city!?

Iskandar

05-11-2010, 04:06 PM

Oh, I definately agree that removing Qeynos and Freeport as starter cities is a bad idea... their rivalry has been the backbone of the game since day one -- and suddenly it's gone?? That's.... beyond lame imho <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/2786c5c8e1a8be796fb2f726cca5a0fe.gif" border="0" />If the questlines in Qeynos and Freeport are so subpar and shameful that the Devs wish to hide them in obscurity, then why not do something wild and crazy like... oh, I dunno... maybe revamp the questlines? <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/e8a506dc4ad763aca51bec4ca7dc8560.gif" border="0" /> I know, I know, CRAZY TALK! <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/ed515dbff23a0ee3241dcc0a601c9ed6.gif" border="0" /> Get the quests more organized, add in some new quests to link different quest series together, bump up the rewards (heck, just COPY the rewards from Gorowyn if it's that much trouble) and BAM, you have Qeynos and Freeport maintained as viable starter cities that are just as attractive to newbies as Halas, Gorowyn, Darklight, and Kelethin.Devs, don't be ashamed of the heart and core of the game... all it needs is a little loving attention every now and then, instead of constantly being pushed to the backburners of obscurity. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" />

Meirril

05-11-2010, 10:35 PM

<cite>Rainmare@Oasis wrote:</cite><blockquote>that wasn't Inny. the story on humans is generally some of the tribes moved to the plains, and evolved from there into humans. Inny nad Cazic were the ones that instigated the creation of frogloks and original barbs I think.</blockquote>And by starting into motion the creation of the barbarians you also account for the later creation of humans and euradites because neither of these races would of come into existance without the prior existance of barbarians. It is a bit like having dark elves or wood elves without having high elves. The high elves needed to exist first.

Cusashorn

05-12-2010, 12:45 AM

<cite>Meirril wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Rainmare@Oasis wrote:</cite><blockquote>that wasn't Inny. the story on humans is generally some of the tribes moved to the plains, and evolved from there into humans. Inny nad Cazic were the ones that instigated the creation of frogloks and original barbs I think.</blockquote>And by starting into motion the creation of the barbarians you also account for the later creation of humans and euradites because neither of these races would of come into existance without the prior existance of barbarians. It is a bit like having dark elves or wood elves without having high elves. The high elves needed to exist first.</blockquote>Both High and Wood Elf races were one race back when the Dark Elves were created. They only split into High and Wood when they moved to Faydwer.

KniteShayd

05-12-2010, 07:40 AM

<cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote>The only thing that really does bother me is still the fact that they're removing Qeynos and Freeport as starting cities, and giving NO EXPLANATION why Humans can't start in thier ancestral cities that they've been living in for over 1000 years.I know you probably don't care about such a trivial detail, but the Human race has always been my favorite in this game. They've always been the best in my opinion, and this game itself was founded on a storyline that revolves around Qeynos and Freeport. This game wouldn't exist without them.Every other race in the game was forced to abandon their home cities due to extenuating circumstances. War, invasions, or the Cataclysms made them move to Qeynos and Freeport. Us Humans were chosen by the gods for our cities to be spared from complete destruction. So what's the reason why my newly created human character has to just accept that New Halas is now my home? Why does it then proceed to act like I was never a member of Qeynos to begin with when I go talk to the City Registration NPC? Where's the lore to support why I can't live in my home city!?</blockquote>I believe it was because they (SOE) want to remove the Noob Isles (QC/IoO) from game. with no newbie starting area, you would just get thrown into a city and not know what to do...

KniteShayd

05-12-2010, 07:46 AM

In reguards to Diety variences in looks, is this look for Mithaniel anywhere else? (excuse the poor quality)<img src="http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/KniteShayd/MithanielMarr.jpg" />

Cusashorn

05-12-2010, 09:31 AM

<cite>Euri@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite><blockquote>In reguards to Diety variences in looks, is this look for Mithaniel anywhere else? (excuse the poor quality)<img src="http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/KniteShayd/MithanielMarr.jpg" /></blockquote>Not exact detail for detail given the graphical differences, but yes, Mithanial Marr has always looked like that <a href="http://eqbeastiary.allakhazam.com/search.shtml?id=10342" target="_blank">since his first visual appearance in the Planes of Power.</a>

Cusashorn

05-12-2010, 09:38 AM

<cite>Euri@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote>The only thing that really does bother me is still the fact that they're removing Qeynos and Freeport as starting cities, and giving NO EXPLANATION why Humans can't start in thier ancestral cities that they've been living in for over 1000 years.I know you probably don't care about such a trivial detail, but the Human race has always been my favorite in this game. They've always been the best in my opinion, and this game itself was founded on a storyline that revolves around Qeynos and Freeport. This game wouldn't exist without them.Every other race in the game was forced to abandon their home cities due to extenuating circumstances. War, invasions, or the Cataclysms made them move to Qeynos and Freeport. Us Humans were chosen by the gods for our cities to be spared from complete destruction. So what's the reason why my newly created human character has to just accept that New Halas is now my home? Why does it then proceed to act like I was never a member of Qeynos to begin with when I go talk to the City Registration NPC? Where's the lore to support why I can't live in my home city!?</blockquote>I believe it was because they (SOE) want to remove the Noob Isles (QC/IoO) from game. with no newbie starting area, you would just get thrown into a city and not know what to do...</blockquote>Yeah but that's no explanation why Humans are suddenly not allowed to start in their ancestral cities. They're kicking us out due to mechanic reasons with no good explanation to back it up.

KniteShayd

05-13-2010, 08:02 AM

<cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Euri@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite><blockquote>In reguards to Diety variences in looks, is this look for Mithaniel anywhere else? (excuse the poor quality)<img src="http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/KniteShayd/MithanielMarr.jpg" /></blockquote>Not exact detail for detail given the graphical differences, but yes, Mithanial Marr has always looked like that <a href="http://eqbeastiary.allakhazam.com/search.shtml?id=10342" target="_blank">since his first visual appearance in the Planes of Power.</a></blockquote>Ok, cuz the avatar in CL looks different than that, does it not?

Stubbswick

05-13-2010, 11:13 AM

Wow, he's put on some weight since PoP. I guess he's been locked up with Erolissi in Shard of Love eating his feelings.Also, you have to remember that Avatars are just Avatars. They aren't the actual dieties themselves.

Cusashorn

05-13-2010, 11:43 AM

<cite>Euri@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Euri@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite><blockquote>In reguards to Diety variences in looks, is this look for Mithaniel anywhere else? (excuse the poor quality)<img src="http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/KniteShayd/MithanielMarr.jpg" /></blockquote>Not exact detail for detail given the graphical differences, but yes, Mithanial Marr has always looked like that <a href="http://eqbeastiary.allakhazam.com/search.shtml?id=10342" target="_blank">since his first visual appearance in the Planes of Power.</a></blockquote>Ok, cuz the avatar in CL looks different than that, does it not?</blockquote>Avatars are mortals who take on their divine powers.

kelvmor

05-13-2010, 04:32 PM

There's an easy reason as to why there would be normal dwarves in New Halas.It was, originally, a dwarven place. There are more dwarf NPCs in New Halas than in most other cities. It's all about their kin. Though the Coldain and Kaladim dwarves were created a bit seperately, they share the same creator and physical characteristics, even the same culture. And seeing the housing/crafting area and assuming that the city is pretty much run by the Coldain, Kaladim dwarves would probably love it there.

Bionickai001

05-15-2010, 11:26 AM

I've got a big question. Has anyone found a leader for New Halas? You know, such as Antonia, Lucan, Cristanos, Amree... I've looked everywhere but I haven't found one.

Cusashorn

05-15-2010, 01:51 PM

Well, Old Halas never had a leader. The shaman guild acted as the leaders. I don't see New Halas being any different. The Coldain may be in charge of the city since they were there first, but then again the city may be lead by the Swornlove siblings at the shrine of Erollisi.

Bionickai001

05-15-2010, 07:39 PM

Thanks, I had a feeling of that. It would just seem nice to have another influencial leader in the battle royal we seem to have now.

Cusashorn

05-16-2010, 11:39 AM

<cite>Bionickai001 wrote:</cite><blockquote>Thanks, I had a feeling of that. It would just seem nice to have another influencial leader in the battle royal we seem to have now.</blockquote>In a manner of speaking it makes sense. We know that Gorowyn is lead by a council, and are visible in the city itself, but we know nothing about them and they haven't been involved in any political affairs. They're just as neutral as New Halas is.