The Twelve Days of Velious – Aether Races

[Amnerys]

<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/images/en/logos/destiny_of_velious/EQII_DOV_Logo_500.png" width="400" height="200" /></p> <p>It's the final day of the Twelve Days of Velious, celebrating the launch of Destiny of Velious! You do not want to miss today's in-game event; Aether Races! Log in to take part in this brand new, one-day only in-game air race! Earn special rewards if you win, and help</p> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/images/en/spacers/flourish1_light.png" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/images/en/features/expansions/destiny_of_velious/butcherblock_track.jpg"><img src="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/images/en/features/expansions/destiny_of_velious/butcherblock_track_th.jpg" border="0" width="450" height="350" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Butcherblock Race Track </em></p> <p>Get your first taste of flight! The tinkerers have cobbled together a rattling, wheezing deathtrap of a flying machine, and they want YOU to test it for them! (They're not stupid enough to test it themselves.)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/images/en/features/expansions/destiny_of_velious/tt_racer.jpg"><img src="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/images/en/features/expansions/destiny_of_velious/tt_racer_th.jpg" border="0" width="450" height="350" /></a> <em></em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Tenebrous Tangle Racer</em></p> <p>They've disguised their guinea pig flying program as a set of air racing courses that they've sprinkled throughout Norrath. You can go to either Lavastorm, Butcherblock, or Tenebrous Tangle to join in on the racing action. Prizes are awarded for good finish times as incentive for pushing their rattletraps as hard as they'll go.</p> <p>NOTE: Race course signup NPCs are close enough to globe or wizard spire zone-in positions that *any* level of character can participate in these races, despite the courses being set in zones that are normally too difficult for some folks.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/images/en/features/expansions/destiny_of_velious/tt_track.jpg"><img src="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/images/en/features/expansions/destiny_of_velious/tt_track_th.jpg" border="0" width="450" height="350" /></a> <em></em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Tenebrous Tangle Race Track </em></p> <p>Prizes include:</p> <ul><li>Cool new titles that show how awesome you are at racing.</li><li>The ability to toodle around the zone in the racer that you used...as long as you beat the course time when racing. (This goes away when you zone or log out.) </li><li>A new mount to use after you complete the Velious flying mount quests! (This is a permanent object and can be used after you complete the Gryphon quests in Velious.)</li></ul><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/images/en/features/expansions/destiny_of_velious/lavastorm_track.jpg"><img src="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/images/en/features/expansions/destiny_of_velious/lavastorm_track_th.jpg" border="0" width="450" height="350" /></a> <em></em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Lavastorm Race Track </em></p> <p>There are also hazards and boons as you race, so you need to study courses to get the best times, high-score lists, and more.</p> <p>Look for gnomish pirates at the race starts! The EQII Volunteer Guides will make appearances throughout the day, offering up a quest and a cool reward!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/images/en/features/expansions/destiny_of_velious/lavastorm_racer.jpg"><img src="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/images/en/features/expansions/destiny_of_velious/lavastorm_racer_th.jpg" border="0" width="450" height="350" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Lavastorm Racer</em></p> <p align="left">Don't miss out on this event!</p> <p align="left"><strong>This event will happen on Tuesday, March 1st ONLY.</strong> (Although if you like it, we might fine-tune it and attach it to Tinkerfest in the future. Just let us know!) Races will run from 10:00 am PST on March 1st until 10:00 am PST on March 2nd.</p>

[Ahlana]

<p><span >A new mount to use after you complete the Velious flying mount quests! (This is a permanent object and can be used after you complete the Gryphon quests in Velious.)</span></p><p>I don't see this as a reward.. am I missing it?</p>

[Miznit]

<p>I don't know for sure how many times you have to do the race, or even if you have to beat certain times, but you DO get one evntually.  In fact, I got three of them <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>I want to place my vote for having this yearly at tinkerfest.  It is FUUUN!  A guildie and I were racing together, and both of us were having a blast!</p><p>But, I have a question.  I was able to get three different mounts, but there are five to choose from....and I can't seem to be able to get the other two.  Is it possible to get all five?  It seems that once I've gotten one in a zone, I never get another in that zone.  Not complaining, just asking <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Whilhelmina]

<p>Could someone make a sum up of titles and rewards pretty please?</p>

[Whilhelmina]

<p>Well, I'll try to answer my own question:</p><p>- Test Pilot for 1st run- a choice of permanent appearance mounts for 5 runs- Crash test dummy extraordinaire for 10 runs</p><p>A special title for getting under a specific time for each zones- 54s in Lava : Smoking Ace- 165s in TT : Cloud Buster- around 80 in BB : Sea Hawk</p>

[Cloudrat]

<p>Thanks Whil<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Calthine]

<p>Work in progress, contributions welcome! </p><p><strong><a href="http://eq2.zam.com/wiki/Aether_Races_%28EQ2%29" target="_blank">Aether Races at ZAM</a></strong></p>

[Barbai]

<p>this is a great idea, really should put it in with one of the yearly events.</p>

[Calthine]

<p><cite>Draca@Befallen wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>this is a great idea, really should put it in with one of the yearly events.</p></blockquote><p>I agree.  I bet there's more courses already laid out...</p>

[Zehl_Ice-Fire]

<p>Fun!</p>

[Lodrelhai]

<p>Oh please please please include this with tinkerfest?!?</p>

[Phage]

<p><cite>Amnerys wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: center;">(Although if you like it, we might fine-tune it and attach it to Tinkerfest in the future. Just let us know!)<a href="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/images/en/features/expansions/destiny_of_velious/lavastorm_racer.jpg"></a></p></blockquote><p>This is me letting you know!  Please make this a regular event.  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Selioth]

<p><cite>Phage@Vox wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Amnerys wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: center;">(Although if you like it, we might fine-tune it and attach it to Tinkerfest in the future. Just let us know!)<a href="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/images/en/features/expansions/destiny_of_velious/lavastorm_racer.jpg"></a></p></blockquote><p>This is me letting you know!  Please make this a regular event.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /></p></blockquote><p>2nded</p>

[Zabjade]

<p><span style="color: #00cc00;">Fun yes, Me fast enough...Nope. </span></p><p><span style="color: #00cc00;">I did it on two characters one a Tinkerer the other an Human from Earth keeping an Eye on Norrath (RP Server-AB)</span></p><p><span style="color: #00cc00;">I do think it's a Good Idea for Tinkerfest, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>AS LONG AS</strong></span> you have house item tools to place around the mount. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </span></p><p><span style="color: #00cc00;">Also some other designs also might be a good Idea. I was hoping for a bike-like one with in-wing VTOL propellers based on the Gryphon mount lay-out.</span></p><p><span style="color: #00cc00;">I just didn't have the speedy connection or coordination to make the cut myself (What can you do /shrug)</span></p><p><span style="color: #00cc00;">For those without good connections perhaps also a touring course might be an idea. (with a Zone with a lot of scenery like EL)</span></p><p><span style="color: #00cc00;">BTW a good idea might be to have the course in blue on the map function.</span></p>

[TorrynWoodsrunner]

<p><cite>Amnerys wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p align="left">(Although if you like it, we might fine-tune it and attach it to Tinkerfest in the future. Just let us know!)</p></blockquote><p>Consider this my formal and proper notification of my approval of this event and desire for its future refinement and subsequent inclusion to the Tinkerfest celebrations.</p><p>Thank you for you kind attention to this matter.</p><p>Sincerely,</p>

[Tyrus Dracofire]

<p>yes. it is ideal fun event for tinkerfest.</p><p>one day isnt enough. some folks just got home and did very little fun and had to do the guild raids, and too tired to do the race when raid is over and nearly time for bed.</p>

[Whilhelmina]

<p>Wow, it's an altogether different event now that we finally got the patch and it's definatedly FUN <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Katz]

<p>Definitely add it to tinkerfest!</p>

[Morghus]

<p>I wonder how long it will take the gnomes to make creepy terminator-esque gryphons as mounts....</p>

[Orshan]

<p>I had a blast!  This is definitely something I would love to see at tinkerfest each year... or even make it it's own event!</p>

[Amnerys]

<p>Psst - for those with Test characters, don't forget the Aether Races are still running until 3/3 at 10am PST for that server (and the international servers). They didn't get a crucial bug fix before the race start, so their races were extended. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Kamimura]

<p><cite>Amnerys wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p align="left"> (Although if you like it, we might fine-tune it and attach it to Tinkerfest in the future. Just let us know!)</p></blockquote><p>Yes please! The event was a lot of fun, and it would be a real shame if all that work was only ever seen for just one day. It would make a great addition to Tinkerfest.</p>

[Brekkik]

<p>I too would like to see this come back as a yearly event at Tinkerfest. Maybe add a new course each year and other models/colors for the pods. Some zones I'd like to see future courses in: Everfrost, Sinking Sands, Nektulos Forest, Thundering Steppes, Timorous Deep, Loping Plains, and Steamfont, among several others.</p>

[Eveningsong]

<p>It was a total blast (and not just when I landed <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />).  I think a lot of us will be really disappointed if this isn't added in some form to Tinkerfest now that you've teased us with the possibility.</p>

[Rosebelle]

<p>I really, really enjoyed this event, so plz add this to tinkerfest <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/e8a506dc4ad763aca51bec4ca7dc8560.gif" border="0" /></p><p>I have some suggestions on improvements: 1) I would like a little speedometer thats shows me the speed so I dont need to click on C to check my speed. 2) In Lavastorm I had difficulties to land on the platform, most of the times I ended up in the water lol, yeah im lousy at landing. Can you put a ramp from water up to the platform so I dont need to swim to the shore and run back to the quest giver. And it would be great if the ramp could be there year around to <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" /></p>

[Amarisa]

<p>Loved this event, would like to see it again <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/ed515dbff23a0ee3241dcc0a601c9ed6.gif" border="0" /></p>

[Finora]

<p>The races were definately fun and it would be a real shame if it were a one time thing.</p>

[SisterTheresa]

<p><cite>Ahlana wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><span>A new mount to use after you complete the Velious flying mount quests! (This is a permanent object and can be used after you complete the Gryphon quests in Velious.)</span></p><p>I don't see this as a reward.. am I missing it?</p></blockquote><p>I would really like this to come back for tinkerfest.</p><p>Right now, the Velious quests are getting borked out the wazoo, petitions are backed up, and I can't get anything done up there without waiting.  So alas .. I missed out on this mount reward cause I couldn't get my darned gryphon.</p>

[Zephanor]

<p>These were a blast.  Thanks for doing this!</p><p>I always appreciate some "outside of the box" kind of events in game that are different from typical game play (quest, kill, etc, etc.)  This certainly fits the bill!  I hope that you add additional courses and features.</p><p>Well done!</p>

[Phage]

<p><cite>SisterTheresa wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Right now, the Velious quests are getting borked out the wazoo, petitions are backed up, and I can't get anything done up there without waiting.  So alas .. I missed out on this mount reward cause I couldn't get my darned gryphon.</p></blockquote><p>Whether or not you had your gryphon would not have affected your ability to participate in the races and receive the permanent mount reward.</p>

[TheFairDruid]

<p>I had so much fun! I would like to see this implemented like Battlegrounds, why leave it just for tinkerfest! It looks to me that alot of work was put into it, I would like to see it around permanently.</p><p>Could have a token system too, to buy +speed bonus for flying mounts, apperiance items, house items. The skies the limit <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>As you can see I'm hooked, AR forever.</p>

[Aneova]

<p>If the Dev's haven't noticed....</p><p>WE REALLY LIKED THIS!! <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Do more stuff like this please <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[janmystique]

<p>This is an excellent addition to the game. I would certainly like to see it appear at Tinkerfest. It is far too good an idea to discard! Bonus payments please for the ideas people and the art people and the implementation people - and me! <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/e8a506dc4ad763aca51bec4ca7dc8560.gif" border="0" /></p>

[Barq Bandit]

<p>This was a ton of fun, and definitely deserves refinement.  I really liked the entire concept.  You're probably going to need to devote more server power to the zones involved next time, though, as I kept having to wait quite some time for the quest npc (and all the other players standing around) to render at the end of every race.</p><p>The textures on the billboard and racers looked a bit blurry in places, but a very cool (and amusing) designs.</p><p>In tweaking the courses, you may want to pitch each ring so that it also indicates where the next ring is vertically as well as directionally.  Imagine them as rings on a tube, and you'll get what I mean.  As is now, you turn a corner, see a ring, go through, see dot on map, but have no clue whether it's up or down in that direction.  Would help things out a lot, and give it a smoother look.  Perhaps create a set of rings that have the propeller angled by various amounts so the propeller can always be pointing straight up?  The ring around the water fall at the start of the TT course was a bit perplexing!</p><p>Hit check for the slow-down lightning balls was a bit wide, I think.  I veered clear of quite a few visually, but still ended up getting tagged by them.</p><p>Setting up races in the other two KoS zones would be awesome.  Those zones were made for flying!</p><p>The titles are awesome.  Going to really love having one of them up after I get my flying mount quest done and can soar in the skies!</p>

[SecrAtive Girl]

<p>yes i LOOOOOVED this event. it SO much fun! i spent the entrie day racing!</p>

[kingdraco1979]

<p>Dear SOE managment,</p><p>                             I am and have been a loyal subsciber for over a year and a half now and yet again you make it till my toon has to pack vasoline everytime i log on due to your; Extreme lag, neglect of your server quality, hotzone butchering and favortism toward any D.O.V. subcriber over your loyal oldschool EQ2 players. Would it hurt you so bad to throw us a bone every now and then, I mean cmon I cant even level a guild because your races are sucking 2-3 days of grinding time with fast exp and immature thrills for children. Though this to me may be ever so disturbing, the most disturbing fact is you never even tried to fix the lag. Now instead of moving at half speed like I was getting somewhat used to I am moving at maybe 18 FPS to 19 FPS due to area congestion, may i make a suggestion to you and have you limit the races per toon to 3 per day. People were getting their hovercrafts in 2 hours in case you did not notice, which destroyed the area gameplay like a hurricane. I play this game because I love the gameplay not because I can do what poeple do in WOW now. Please give us non-DOV users a break on the lag and maybe even a perk or two considering we have tollerated your proposterous downtime and infinite bugs in program that affected our gameplay. Guys a day of double exp exp does not make up for 2 1/2 weeks of crashes standstill lag and not a hotzone in SF at all resulting in massive exp loss even if we had a doubloe exp day. Please make races award participants guild status toward guild levels at least in some way, also don't forget some of us have to harvest our supplies for crafting because you wont give us a pet that harvests ours for us unlike you do for DOV users. I will continue to keep my account valad and paid simply because I love the way the game plays in certain aspects and I now have a guild to look out for which i run, but I really think you need to impliment a way players can help their guild by racing and a way non-dov guilds can get a break harvesting without grinding their guts out for weeks at a time just so they can get harvesters.</p><p>                                                                                                                             Sincerly,</p><p>                                                                   A LOYAL EQ2 PLAYER                                                                 </p>

[Jarrith]

<p>The race event was a good idea! Please do it again. I would love to see other events like this.</p>

[Zehl_Ice-Fire]

<p>Please do not ever make this a guild hall amenity, I think my friend suggested that somewhere and I'm sure others would like it, but I think IF these were to become permanent in the world they should be an open and accessable to everyone. I have a guild hall of my own but I still would not be pleased if I had to be in a guild, with a hall, with this amenity to fluff race.</p>

[Doomeous]

<p>I just wanted you people over there behind the scenesknow that I play a Gnome who would never be caught dead missing a flying race on a Star Trek Enterprise hoverpad unless I was running a fever from a nasty flu. My wife and I both missed it because of my running a terrible fever for 3 days... Please allow us to run this event again.. Some way shape or form... One time only deals are terrible to miss.. Have a heart!</p><p>Thank you</p><p>Loyal eq2 player.</p>

[Spiratus]

<p>Just wanted to say I really loved this. Got all the titles (I think) in all 3 zones <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Really awsome!</p>