Reincarnation of a Swifttail Monk

[Sylaz]

Ok, I played an Iksar Monk back in EQ1, and wanted to do the same. I'm wondering however, if from a roleplaying perspective the best I can get is making an Iksar Bruiser, betraying to Qeynos (or Kelethin) at 10, to then become a monk? Also, if I betrayed again (can you even do that) to become a permanent exile, would it let me worship Cazic-Thule? If that is possible, what are the downsides to being a permanent exile? Hopefully, maybe, just maybe, when Kunark goes live they'll release Cabalis, or what's left of it, and let Iksar move in, and be able to be monks instead of bruisers.

[AnAnimatedcorpse]

Lore-wise I think perma-exile would be excellent for an iksar; no demeaning Overlord, no weak and pathetic Queen... Just sit and meditate in a hole in the ground, brooding, waiting.. Downsides:  If you are on a PVP server everyone can kill you.    No shared bank!  You can still keep your house in Freeport/Qeynos, but most move to Maj'dul for convenience.  Very high brokerage fees! You will want to quickly gain qeynos and freeport faction so you can buy from their brokers when you have to.  No communication with Qeynosians or Freeportians (on PVP servers)    Loss of all PVP faction and titles.  More expensive repairs (unless you go to the village of Shin or get Qeynos and Freeport merchant faction)  More expensive raws for TSing..  No suffix names can be used besides The Exiled  No PVP token gear  There could be more, just can't think of any more off the top of my head...  Upsides:  If you are on a PVP server you can kill EVERYONE even fellow exiles!  You don't have to server the Overlord or the Queen.    Free boat trips to Nek/TS  Ability to group with classes of the opposite alignment for higher quality raiding (PVP)  Be a cave-dwelling nomad!  Earn the title of The Exiled!  No need to worry about PVP tokens! Yuuck!  Unlimited PVP fights, which are waaaaay better than arena duels! Want to practice to your heart's content? Exile is for YOU

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Anyway, in my opinion in PVP, this is more than worth it and if you want to be a Cazic-worshipping monk this is the only way you can do it. If any one is ever looking for some great exile-PVP contact myself or any other member of Shadows of Storm via PMs or in game tells/mail.

[Allisia]

Cabilis will not be a player city, but is largely destroyed I believe. The iksar empire of Kunark is now ruled from Sebilis again. The developers stated that they didn't intend to release any more cities in the foreseeable future after the release of Gorowyn with Rise of Kunark. I read that here on the boards, but it might be difficult to track down with the Dev Tracker out of order.

[Cusashorn]

Arrex@Kithicor wrote:

Cabilis will not be a player city, but is largely destroyed I believe. The iksar empire of Kunark is now ruled from Sebilis again. The developers stated that they didn't intend to release any more cities in the foreseeable future after the release of Gorowyn with Rise of Kunark. I read that here on the boards, but it might be difficult to track down with the Dev Tracker out of order.

Wait what? When did they release the official name of the Sarnak city?

Anyways, the Swifttails still exist as the monks that they are, and we don't honestly know yet if the new iksar empire will offer anything to players. I mean we know there wont be a city for the Iksar players to go live in, but that doesn't mean we're going to be thier enemies.

[Mirander_1]

Cusashorn wrote:

Wait what? When did they release the official name of the Sarnak city?

From the RoK announcement on EQ2 Alla: New Starting Area – Begin your adventure from the new starting area in the islands of Timorous Deep. Conclude your day of epic quests and retire to new housing within the Village of Gorowyn.

[KniteShayd]

Cusashorn wrote:

Arrex@Kithicor wrote:

Cabilis will not be a player city, but is largely destroyed I believe. The iksar empire of Kunark is now ruled from Sebilis again. The developers stated that they didn't intend to release any more cities in the foreseeable future after the release of Gorowyn with Rise of Kunark. I read that here on the boards, but it might be difficult to track down with the Dev Tracker out of order.

Wait what? When did they release the official name of the Sarnak city?

Anyways, the Swifttails still exist as the monks that they are, and we don't honestly know yet if the new iksar empire will offer anything to players. I mean we know there wont be a city for the Iksar players to go live in, but that doesn't mean we're going to be thier enemies.

Its on the official site for RoK.  In the Game details.

[Cusashorn]

Ahh. I haven't checked the website since the day it first went up, where there wasn't anything to look at.

[Zabjade]

Still hoping that the Swifttails will be their own faction apart from the rest of the Iksar, maybe have their own corner of the new player town as uneasy allies.

[Cusashorn]

Zabjade wrote:

Still hoping that the Swifttails will be their own faction apart from the rest of the Iksar, maybe have their own corner of the new player town as uneasy allies.

Hmm. The presence of the Swifttails would set the background for the lore behind the existance of monk trainers in the new city, but on the other hand, something pretty drastic would have had to happen for them to betray or go neutral from the rest of the Iksar.

[troodon]

Cusashorn wrote:

Zabjade wrote:

Still hoping that the Swifttails will be their own faction apart from the rest of the Iksar, maybe have their own corner of the new player town as uneasy allies.

Hmm. The presence of the Swifttails would set the background for the lore behind the existance of monk trainers in the new city, but on the other hand, something pretty drastic would have had to happen for them to betray or go neutral from the rest of the Iksar.

I don't think so.  It's not hard to imagine many Iksar being unwilling to cooperate with Venril

[AnAnimatedcorpse]

troodon wrote:

Cusashorn wrote:

Zabjade wrote:

Still hoping that the Swifttails will be their own faction apart from the rest of the Iksar, maybe have their own corner of the new player town as uneasy allies.

Hmm. The presence of the Swifttails would set the background for the lore behind the existance of monk trainers in the new city, but on the other hand, something pretty drastic would have had to happen for them to betray or go neutral from the rest of the Iksar.

I don't think so.  It's not hard to imagine many Iksar being unwilling to cooperate with Venril

Correct me if I am wrong, but what does Venril Sathir have to do a with a Sarnak city?

[Cusashorn]

Nothing. The Swifttails were loyal to the iksar cause. It's highly unlikely they'd betray Venril Sathir in order to help the Sarnaks.

[AnAnimatedcorpse]

That is exactly my line of thinking.

[Zabjade]

Never can tell, the Swifttails might be elsewhere however maybe on another island in Tumorous Deep?

[troodon]

Cusashorn wrote:

Nothing. The Swifttails were loyal to the iksar cause. It's highly unlikely they'd betray Venril Sathir in order to help the Sarnaks.

Definitely not help the Sarnaks, but I don't think it's unlikely that the Swiftale (or any other Iksar, for that matter) would go off on their own and refuse to be a part of Venril's plots

[Cusashorn]

troodon wrote:

Cusashorn wrote:

Nothing. The Swifttails were loyal to the iksar cause. It's highly unlikely they'd betray Venril Sathir in order to help the Sarnaks.

Definitely not help the Sarnaks, but I don't think it's unlikely that the Swiftale (or any other Iksar, for that matter) would go off on their own and refuse to be a part of Venril's plots

No denying that either. I'm just saying that if for some reason, the Swifttails went against Venril Sathir, or went neutral to the whole Kunark scenario, it would have to be ONE HECK of a big reason.

[Deson]

Given the lore, not liking Venril is a pretty big reason in and of itself.

[Cusashorn]

Deson wrote:

Given the lore, not liking Venril is a pretty big reason in and of itself.

But the Iksar like him. I mean he was one of the emperors in the past who helped keep the 5 tribes united together as one.

[Dreyco]

The Swift-tails breaking away from Venril Sathir and doing their own thing is very believeable.  The Empire in itself hated Venril, thought he was the greatest traitor to ever live, and thought his actions to be blasphemous.  Many Iksar probably thought the same.  Many Iksar probably still do.  How and why is the empire under his name? Who knows now.  Maybe he took advantage of a dire situation.  Maybe the iksar that DO follow him do so because they feel they have no where else to go, or are afraid of his wrath. Though I seriously doubt it was an immidiate, "I LOVE VENRIL SATHIR" thing.  Those who were loyal to the empire before? Definately not.

[Zabjade]

On top of that the biggest thing in Iksar Culture is FEAR, I'm sure that Venril Sathir inspires a lot of that, probably why he has so many followers in the latest Iksar Empire. many Iksar respect those that they fear.

The Swifttails on the otherhand probably just loath him they where one of the founding disiplines of Calabis (Both PnP Everquest and the EQ2 Racial abilities, reinforce this). Loathing and Fear and a possible swing toward Necromancy from Martial ablities might fuel more hatered.

Yes I know that Iksar had Necromancy before, but their racial attitude was actually more Dark Monk-like.

[Dreyco]

The Swift-tails were more into their 'own thing' anyway.  Grandmaster Tynn had his own art, his own way of doing things.  When he came to Cabilis, he dispatched the warlords that challenged him all by himself, and said "My way of the highway", thus forming the Swift-tail caste. I can see them staying the same way even though Venril has taken over.  Kind of a.... "Wow, we're not bending over for you.  We'll go our thing over HERE!" *Chuckles*

[Cusashorn]

Regardless of what happens, I'm interested in finding out. Even though I'm a Human, I'm still a monk. I also hope to learn a little bit more about the Order of the Whistling Fists and Brother Balatin.

[Zabjade]

Wistling fist want nothing to do with any of the PC orders Cusa, they are afraid of being Nerfbatted like we are.

[Cusashorn]

Zabjade wrote:

Wistling fist want nothing to do with any of the PC orders Cusa, they are afraid of being Nerfbatted like we are.

I know that, and I never said or implied that we would join them. The entire story wasn't explained though. Just because they said they dont want to get involved doesn't mean we arn't going to find Brother Balatin in the Dreadlands as he's always been ever since he died. There's always room to learn more.

[Zabjade]

Very true.  Knowing Vhalen we can at least hope to see some lore on the Swiftails...

[Sylaz]

Necro posting a bit, but you guys can get over it... I think with the whole Swifttails not liking Venril thing, a lot of people are forgetting that if it weren't for Venril, they wouldn't even exist. He was the one who commanded Tynn to go ahead to start up the Court of Pain along with the Swifttail caste. They may differ in their methods, but they seem to have the same goals in mind.Unless I'm horribly mistaken, it seemed that the Swifttails really wanted nothing more than to restore the Iksar to their former glory. Pretty much every Iksar wanted that. Even if they saw Venril as a traitor (which in my opinion is ONLY because he went to Innoruuk and not Cazic-Thule) they have to admire him for what he did in the past, and what he did throughout the EQ1 timeline. It seems to me, that if he has gained enough support to rise to power yet again, most Iksar would fall in line, unless he tried to change something radically, like having them worship Inny instead of Cazic.

[Cocytus]

I actually do sort of hope that the Swifttails are against, or at least not helping Venrils plots.

If you did the quest lines all the way through (as I did, all the way up through the Shackle of Tynnonium aka the last shackle), you came to find that the Swifttails began to focus heavily on the virtue of Peace of Mind and did not seem to really care to cause extreme pain and suffering as many of their iksar brethren might.

I would very much enjoy seeing the Swifttails just doing their own thing. I roleplay my iksar bruiser as a Swifttail monk (former, at least, since the Swifttail caste itself is in an unknown location), and he is in many ways similar to the Whistling Fist monks, and he holds to the three Swifttail virtues - which the Whistling Fists follow (though they would refer to them as general virtues, not Swifttail exclusive virtues).

In EQ1, the "cocky, indisciplined" aka "typical" type of iksar(s) that were in the Court of Pain were always the low-ranking ones that trained newbies. The higher you went in the rank progression, the less stuck-up cockiness you saw, and the more "Peace of Mind/Tranquility" you saw. For Grandmaster Rinmark, for example....You collected rocks for his rock garden.

I truly do not want to see the Swifttails move in the direction of bruisers in the sense of "I'm a street thug who beats people up", in regards to lore and style, though if that is literally the class they will be defined as, I'm fine with that. Kind of like how the Ashen Disciples are still technically "monks" by lore, but their literally defined class is bruiser.

I'd prefer to see the Swifttails continue on their sort of "doing their own thing" trend, as I really think any monk faction should do. I don't want to see them turn into thugs, or lose their original virtues and fall to corruption. The one Swifttail in Mara would be an example of something I don't want to see, as he actively goes against two of the virtues - Patience and Peace of Mind. The third is Agility....And there's no real way to test that

[Zabjade]

Hopefully he is low on the Monk Totem poll then. Unfortunatly I am not really seeing anything about the Swiftails, although with the inclusion of epics they might be a major faction for questing said epics.

Vhalen: please PLEASE keep the lore consistant, even if you have to beat the other developers over the head with a large Tuna!