First things first I’d like to jump on a bandwagon. I normally do not like to do things like that, but in this case I really do think it is warranted. I’m talking about a couple of interesting pieces, initiated by Average Joe and then picked up by Clockwork Gamer. Basically, they hit upon the fact that we grief SoE so much, but we tend to forget what the workers there have brought to us. I really cannot express how much I agree with them. How often do all of us go to work, spend 8 to 12 hours slaving away, stressed beyond belief because we have hit problem after problem? It’s not going to be any different for all those responsible for bringing us EQ2. They have families, lives, goals, dreams, and a working life. It is because of these hardworking folks that I can finish work and go home to my stress relief, the haven that they have created for us. Without them or ‘it’ would my life be any worse off? In the long run probably not. But it does remind me of something I was told by a blind teenager once, who had been blind his whole life. I asked him if it made him unhappy, depressed. To which I got the reply with a big grin “Why would it dude? I have no idea what I’m missing”. Now obviously no where near that on the ‘important’ scale, but the theory is the same. If I had never played an MMORPG, I of course would not miss it. But because the staff who work at SoE work so tirelessly and relentlessly to bring us the gaming nirvana that is EQ2, now I have tasted it, I wouldn’t ever want to give that up. And we have all those at SoE to thank. Clockwork Gamer got it right with the quote they used. I am sure we are all often appreciative of the game given to us, but without voicing that gratitude our appreciation is largely worthless. So shout it loud and proud, stop complaining about the downtime, bugs, things about the game you don’t like and assist us all in laying a HUGE amount of thanks to ALL the staff at SoE who work so hard to bring us this world where we can escape. THANK YOU.
Outside the Silent City
(from left) Sajia, Rissstan, Wifey Arasai, Sephreo, Ysabella and Buckleton (in elf form)
So, I jumped off the bandwagon just outside The Living Tombs. Mmmm, The Living Tombs. Even the name creates a little mystery. I can imagine sitting down on the couch with my 5 year old daughter and when asking her what we are watching, she replies “Scooby Doo and The Living Tombs”. Sounds exciting? If you have never been there (and I suspect a fairly large percentage have) then it doesn’t ever seem so busy as PoF, Clefts, Klak. But Living Tombs and the Silent City are all around the same level, and in some ways I feel create a much better atmosphere to get your ‘adventure’ on.
So my wife and a couple of friends were heading there and I haven’t been to Living Tombs for so long it was a chance I couldn’t miss. As most of the group were in their early 50’s i decided it would be best if Buckleton joined the fun. Sitting at 51st level for some time now it wouldn’t hurt to dust off his weapons and head off with the scent of adventure heady in his nose. Joining us were a few I already know (my wifes Arasai a 52 Warden, and Ysabella- a 52 Swashy -Dwendalyns alt, and Sajia a 52 Illusionist -Ddrows alt) and two others I had never grouped with before. It’s always a little touch and go when you get a few you don’t know joining a group who are experienced at playing together. You really never do know the quality of player you are going to adventuring with. Normally, unless it causes constant death I am not bothered either way…as long as the players seem nice. But with this group it looks like I was lucky enough to get the whole package. They were a lot of fun and not one of them were bad at their class. Jackpot! I love it when a plan comes together (OK stop it now..that isn’t a bandwagon..thats just plain plagurism-Ed). We had a 52 Shadowknight – Rissstan, and a 54 Coercer – Sephreo. Both Rissstan and Sephreo were admirable in their abilities and with Rissstans tanking and Sephs mezz fun they both proved more than their worth.
When we zoned in it was discussed what we should do as a few had never been to LT before, and those of us that had, hadn’t been here for a very long time. So I encouraged everyone to inspect Jinja the Monkey (who btw is probably the best behaved monkey I have ever met) and we all picked up the access quest for the Silent City, ‘Searching for the Silent City’. Now the last time I had done this quest was over a year and a half ago. It may even have been longer. But we all thought it was worth doing as we were all approaching the time when we could make good use of the Silent City. I am pretty sure you don’t actually have to do the access quest anymore to get in to the Silent City, but I am one for doing things the old fashioned way. I like the fact that that I have to work to gain entrance to a dungeon. That way, the first time I zone in, I can sigh with satisfaction of a job well done. It gives me a sense of progression beyond watching the exp bar.
The quest went fairly smoothly really. The basis of it is that we needed to find the right incantations from the Priestess’s in the Living Tombs. This of course means slaying them. There are three of them (Sul Priestess of the Fyr’Un – Ara Priestess of the Fyr’Un – Rin Priestess of the Fyr’Un) and each one can be found in a separate part of The Living Tombs. The four parts are Trade Court, Residence Court, Priestess Court and Statue Court. The three Priestesses can be spawned by completing the small ring events in each of the first three sections. The third ring event can be a pain in the arse, with having to move an urn about to get a PH to spawn before the Priestess will even show her face. Luck was on our side though and when we arrived in Priestess Court, she was already spawned and waiting to die….which was nice. The last section Statue Court, is where you utter the incantation the Priestess used. This turns the large statue in the middle of the area into a bridge to cross and hence get access from the Tombs in to The Silent City. Clicking on the entrance to SC completes the quest.
The biggest problem we had was me getting us lost. As I said, it had been quite a while since I had been there, but like any man I found it hard to admit I didn’t have a clue where I was going. The first Priestess went well (until my wife fell off the snakes head statue and we had to go get her and do it all again *grin*) and after venturing in to the tunnel to Residence Court I was kinda lost. All I could recall was that we had to climb a wall at some point. From that point on, I was thanking my lucky stars that I use the UI mod Fetish Nightfall. The clickable icons next to my mini quest updater put me straight through to the relevant page on the ‘guide’ websites (either EQ2i or Allakazham) so the downtime whilst I found out what the hell we were supposed to be doing was minimal. Even so, I have to thank everyone for their patience and also Rissstan for not just standing around while I checked, but for keeping the mobs and exp flowing nicely.
Perhaps the most memorable part of this quest is always the statue you have turn into a bridge to cross. It is always a gamble who is going to miss the jump (yes there is a small gap to traverse). This time it was myself and Sajia took the plunge. A quick consultation of the map on how to get back up to the bridge and we were off again. No worries on the second jump for myself. Sajia obviously decided that she needed another bath in the green goo as she took the plunge again! Oh how we laughed.
Thanks again to everyone who needs thanking..
All at SoE for bringing us this beautiful game. Wifey, Ysabella (Dwen, Diangelo etc), Sajia (Ddrow), Risstan and last but most definitely not least..Sephreo…all for a great night fondly remembered.
NOTE:- I have added the screenshots of the main Guildhouse at 5 Erolissi Lane, SQ. For more screenies of The Living Tombs please check out the Gallery (Adventure) page.
REVENANTS 