- Noel Walling is the Design Supervisor on EverQuest II
- Paul Molina is a Game Designer on EverQuest II
- Adam Stevens is a Game Designer on EverQuest II
- Carlos Mora is an Associate Game Designer on EverQuest II
1. The nostalgia theme seems to follow through every EverQuestII expansion to date, and this is no different in TSO – is there a specific reason behind the EQ Live zones that were chosen to be remade for EQ2?
Noel Walling: We actually like a good mix of nostalgia and new. As they specifically relate to the storyline of the Shadow Odyssey, the zones are specifically chosen for their relation to the story of the Ethernauts and the unheralded efforts they put in during a previous age.
2. For those readers who never had the chance to play EQ Live, can you give a brief lore background on Miragul, and the three dungeons found within?
Paul Molina: Miragul is widely regarded as one of the most powerful magic-users who ever walked Norrath, having mastered many schools of magic, including the forbidden art of Necromancy. His is well known for his laboratory in Everfrost, where he conducted horrific experiments on hapless subjects, to further his own twisted knowledge. Although it is not currently known what Miragul's ultimate fate was, evidence of his influence – in everything from magical theory to historical events – continues to come to light as time goes on.
Paul Molina: Miragul's Phylactery, which was once the sacred artifact known as the Eternal Prism, is a reflection of his maddened mind and soul. Each part of the phylactery is journey through parts of Miragul's life and memories; everything with in them pure constructs of his own mind. It is for this reason that those who enter the Phylactery often feel something akin to a cold, oppressive stare – an unnamed hostility quietly demanding the unwelcome to leave forever.
3. Mistmoore played a fairly large role in Echoes of Faydwer and we see its return with three dungeons in TSO – Evernight Abbey, Mistmyr Manor, and Ravenscale Repository. Can you give readers a little of the lore behind these dungeons?
Adam Stevens: The League of Freethinkers, led by Marshal Ralem Christof, has made a frightening revelation beneath the hills of the Loping Plains. A massive structure, dubbed Mistmoore Citadel, has been discovered and the horrors found inside have caused the League to divert almost all their resources toward its exploration. Connected by a massive cylindrical chamber, each dungeon lies on top of one another in a massive underground tower. Players exploring these dungeons will learn more about Mayong Mistmoore's mysterious past as well as his complicated relationship Thexian royal family.
4. What level ranges are the new TSO dungeons aimed for?
Noel Walling: All of the dungeons are designed for level 80 characters, however, a good many of them scale down, so that players 50 and higher will all have quite a few new dungeons to experience.
5. How many new dungeons can be found in TSO?
Noel Walling: 20 group dungeons and four raid dungeons. To put it in perspective, Rise of Kunark introduced less than half the number of group dungeons as the Shadow Odyssey!
6. Was it difficult to design new content with the level cap remaining at its current 80, or does that make things easier to design?
Noel Walling: Six of one, half dozen of the other, really. Level cap changes don't really change the basic design of encounters or dungeons, but what they can do is spread out players so that it's harder to find others to enjoy the dungeons with.
7. Obviously aa have had a nice boost this expansion as it's one of the main ways to progress characters – are there plans in the future to expand this new system even more? (IE: More general aa such as the harvesting ones and mount speed + more each rank)
Noel Walling: Achievements have continually been expanded since we introduced them with Kingdom of Sky. We'll continue to support it and have new and interesting choices for players to make in determining the direction their character takes as time goes on.
8. Is there a particular concept or feature in this expansion that readers will be seeing for the first time that they haven't already seen in previous EQ2 expansions? If so, what is it?
Noel Walling: One thing we are introducing is the mission system. In the back of our minds we've always wanted a way to get people to want to group together to accomplish a goal. Loot is obviously one method, but it doesn't necessarily always reward all of the group's members for completing a dungeon. So this time around, everyone in a group will have missions, and these missions will award shards that can be used to purchase powerful new weapons, equipment, and perhaps even some fuzzy pets.
9. For someone just purchasing the new expansion, how would they go about getting to the new TSO content?
Noel Walling: Why what a great lead in for your next question! The excavation that's been going on in the Sinking Sands has everything to do with getting a functional airship to venture to the Moors of Ykesha.
10. Can you explain what D.I.R.T.Y stands for, and their involvement in this new expansion?
Carlos Mora: D.I.R.T.Y. stands for Dedicated Individuals Recovering Technology of Yesteryear. They are a team of researchers, tinkerers, and excavators whom roam the lands looking for long lost artifacts. They recently came across an interesting find in the sands of the Ro desert. This find not only would be the building blocks of travel into the Moors of Ykesha but possibly beyond to places once thought lost forever. None of them knew to what extent this discovery would reshape the shattered lands.
11. Two new deity are making their way through Norrath in TSO – can you explain who they are and a little background information about them for readers? Will they also have avatars for players to raid?
Carlos Mora: Rodcet Nife is the current God of Health. He deals with pretty much anything and everything health related from curing diseases to preventing plagues. He has a few who wish to see him de-throned such as Bertoxxulous, for obvious reasons, as well as Anashti Sul who was the former God of Health until a mishap of sorts forced her out of the position. You get to learn more about that story through a series of Deity quests in The Shadow Odyssey. Rodcet Nife will have an avatar and players will get to take part in a rather unique event for his avatar battle that might bring back some familiar faces from original EverQuest lore.
Paul Molina: Anashti Sul was once the Matron of Life, who watched over the mortals with earnest and zeal. However, in one of her attempts to end the suffering of the living, she unwittingly unleashed a horrific curse upon Norrath, and brought the undead into existence. Her fellow deities condemned her to non-existence for her deeds, and cast her into the Void. Now, Anashti Sul is returning to Norrath, emboldened by the failed attempt to destroy her, and determined to reassert her position among the Gods. Anashti Sul has an avatar players can fight in the Void Palace.
12. Approximately how many total quests are in TSO for players to explore? What levels do they range?
Noel Walling: Over four hundred quests (including missions), most of which start at 76+. That doesn't include collection quests, which would add on almost another 50 to that total. So quite a few!
13. It's been said that RoK focused on a lot of solo gameplay – does TSO follow this same path or does it delve more into group content? Does it have an equal amount of group and solo content would you say?
Noel Walling: This time around, we leaned a little more heavily towards group content. The Moors of Ykesha will offer quite a bit of solo content as well though. With twenty unique dungeons in the expansion, and each offering puzzles and unique boss encounters, there is a definite emphasis on group content. Combined with the mission system, this will really keep content fresh and interesting with different group dynamics.
14. What (whoever is answering these questions may answer) is one of your favorite aspects to this expansion – be it a specific encounter worked on, a quest, a npc etc. Answer is wide open.
Noel Walling: For me, definitely the dungeons. Our design team has really done a great job bringing these to life.
Carlos Mora: I would have to say the favorite thing in this expansion would definitely have to be Befallen. That place brings back so many memories from EverQuest and it brings the whole story of Gynok, with what happened to him and how Befallen came to be Befallen. What can I say, I am a lore junkie!
Paul Molina: The Greenmist quest, and the final event in Kor-sha. I really love the iksar backstory and lore, and it was fun to get to contribute to their mythology while writing the quest. I really enjoyed writing both, and I was really happy when the Kor-sha event got voice over! I am hoping that players enjoy the new lore, and find that it adds to the overall story of Norrath.
15. If you could summarize TSO in three words or less, what would you say about it?
Noel Walling: I only need one word! "Amazing."
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