Holidays in Norrath

Everquest 2 Gets Festive

It's the most wondeful time of the year!  We learn the true meaning of credit card debt, sit in "mall traffic", and get that bargain bin PC game from aunt Edna because "she knows we love games."   I'll admit there are positive aspects also, like being able to watch "A Christmas Story" to my hearts content, and having tons and tons of food.

This holiday season SOE has provided us with some interesting content far exceeding the candles and nog we got last year.   They even gave a name to the festivities, and no it's not "Chrismahanukwanzakah", so turn off MTV for a second here.   I promise they'll rerun the Real World.

In this weeks "Producers Letter"  Scott Hartsman, Senior Producer of Everquest 2, gives us a little insight into the history of "Frostfell."  Apparently "Frostfell," comes during the coldest month of the year appropriately named "Deepice."   As any tradition goes, there are more descrepancies on the origin of Frostfell than the origin of that tuppaware conatiner in the back of your fridge.

The Origins of Frostfell

Some races, believe it began during the "Lost Ages"  when Innoruk rebelled against the other gods abandonment of mortals.  It's said he hid gifts secretly when he knew his followers would need them the most to give them an advantage over their enemies.   Other races, claim its origins come from Quellious coming in disguise and showing compassion to both believers and non-believers by providing equal treatment.   Both sides agree that it is a time of hope and faith for the future.

There are four days in the celebration of Frostfell.   Day one, is called Kinship Day.    Kinship day according to tradition is the day devoted to family and friends.   Apparently there is lots of hugging and love so it's your basic group therapy.   Day two, is Feasting Day.   Sounding a little more my speed personally, Feasting day is when everyone prepares wonderful meals such as "Vulrich casserole" and "Manticore suprise."  The third day is Gifting Day.  Unsuprisingly gifts are given to one another on this day   The elves I spoke with say they get sweaters every year (you'd think somebody would get them something cool).   The final day, is Frostfell Day.   A day of goodbyes and well wishes, there is usually a parade involved with Pokemon ballons that have blown away.   Alright thats just in my mind, but it'd be cool to see.

You'll notice a number of decorations around your hometowns but the main celebrations will be held in Qeynos Harbor for those of good alignment and East Freeport for those of evil alignment.   Festivities await everyone though!

Walking in a Frostfell Wonderland

Being the dedicated player I am I of course went straight to Test to keep abreast of all the changes going into place!  Ok, I had a character already there from 5 months ago that I haven't touched since then.  I took the bell over to Qeynos Harbor to be greeted by this scene.

"What's the big deal?" you're thinking.   So they got a few ginormous candy canes.   You'll notice to the left there is a little bucket.   Not just any bucket, a bucket of snowballs.   That's right!   Pick up a stack, put them in your charm slot, and you are ready to start pegging people.   I giggled for a few minutes as I pounded that guy who told me to "Try my luck fishing there!"    I don't care that you've been fishing there since you were a small boy so eat snow!

I made my way north to the courtyard where I expected to see whatever excitement I was to find in Qeynos Harbor.  I moved past piles of wrapped presents and snowmen which gave the town a festive feeling.   I have to admit I was quite suprised when I arrived and saw the following:

Absolutely amazingly decorated, and even having a star on top this tree was wonderful.  I approached the tree to find a number of presents and curious elves underneath it.  One of them was kind enough to share the history of Frostfell with me, and another was quite willing to sell me unique presents such as stockings and wrapped presents.     One elf  in particular will actually present you with a different gift each day of the festival.   The only thing that struck me as odd about this scene was, what had happened to the Clock of Ak'Anon?

Can't Have Holidays without Trouble

**Mild Spoiler Alert.  The following will outline part of the holiday quest.  I won't provide anything you won't see in your journal.**

Happily I made my way around the tree speaking to each elf in turn.  I collected some lovely gingersnap cookies, got a history lesson, and saw what was for sale.  I finally ended up at Pinchy Presentpeeler where things took a turn for the worse.

Pinchy told me a tragic story!  The Gigglegibber goblins have apparently kidnapped Lord Bowsprite, leader of the elves, leaving them with no one in charge!   The snowglobe reward was more than enough to make this cause noble so I proceeded to grill the nearest gambling goblin I can find.   After a thorough interrogation he finally gave up that Lord Bowsprite was being held in a secret underground lair beneath the Enchanted Land docks.  

Valiantly I made my way to the Enchanted Lands.  Struggling for air with my meager level 13 swimming skills I made my way to the Gigglegibber lair.   Much to my suprise there was no aggression from them(most likely they know what a frequent gambler I am and hate to lose me).  I made my way straight to the head cheese and demanded the immediate release of Lord Bowsprite.

Suprisingly, the King gave me no lip about releasing his prisoner (because I'd have gone gangster on him...or ran away screaming).  I of course expecting this type of logic from the Goblins waited as I heard what I needed to do.   Go ask for the key?  That sounds easy enough.   The key is in 4 parts and I need to assist all 4 people to get the pieces?  That sounds more like what I'm used to.

The tasks given to me were a variety of things from the interesting to the positively mundane.   One individual sent me back to town to buy stacks of coal so many times I wanted to slap him.   Fortunately you are provided with a bag allowing you to summon a goblin who will transport you  back.   The most interesting of the tasks involved some pots that lit up in a certain order.   You would have to repeat this order to proceed further.   It was kind of a "simon says" game that was really refreshing to see and impressed me.

I won't spoil anymore but freeing Lord Bowsprite was an interesting task requiring a little bit of time and much more interesting than doing that solo writ I know you are thinking about grabbing.

Overall, I have to say once again SOE has suprised me with the time and effort they put into this.   Snowball fights, presents, a quest, and tons of decorations are without doubt going to make this holiday season a fun one in Norrath.   I'll take the time personally to wish everyone a Happy Frostfell and hope you enjoy this season in Norrath as much as I have.