Shakeup in the Commonlands

by: Tony "RadarX" Jones

<!-- if (!document.phpAds_used) document.phpAds_used = ','; phpAds_random = new String (Math.random()); phpAds_random = phpAds_random.substring(2,11); document.write ("<" + "script language='JavaScript' type='text/javascript' src='"); document.write ("http://ads.tentonhammer.com/adjs.php?n=" + phpAds_random); document.write ("&amp;what=zone:25"); document.write ("&amp;exclude=" + document.phpAds_used); if (document.referrer) document.write ("&amp;referer=" + escape(document.referrer)); document.write ("'><" + "/script>"); //-->

Live Update #24 brought EverQuest 2 an abundance of changes, some loved and some loathed not to mention an entire new adventure pack.  We've all heard complaints, or spoken to friends about the Enchanter changes, the stun/mez reductions, and the new brokers.  Some of us have checked out the wonderful zones in The Fallen Dynasty and been amazed by the content they added like giant dwarf eating snake ladies. .  An important change, that almost seems to have been overlooked by most, is the revamp work done on the Commonlands and Nektulos Forest.   Kiara, given the choice of which to cover, of course demanded Nek Forest (she loves the owlbears), so logged in my level 14 Coercer to give Commonlands a try. 

My karma was good, because I was camped in Commonlands.  What do I look at first? I glanced at the patch notes, scoffed because I don't need no stinkin' patch notes, and ran in a random direction.  As I made my way west from the Freeport gates I came across a severed arm with a piece of tattered uniform.  Did it say "Orkin?"  As a shadow was cast over me, I wheeled around to meet one of the Commonlands new residents.  A beetle.  There is apparently a bug infestation now that no mere can of Raid can handle.  This thing was about the size of a bus, and it had friends.   Normally I'm ridiculed enough for playing a dwarf, now even as a Dark Elf I feel short. *sob*

To avoid being crushed, I decided it was time to move on to another area.   As I approached the central areas of the Commonlands I saw the dirt farmers walking around and...wait a minute is that?  There are actual fields!  They aren't farming dirt anymore!  I stood among the wheat looking plants for a moment admiring the farmers walking around.  Some actual farming animations would be cool, but no reason to be picky.

href="http://eq2.tentonhammer.com/modules.php?full=1&set_albumName=Weapons-Guide&id=EQ2_000561&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php"> src="http://eq2.tentonhammer.com/files/gallery/albums/Weapons-Guide/EQ2_000561.thumb.jpg"
style="margin: 5px; padding: 5px;" border="0">

No Mere Shoe

Will Crush this Bug

As I moved further east, the landscape changes were subtle.  I saw a lot more vegetation and the creatures were more diverse.  As I ran over the hill to the druid ring, I was amazed at the difference.  Gone was the dirty weed filled plain, that I circled 2,000 freaking times, for that stupid heritage quest lion that never popped. *shakes fist angrily*  In it's place was a lush green pasture, complete  with trees you'd find on any savannah.  The creatures around the druid ring had changed from the endless groups of elephants and lions to a smaller concentration of hyenas.  The best part?  Did I mention there weren't endless groups of lions to mask the named I need for the heritage quest?  He's so going down.

The last thing I wanted to check out before I went to kill a named lion, was the new quest line.  I made my way back to the west Freeport Gate, and sure enough someone is pacing around needing help.  I know this from the feather floating on top of their head.  Apparently, I am going to help them make some money by killing snakes.  Wow, so basically he's going to exploit my hard work?  Feh, the stuff I do for news.  There is a short line of quests with increasing rewards I was unable to finish, but it looks promising.

Overall, I was very impressed with the changes to the Commonlands.  They've made great aesthetic strides, added more quests, and changed up the creatures in the zone.  I can't find anything thing wrong with that at all. Now if you'll excuse me, I might not have mentioned it, but I have a lion to kill.  Repeatedly.