Kerafyrm

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[edit] General Information

Kerafyrm, also known as The Sleeper, was the ultimate boss in the Scars of Velious expansion.

Originally intended to be unkillable, the character caused a stir in the EverQuest community when the developers of the game (Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) intervened and prevented a group of nearly 200 players from killing him, in November of 2003. SOE later apologized for interfering[1], and allowed the same group of players to retry the encounter. After a nearly three-hour battle, Kerafyrm was defeated.

[edit] Sleeper's Tomb

Kerafyrm is guarded by four ancient dragons in a zone called The Sleeper's Tomb. If all four dragons are dead at the same time, The Sleeper is awoken, and begins a rampage of death across Norrath. This event is particularly unique in EverQuest, because it can only ever be completed once on each game server. Once The Sleeper is triggered, he and his four guardian dragons (with their highly prized "Primal" loot) will never appear again.

The guild Blood of the Spider on The Rathe server was the first guild server-wide to kill Ventani (the fourth warder) on July 28, 2001, and therefore wake the sleeper. The event caused a stir on the server when Kerafyrm went into multiple zones, including Skyshrine, killing everyone and everything in his path.

[edit] Lineage

While it's known that the Sleeper is the child of two dragons of "opposing elements" it is unclear exactly who his parents were, or even what their elements were.

Many speculate that it was Lady Vox and Lord Nagafen, though each of them has official lore which precludes them from being Kerafyrm's parents. However, in Everquest 2, it was clearly their intention to create another prismatic dragon.

Another speculation is that Dozerkar the Cursed is Kerafyrm's father, but given the reaction to his birth and being named the "prophetic savior," it is unlikely that the father would be cursed in this manner.

[edit] The Sleeper Awakens

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The following is the list of servers that existed at the time along with the guild on each server who woke the sleeper (if known).

[edit] Death of the Sleeper

On November 15, 2003, on the Rallos Zek PvP server, the three top guilds (Ascending Dawn, Wudan, and Magus Imperialis Magicus) assembled over 180 players with the intent to wake and kill The Sleeper. After 3 hours and 15 minutes, at 26-27% health, Kerafyrm disappeared (despawned). The players talked with the Game Masters, and there was a general consensus that a bug had caused the problem, although some suggested (backed by statements from one GM) that higher-ups at SOE had purposely despawned Kerafyrm, because it was not intended to be part of the story.

Image:Gms_sleeper.jpg

The following day, the players logged in to find that Kerafyrm was back in his "sleeping" state, ready to be triggered again. All participants from the previous night were awarded 2 AA to make up for lost experience. There was also an apology on the official EverQuest forums from SOE, explaining that they had stopped the encounter because they feared the players were engaging the boss in an unintended manner. Although annoyed (the players pointed out that the reasons SOE gave could not have occurred, and felt lied to), they attempted to battle Kerafyrm once again.

On November 17, 2003, after a nearly 3-hour battle, Kerafyrm was defeated. The strategy used (as I have been lead to believe) was to forgo the old "Main Tank" method and simply have a truckload of clerics rezzing everyone who died who would then loot up, and rush in to die again. With such a strategy, many people suffered numerous deaths losing large portions of their level even after all their rezzes.

The sleeper hit for maximum of 6999, quadded, and PROC'd a 20k Deathtouch. In addition he had a 20k Targetted death touch, refresh time unknown, no known range limit (he got people numerous times who were sitting down somewhere). He resisted all spell attempts except Manaburn, and Harm touch. The fight was pure Range/Melee/Pets, and the Manaburn/Harmtouches when they recycled. He was also immune to dragon bane spells.

After the kill, Brenlo fired off the following systemwide message (typos and all):

Image:Systemwide_sleeper_kill.gif

On September 10, 2007, Rashere confirmed on the official Everquest forums that Kerafyrm was bugged at the time of his kill.[2] 

I can confirm the sleeper's regen one.  Whether by pure coincidence or great planning, the zek attack on 
the Sleeper took place after a patch that broke NPC regen, causing them to regen at a far lower rate than 
they would normally.  The sleeper's normal regen makes him essentially unkillable.

As of August 31, 2007, Al'Kabor (server) (Mac-based server) is the one and only official EverQuest server where Kerafyrm still is sleeping.

[edit] The Crusader

The following is in-game text from Jotreva the Crusader in Skyshrine

You say, 'Hail, Jortreva the Crusader'

Jortreva the Crusader lifts her wings in a graceful motion as she lowers her chin to eye Ironhand in greetings, 'I am Jortreva, Crusader of Veeshan. I am the ear to the whispers upon the shadows and the eyes to witness the tainted footsteps of our enemies that corrupt our path. Your kind, the second generation of the lesser gods' creation, have brought us into being as we are now -- for that, we hold neither gratitude nor contempt. It is your actions that have sent us spiraling through an umbra of immeasurable danger that could secure the destruction of all upon this world, but it shall be through the undying efforts of the [champions] that we may have some chance to ward this darkness back into the oblivion it strives to create.'

You say, 'What are champions?'

Jortreva the Crusader says 'We are four elemental dragons bred to be champions among our people -- within this world. We do not seek recognition or praise from either world -- yours or that of Veeshan's brood -- but we seek to protect and maintain the balance that keeps our worlds separate, yet unified upon the same plane of existence. When Kerafyrm was first placed into stasis by our predecessors, the elemental warders, the [council] ordered the arranged breeding of what would be the warders' replacements when the time came for their stations to ascend. However, the unpredicted actions of the second generation have thrown us into a new role -- the role of Crusaders.'

You say, 'What council?'

Jortreva the Crusader says 'When dragon kind was accompanied upon this world by the lesser god's intrusion, the council of elders was formed. Immediately our ancestors realized the need for our kind to be of sound unification if we were to prevail and remain the superior beings upon what is rightfully our world. As we watched the eras pass through both the second generation and our own cultures, the members of the council changed. Eventually, one known as Kildrukaun would be appointed Arch Priest of Veeshan through divine rite and ceremony -- a sacred part of our institution that I shall not divulge to one as yourself. His first decree would be to condemn the unification of souls between dragons whose elemental influences were of opposition. It was of his belief, and thus the belief of the council, that such a union was against Veeshan's will and would have dire consequences upon the entire dragon nation. Time would pass again before [fate] would descend upon Kildrukaun's decree.'

You say, 'What fate?'

Jortreva the Crusader says 'Two dragons of opposite elemental powers confronted the council with their desire to mate. Kildrukaun immediately dismissed any blessing and ordered the dragons from ever fulfilling their desires. These two were young still and very headstrong, regarding the council and its rules to be outdated when considering the growing influence and power of the second generation. They fled to unknown corners of Norrath and there, they bound their souls in a sacred union that would forge the first prismatic dragon. When knowledge of this event came to the council, Kildrukaun, a being of great wisdom and calm heart for regard of his own people looked upon the prismatic's creation as that of Veeshan's will, for conceivably unto him, only Veeshan herself could defy her great priest's rule. The council was in agreement and the hatchling, who would be named Kerafyrm, the Prophetic Savior, was allowed to continue existence under close watch that would be [governed by Kildrukaun himself].'

You say, 'How was it governed by Kildrukaun himself?'

Jortreva the Crusader says 'Although Kildrukaun was inspired and intrigued by Kerafyrm's existence, he was wary still for he had yet to be witness to the true intent of Veeshan's will. In this time, the dragon nation had split and were in opposing power -- the Ring of Scale whom fled their native Velious for Kunark, and the Claws of Veeshan, the original order and council of dragon kind. It was known that Kildrukaun was furious with the recent division and he strongly believed that it was Veeshan's will for the dragon nations to reunite once again, lest they become as weak and pitiful as the second generation. He viewed Kerafyrm to be the road that would guide the dragons to unification, although it was a unification that would be borne of an unknown purpose that Kerafyrm served. Kildrukaun never interacted with the young prismatic dragon, but served as the dictator behind his mentors. Eventually, Kerafyrm would rise to a power unseen within any dragon of his still fledgling age and Kildrukaun's [prophecy] would be born.'

You say, 'What Prophecy?'

Jortreva the Crusader says 'Kildrukaun was of the mind that Kerafyrm was meant to lead the dragon nation in a civil war -- the Claws of Veeshan invading the great mountain fortress known as Veeshan's Peak that the Ring of Scale had established. He was certain that his campaign would unify the dragons and this was nothing less than the will of Veeshan herself. The council dismissed Kildrukaun's prophecy, exclaiming that although they must find a way to bring the Ring of Scale back under the wing of the elder council, they could not wage a war and abandon the threat of Kael Drakkal. Kildrukaun was furious, although he did not confront the council directly. Over the passing centuries, he would sway three of the [council elders] to his side and would personally oversee Kerafyrm's final stages of growth. Eventually the time would come when the council would [recognize their mistake] in allowing Kerafyrm to exist and their order for his termination would be the greatest impact in their destiny.'

You say, 'How would the recognize their mistake?'

Jortreva the Crusader says 'Kerafyrm quickly ascended the ranks within the Claws of Veeshan and eventually became our most powerful general. He led several successful campaigns against the rising threat of the giants of Kael and his influence grew among the elders of the council. However, something dark grew within him -- his bite became venomous and his talon ruthless in its command over his troops and allies. Eventually, his dominion and influence was nothing short of a monstrous creature of pure malignant hatred and an unrivaled lust for destruction and chaos that the council had no other choice but to demand his destruction -- a rule that Kildrukaun was present to hear and deceitfully condone. Shortly thereafter, Kildrukaun and four council elders whom the arch priest had managed to sway with his charismatic diplomacy and sound argument of his prophecy flew to Kerafyrm's side, where the four of them made preparations for the inevitable [war] to come.'

You say, 'What war?'

Jortreva the Crusader says 'Although short lived, the war between Kerafyrm's legions and those of the Claws of Veeshan would be a near crippling blow to the survival of the elder dragon council upon Velious. Kerafyrm's legions were severely outnumbered by those of the elder council, but time and time again they displayed their awesome strength and power. Eventually, Kerafyrm was restrained and taken to what would be his place of indefinite slumber. The four traitorous elders fled Velious safely to unknown locations, where they would lay in wait until the time came that Kerafyrm would be released. After centuries of hiding, the Ancients have returned and they now have a near unbreakable hold upon the former tomb of their master, where again they lay in wait -- anticipating the arrival of their master and the time to execute the undoubtedly phenomenal plan that will [bring about the extinction of all great existence] upon Norrath if they are successful.'

You say, 'why will they bring about the extinction of all great existence?'

Jortreva the Crusader says 'Kildrukaun has always despised the second generation and has long sought your total demise. Kerafyrm undoubtedly seeks vengeance for the actions of the Claws of Veeshan against him and together, the arch priest and Kerafyrm will seek to reconstruct this world in their own mind's image of what it should be -- a world that belongs solely to Veeshan's children, reborn in Kildrukaun's ideals, and subservient to Kerafyrm. They are truly mad with hate and an untamable lust for destruction -- one that [we must extinguish] forever.'

[edit] Secrets of Faydwer

Main article: Kerafyrm (Secrets of Faydwer)

It has been announced that Kerafyrm will be returning in the expansion Secrets of Faydwer. It is unknown how the dragon will be reintroduced. However, one of the preliminary zone names is "Crystallos, Lair of the Awakened", which may be a reference to Kerafyrm's previous name of "The Sleeper".

[edit] References

  1. ↑ [http://web.archive.org/web/20031121164036/eqlive.station.sony.com/community/dev_view.jsp?id=59485 Developer's Corner post "The Sleeper 11-17-03"]
  2. ↑ EQ Forums post

[edit] External Links

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