The Serpent's Spine
From EQ KnowledgePit
| The Serpent's Spine | |
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| Release date(s) | September 17, 2006 |
Contents |
[edit] General Information
The Serpent's Spine was the twelfth expansion to EverQuest. Most notable is that the expansion raised the game's level cap to 75. It also added another list of AAs, under the Serpents tab.
[edit] Lore
With this expansion, Norrathians uncover the Serpent's Spine Mountains that were created when Solusek Ro scorched the Elddar Forest, turning into the great Desert of Ro. The mountain range is called the Serpent's Spine because the great river that flows through the center of it resembles a serpent, snaking its way through the mountains. The mountain range is home to a great number of dragons, undisturbed by Norrathians because of the centuries of isolation they survived.
[edit] Drakkin
Also added with The Serpent's Spine was another race; the Drakkin. The Drakkin are a race of Humans that also have Dragon blood running through their veins. For this reason, when a Drakkin character is created, the player chooses an element (Fire, Cold, Magic, etc); the character receives a bonus to resistance towards that element, and gets a tattoo of that element's respective color (e.g. red for fire). The Drakkin are notable for being one of only four races to be added to EverQuest since its original release (the other three being Iksar, Vah Shir, Frogloks); they were the first race to be added in nine expansions, or just short of five years. They are also notable for being one of only three races capable of being a Monk; the others being Human and Iksar.
[edit] Zones
[edit] Cities
Crescent Reach - a city ruled by dragons, and run by their firstborn, the Drakkin call this place home. Found within are vendors that sell rank 1 spells and disciplines for this expansion; levels 71 through 75.
[edit] Traditional Zones
[edit] Outdoor Zones
Blackfeather Roost - a lush mountainside forest full of all sorts of animal, from griffons to harpies.
Blightfire Moors - the entry zone to the Serpent's Spine Mountains, this foggy moor contains several Drakkin outposts, which they use to safely explore the mountain range.
Direwind Cliffs - these dark, smoky mountains near the northeastern peaks of the Serpent's Spine Mountains are home to both Gray Legion and Black Legion troops, and are full of corrupted local animals. Notable attractions in this zone are the two raid mobs; Wintersting the Black Oak, who drops loot comparable to Tacvi, and Pyre Lore Narseekin, who drops loot comparable to Anguish or Demi-Plane of Blood. Also notable is the entrance to Ashengate, Reliquary of the Scale, which is guarded by two massive stone sentries.
Goru`kar Mesa - a huge plain punctuated by a great mesa, this zone is where the expansion splits into two parts; the Frostcrypt (ice) side, to the northwest, and the Ashengate (fire) side, to the northeast. The Guild Hall portal can send players to this zone; Wizards and Druids can also teleport here.
Icefall Glacier - a great, snowy valley; this zone is home to a number of single-group named mobs, and is popular for players in their late 60s and early 70s to go for experience. The popular quest for Wraithguard Leadership faction, Icefall Ivory, takes place mostly within this zone.
The Steppes - this great grassland, punctuated by a handful of trees and caves, is mostly used as a way for players to get to the regions north of it, such as Icefall Glacier.
| The Serpent's Spine map |
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Stone Hive - this pretty zone, filled with all sorts of flora and fauna, is home to all the bixies of Norrath, as well as many mobile mushrooms, shrubs, all sorts of bizarre walking plant.
Sunderock Springs - this blazing hot desert, punctuated by a number of oases (for which it was named), is filled with all manner of desert-dwelling creature, such as huge rock golems. It is also home to some more out of place mobs, such as the great guardian (who uses the same model as Battlemaster Rhorious and Hatchet the Torturer) and his spirit wolf pet, who give out quests; there is also an ice dragon (like Rikkukin the Defender in appearance) who spawns near the zone line to Direwind Cliffs, in the northeast region of the zone. Also notable is the Vergalid Mines entrance.
Valdeholm - this great city of the ice giants contains one of the two factions that players must raise in order to progress through high-end raids in this expansion, Wraithguard Leadership. Completion of this faction allows players to request and complete the raids that are required to enter Frostcrypt instanced raids.
[edit] Dungeons
Ashengate, Reliquary of the Scale - one of the two end-game zones for this expansion, the non-instanced version of this zone is considered the best experience in the expansion; the experience per kill and mob difficulty is equal to that of Frostcrypt, but the mobs are spaced evenly and far enough to avoid social aggro, making it easy to pull.
Frostcrypt, Throne of the Shade King - this dark, icy crypt is found in the far northwestern corner of the Serpent's Spine Mountains, in a pit found Valdeholm. Found within the crypt are the ghosts of many long-deceased giants of Valdeholm. The living giants of Valdeholm are constantly at war with these ghosts; making sure they stay out of the city. One of the two end-game zones of this expansion, the non-instanced version of this zone contains many notable item drops, and some of the best experience in the game, provided your group can handle it.
Vergalid Mines - the non-instanced version of these deep crystal mines are home to all manner of creature, and are divided into several "tiers"; players must acquire a key from each tier, in order to progress into the next one.
[edit] Instanced Zones
Ashengate, Reliquary of the Scale - in addition to the non-instanced version being considered the best experience zone in the expansion, there are three instanced versions of this zone, used as one of the end-game zones for raiding players.
Frostcrypt, Throne of the Shade King - the instanced version of this zone is the other end-game zone for raiding players of the expansion. There are two instanced versions.
Valdeholm - several missions take place in the instanced version of this zone; one 24-person raid (Kill Kangur) and two 54-player raids (Speak with the King and Udengar the Traitor).
Vergalid Mines - the instanced version of this zone is home to two missions; one 24-person raid (Into the Leviathan's Lair) and one 54-person raid (Vergalid's End).
