~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *~*Where to Hunt*~* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Level: Area/Mob: ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~ 1-3 'help newbieareas' has an excellent listing of places to start fighting in. 3-4 chess fans Sakai rice fields Kobolds Sargaul Bogs 5-9 Sargaul Bogs Chess pieces Fishing west of reef Astarian Sewers Ghasts (only with Flute of the Birds) 10-14 Sakai sewers Astarian sewers Fishing including reef Ghasts (only with Flute of the Birds or Pipes of the Rat) 15-20 Goblins Pvaultable eq mobs 20+ Field of nightmares Drow priestess Onis Orc foremen Stranger Fishing east of reef Drakes Elf Elders 25+ just about anything :) A Tour of the Realm - from the journals of Syd Galion - new information added by Velara Bashalde Let me start by saying this, we bards make our living through our art so its important to scout out every new city you come by in order to find a place that might allow you to make a little loose change to round off your monthly expenses. When I first set foot in the great kingdom of Astaria, I was overwhelmed by the smell. Coming from an elven village nestled in a peaceful forest (No, I'm not a tree hugging nature type), the smell of a largely human populated city is quite assaulting on the senses. Some say that since elves have a longer life span, they tend to be slower at accomplishing things, taking their time and enjoying life. Well, not me, the first thing I did was find a map of the city and scout out all the taverns and inns to try and land some work. Lets just say it didnt take much to convince them of my talent (I just let them know that I'd joined the local bard guild). Now performing in a crowded taverns only yields a little pocket change but makes up for it in the form of stories and legends. I spent countless hours listening to the stories that the patrons of the taverns told me. As a bard, I'm always drawn to go explore strange new lands (you never know when the inspiration for a good ballad might pop into your head). What follow is a brief description of the realm of Astaria seen through my eyes. Sakai I was in awe the second my feet touched its the soil on my way off the Jewel of the East. A wonderfully charming place, though its people have different customs than our western world, they welcomed me with open arms. The continent was a delight to explore. During one of my frequent chaotic walks, I ended up at the bottom of a mountain. After several long hours of hiking, I reached the summit. Sitting down to catch my breath, who should show up but a dragon! I cowered in fear and begged for my life. You should of seen it, the very weather would obey his command. He didn't even look at me and moved on. I came back on several occasions and struck a form of friendship with the giant Wyrm. Well if you ever decide to go to his mountain, do not be frightened. Ryu is very wise so I suggest listening to him, else he might just eat you. These are but a few of the impressions I had discovering new places. I can't vouch your experience will be the same as mine, but to know for sure you will have to find out on your own. Sunhillow Syd - I don't have much to say about this place. It gets very cold and it inhabitants seem edgy. The only good thing about this town is its trade route to a secluded elven outpost in the northlands. Velara - A huge volcano has erupted near the City of Sunhillow, just on the outskirts of one of Sunhillow's suburbs, Zanni. The people there have been taken captive by a Volcano god. There is also a Temple of Fire near the Volcano. It's very warm in this area now. As well, a new Concert spot, The Cynan Windsong Auditorium has recently been built on the south end of the city. The town jail is a very mysterious place and a strange forest lies in the northwest. Rimelands It had been a while since I last set foot in an elven village. This place was a very welcomed change. Though their dialect had little similarities with my own common elven, their shaman seemed more then happy to try and communicate with me. A few days later I was considered part of the tribe and they held a great feast. Though the place was covered in heavy snow, I swear by Xeraphena that I have never felt so warm in my life. I also met some dwarves and catfolk but lets just say I had more of a pull towards my own kind. Before I left, the storyteller gave my one of the masks he'd use to bring his stories to life. I pledged to defend their village from the corrupt influence of the so called modern world down south. Altheon Syd - When I heard a new continent had been found, I quickly charmed my way onto the first ship to set sail to this brand new world. I was disappointed, Orc village, run down temple of Artrimas and problems with the local militia. Well I did meet this tavern owner that fancied herself a bard, we exchanged stories and I learned that the roads to the main cities where inaccessible. I hope this problem is quickly resolved. Velara - There is a large bog in the centre of the continent. Large numbers of small annoying creatures live in this bog and a mysterious ruin is found inside here. Two large keeps exist to keep the orcs at bay. In Eastkeep, the local militia is looking for recruits. Westkeep is a warzone on the edge of a desert. One can take a caravan to visit the desert town of Sulthia. The orc town of Britlee is a prosperous town with many artisans working with foremen on armor and weapons. They seem to have a trade alliance with a giant anthill to the south of them. There are also several small towns scattered throughout the continent.