The real Xen'Drik

[Quanefel]

For the last few days or so after I thought about "IF" Turbine was to open DDO with a large, more expansive world by looking into what is Xen'Drik.Not just the one city of Stormreach of a few small areas with can get to now for quests but all of the continent.

To my suprise, Xen'Drik has alot to offer. Not just large areas for us to explore but there are other cities on Xen'Drik as well! Dar Qat and Zantashk are but a few of the inhabated, civilized cities on Xen'Drik. There are also many destroyed, older cities from Xen'Drik's past that is ripe for exploring. Not to mention the countless villages, outposts, hidden cities from the local population of Drow, Jungle Giants, Yuan-ti, and Scarrow.


I also noticed that the terrain is different from what we might be use to. Xen'drik and Stormreach itself is located right on the equater of Ebberron. The continent is mostly covered in thick jungle, high mountians, wide and dangerous rivers as well as the desert and a large area to its south that is covered in thick sheets of ice. So my question is, why are we not getting the monsters and terrain of these things? I noticed that most trees for example in DDO or from temperate regions. They are not fitting for a hot, jungle themed area. If most of the continent is thick, dangerous jungle then why not highlight that for the game? Let us feel and know we are in terrain we are really in?

Also, it bares to mention that the creatures are not as Xen'Drik themed as they could be. When I think of a jungle or equator region, I think of lots of critters. Animals, magical monsters that would be living in this situation. Giant centipedes, giant flys or swarms of insects, snakes and alot of them(Normal and giant), magical creatures that also are jungle/snake based like the Yuan-ti, tentacle spiders, Jungle Giants and many others that remind us exactly where we are, in a dark, thick and not very friendly jungle.

I am hoping by posting this I can get others to help me compile a list of cities, abandoned ruins, lists of Xen'Drik based creatures, and misc things like special terrains or magic/magic items based in Xen'Drik.


Maybe by doing this we can get more people interested in Xen'Drik, get some fresh ideas for Turbine to add to DDO at a later time and if someday DDO becomes a bigger, persisent world we at least put some effort into fleshing out Xen'Drik for that to happen. So please, add what information you can. Gather maps and pictures also if you can from where you can. Thanks to anyone willing to help and wanting to be see where we can take this.

P.S. If there are like 12 moons and a belt of asteroids surrounding Ebberron like the ring of Saturn, why do we only see 1-3 moons and no ring at all?

[Quanefel]

Dar Qat(Crystal Giant City controlled by Riedrans)*
Zantashk*(outpost mantained by House Tharashk)
Obsidian City
Mel-Aqat
Throne Gate Ruins
Pra'Xerik
Tharak'Gun Dhak
The Ash Cauldrons
The Bluespine Peaks
Dowron's Shield
Dread Lake
Fangs of Argarak
The Hydra
Kapaerian Island
Marsh of Desolation
Ring of Storms
The Scimitar Spires
Skyraker Claws
Sun Pillars
Tal Esk* (Riedran settlement)
Titan's Teeth
Valley of Shadows
The Wasting Plain
The Honeycomb Caverns





Inhabited Cities*

[Quanefel]

Yuan'ti
Jungle Giant
Animated Jungle Cats(And normal)
Dream Serpent
Snakes
Alchemy Beetles
Jungle Scarrow
Warforged Scorpians
Quorcraft Warforged
Primordial Giant
Primordial Warforged
Ssvaklors
Magebred Vipers
Swarm Pits(Trap)
Dinosaurs of every type
Ettins
Thri-kreen
Dolgrims
Hags
"Horrid" Creatures
Dolgaunt
Daelkyr
Tsucora Quori
Shifters
Changelings
Naga
Hydra
Crocodiles
Shambling Mound
Dire Animals
Ettercaps
Owlbear
Vine Horror
Athach
Assassin Vine
Aranea
Ankheg
Half-Giant

[Quanefel]

reserved*

[Quanefel]

The Travelers "Curse"
The Ring of Siberys circles Eberron above the equator, which crosses over Xen'drik
Eberron has 12 moons yet we only see a few in the night sky ever?

[Kalari]

without giving too much away if youve played on lama lately there has been landscape changes. Today ive noticed in tangleroot at least a big change to its look and feel, it looks a lot more untamed then it did before. Im liking it I havent really looked at Ataraxia's yet but if they are doing that with that area to the lush landscapes will be something new and old players may get a kick out of.

[bobbryan2]

Stormreach is right near the equator, to be sure.

But most of Xen'drik isn't. It's a large continent, and much of it is **** near arctic. Don't just focus on jungles.

[Borror0]

I wanted to link MT's Dar Qat expansion, but it seems to have been pruned.

EDIT Not only is Xen'drik big but Stormreach is also much bigger than what we can explore.

[Quanefel]

Stormreach is right near the equator, to be sure.

But most of Xen'drik isn't. It's a large continent, and much of it is **** near arctic. Don't just focus on jungles.

Look at the map of Xen'Drik. And I am not saying just for Turbine to focus on the jungle area but all of it. Although the jungle makes up a bigger chunk of Xen'Drik so it would not hurt for them to pull it back some to be more jungle themed for at least the jungle areas. Not temperate trees and creatures you'd find in those areas like we have now.


P.S. Actually Stormreach is located right on the equator line.

[Quanefel]

I wanted to link MT's Dar Qat expansion, but it seems to have been pruned.

EDIT Not only is Xen'drik big but Stormreach is also much bigger than what we can explore.

I tried to look for Dar Qat, I did find "some" information and a drawing of the city which....looks REALLY beautiful compared to Stormreach. Also, I know Xen'drik and Stormreach is bigger that what we can explore. It is a shame we are clustered and stuck in such a small area when there is a whole continent to explore.

Here is Dar Qat: http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Quanefel/DarQat.jpg

[goofydad]

You make a good point.

I honestly find there's a lack of diversity in the game beyond the desert and the twilight forge.

However I would like more influence of the Plane of Syrania in areas... air elementals are in, what, 2 quests? And storm giants are in maybe 6 quests. Perhaps it would be an idea for turbine to allow the players to travel to ALL of the different planes at some point.

I also agree with you about the creatures... we can only stand spiders, rats and bats for so long.

I think they should do a snowy mountain area...I mean
Korthos was a nice change for the 1-2 hours tops time you spend in it.

[Borror0]

I tried to look for Dar Qat, I did find "some" information and a drawing of the city which....looks REALLY beautiful compared to Stormreach. Also, I know Xen'drik and Stormreach is bigger that what we can explore. It is a shame we are clustered and stuck in such a small area when there is a whole continent to explore.
Well, I like the limited of 'running to the quest' in DDO. To me, that is a huge plus.

However, it would be cool to have other cities.

[goofydad]

Well, I like the limited of 'running to the quest' in DDO. To me, that is a huge plus.

However, it would be cool to have other cities.

Perhaps there could be a single part of stormreach devoted to traveling to other areas

[Quanefel]

Well, I like the limited of 'running to the quest' in DDO. To me, that is a huge plus.

However, it would be cool to have other cities.

I agree. Also, this Traveler's Curse that is part of Xen'Drik is why most travel is done by spells or Airships but that should not prevent us from being able to explore the continent by foot if we wish. An open area would not mean we have to walk to those quest areas, we still could get transported via spells or Airships but if we wanted to just explore to those quest areas, we could.

Now there are two cities I found, both are controlled by 2 different groups, both from the other continents. Dar Qat for instance does alot of trade with Stormreach and is not that far from Stormreach. Although they generally do not like others coming to their beautiful city, they still trade.

So in my mind, why not open up some of that city to us and make it favor based? Like make only a tiny part of it where we can visit within the city and have 75 and 150 favor to open up even more of the city, showing the owners they can trust us...somewhat but even so, keep 80% of the city off limits regardless. We will still be able to look up in wonder at the massive buildings and monuments that make up the city, even if we can not walk up and touch those things. A sense of awe.

Keep in mind though, if they open up Xen'Drik and the other cities/areas, Stormreach will be THE city, the center of everything for us. We start there, we live there and it will always be at the center of it all. The game will remain...Stormreach.

[Borror0]

Perhaps there could be a single part of stormreach devoted to traveling to other areas
Could you elaborate a little bit? I am not sure I understand.

[Borror0]

A sense of awe.
I think there is a lot to exploit from Stormreach to meet that feeling as well. Did you see the Marketplace on Llama?

It would make more sense to start with Stormreach, increase the city size (there is a lot we have yet to visit) and then add new cities.

[Quanefel]

I think there is a lot to exploit from Stormreach to meet that feeling as well. Did you see the Marketplace on Llama?

It would make more sense to start with Stormreach, increase the city size (there is a lot we have yet to visit) and then add new cities.

I know, we still have much in Stormreach to have opened up. Maybe a section just for guild houses to be made for instance, if we ever get housing. Now, even if they do not give us those new cities, what about the chance to go to them for a few quests, an NPC area on the outskirts we can pick up some new quests, explore and area around the city but at least have those massive, beautiful cities in the background not to far off to see from a distance?

Then maybe at some point they open up the gates to those cities, parts of them or all based on favor with those cities, in time?

And yes, I saw the new marketplace. It looks great and more in line with a tropical feel to Stormreach.

[Furbitor]

For the last few days or so after I thought about "IF" Turbine was to open DDO with a large, more expansive world by looking into what is Xen'Drik.Not just the one city of Stormreach of a few small areas with can get to now for quests but all of the continent. Me too!

To my suprise, Xen'Drik has alot to offer. Not just large areas for us to explore but there are other cities on Xen'Drik as well! Dar Qat and Zantashk are but a few of the inhabated, civilized cities on Xen'Drik. There are also many destroyed, older cities from Xen'Drik's past that is ripe for exploring. Not to mention the countless villages, outposts, hidden cities from the local population of Drow, Jungle Giants, Yuan-ti, and Scarrow. Exactly


I also noticed that the terrain is different from what we might be use to. Xen'drik and Stormreach itself is located right on the equater of Ebberron. The continent is mostly covered in thick jungle, high mountians, wide and dangerous rivers as well as the desert and a large area to its south that is covered in thick sheets of ice. So my question is, why are we not getting the monsters and terrain of these things? Because we dont have the amount of devolpers we should have to make these things.

I noticed that most trees for example in DDO or from temperate regions. They are not fitting for a hot, jungle themed area. If most of the continent is thick, dangerous jungle then why not highlight that for the game? Let us feel and know we are in terrain we are really in? why not indeed

Also, it bares to mention that the creatures are not as Xen'Drik themed as they could be. When I think of a jungle or equator region, I think of lots of critters. Animals, magical monsters that would be living in this situation. Giant centipedes, giant flys or swarms of insects, snakes and alot of them(Normal and giant), magical creatures that also are jungle/snake based like the Yuan-ti, tentacle spiders, Jungle Giants and many others that remind us exactly where we are, in a dark, thick and not very friendly jungle. A seperate group of devs should be working non-stop on many new creatures.

I am hoping by posting this I can get others to help me compile a list of cities, abandoned ruins, lists of Xen'Drik based creatures, and misc things like special terrains or magic/magic items based in Xen'Drik. Good point, however there are websites with list of all exisiting criteria on the continent of Xendrik. in fact, all of eberron too. These are vast amounts of lists and historys and stats already fleshed out. All they require is a mesh, skin, animation sequences to bring them to life. 100's of maps are free to whoever wants them to provide huge amounts of improvisation to the linear-quest.

Maybe by doing this we can get more people interested in Xen'Drik, get some fresh ideas for Turbine to add to DDO at a later time and if someday DDO becomes a bigger, persisent world we at least put some effort into fleshing out Xen'Drik for that to happen. So please, add what information you can. Gather maps and pictures also if you can from where you can. Thanks to anyone willing to help and wanting to be see where we can take this. I hope so too. I been posting (many) suggestions like these in the suggestions topic, Hoping to get some dev an idea. This post would be better served in the suggestions, as it moves much slower than the general DDO disscussion threads, and you have a greater chance of getting seen and heard.P.S. If there are like 12 moons and a belt of asteroids surrounding Ebberron like the ring of Saturn, why do we only see 1 moon and no ring at all?

Furbed in yellow! :)

[Quanefel]

Furbed in yellow! :)

Thanks but the reason I did not put this into Suggestions is that it would pretty much mean a death sentence for this thread. And this is more of gathering information for anyone out there. Believe it or not, there is not as much detailed information about Xen'drik, its cities, creatures, etc as I thought there would be. I also do not own any of the source books either. The reviews of those sources books all pretty said that even those sourcebooks were vague on many details about Xen'drik. So, I am hoping other players might help gather any information we can as a starting point so in time, make a suggestion thread with what we have gathered here. That makes sense?

[Furbitor]

Thanks but the reason I did not put this into Suggestions is that it would pretty much mean a death sentence for this thread. Amongst other many fine threads, too
And this is more of gathering information for anyone out there. Believe it or not, there is not as much detailed information about Xen'drik, its cities, creatures, etc as I thought there would be. I also do not own any of the source books either. I dont either, but I did fid quite abit without having to go purchase anything, and remember, the info I found available may not be fully fleshed out quest by any means, but list of races we don't have, classes we dont have, monsters we don't have locations we dont go to.
The reviews of those sources books all pretty said that even those sourcebooks were vague on many details about Xen'drik. I guess that depends on the critics point of view. Information our devs can use is out there... and if its a lore filled background on people places things and wonders then your right, it cant possibly compare to the decades old lore that has been gather of other settings.
So, I am hoping other players might help gather any information we can as a starting point so in time, make a suggestion thread with what we have gathered here. That makes sense?
Makes perfect sense. Wasn't trying to knock you down or limit the worthyness of your post in any way. I just wish we heard something from the producers or devs to tell us they arent finished with DDO as it stands and all future "content" is going to be refinements to the current gameplay.

But I wont hold my breath. We just gotts hope brother!


Furbed again! :)

[cardmj1]

Keep scrolling down for pics of Eberron

[jmelanie7]

I tried to look for Dar Qat, I did find "some" information and a drawing of the city which....looks REALLY beautiful compared to Stormreach. Also, I know Xen'drik and Stormreach is bigger that what we can explore. It is a shame we are clustered and stuck in such a small area when there is a whole continent to explore.

Here is Dar Qat: http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Quanefel/DarQat.jpg

The problem is Riedrans DO NOT want anyone but Riedrans in their city. Adventurers are not welcome there.


Although they generally do not like others coming to their beautiful city, they still trade.
Yes, they trade, but even merchants are not welcome in their city, their trading is made within Stormreach.

I'm all up for an expansion to other cities, but I think we would have to expand to another continent, Khorvaire maybe? Sharn would make an excellent city and could offer endless possibilities too, with a whole new continent to explore.

[moorewr]

For Eberron lore we really need yuan-ti and kalashtar (and half-elves, half-orcs, and gnomes) and the Inspired.

Dar Qat is a good candidate for a future module, and someday they have to do something where we finally visit Khorvaire and Sharn. That's a huge undertaking, though.. Sharn is described as a true metropolis.

[Quanefel]

Here are some pics from the variouse places around Xen'drik....

/snip

They are small, but I will work on enlarging them if you would like.

OoOooo where did you find that? Do you have a link I can look at each one individually and maybe enlarge for better veiwing?

[Furbitor]

Here is a wiki article on a ebberon setting for another atari game dragonshard...

Mythos
Main article: Eberron
Dragonshard takes place in the world of Eberron. In the creation myth of Eberron, the dragon Khyber warred with his sister Siberys and shattered her body to pieces. In his anger, Khyber's brother Eberron wrapped him in his coils, trapping Khyber. The bodies of the three dragons became the three parts of Eberron's world: the surface Eberron, the Ring of Siberys that encircles Eberron, and the underworld of Khyber. The three world parts produce dragonshards, crystal and rock fragments imbued with magic power.

The Heart of Siberys is the largest dragonshard in Eberron. When it fell from the Ring of Siberys to the continent of Xen'drik, it created a storm-swept mountain range known as the Ring of Storms and caused a city to sink to the earth. Its immense magical force caused the natural creatures of the Ring of Storm to evolve into the Lizardfolk. To this day, the Heart draws factions into conflict over control of its power.

In addition to the playable races, Eberron is populated by a number of neutral non-player factions and creatures, including the illithids, longtime foes of the Umbragen, a host of golems constructed by an extinct elven race, ettins, and thri-kreen.

Dragonshard is the first computer game set in the D&D campaign setting of Eberron. Eberron's creator Keith Baker wrote the storyline for Dragonshard. However, some discrepancies exist between the game and the canonical Eberron Campaign Setting. Siberys dragonshards should be gold in color, but they are blue in the game. Building new warforged is forbidden under the Treaty of Thronehold that ended the Last War — the only sources for new warforged are Merrix d'Cannith's illegal forge in Sharn and the Lord of Blades' forge in the Mournland. In the game, however, the Order faction can build Warforged Titans.


Order of the Flame
Main article: Religions of Eberron
The Order of the Flame is the military wing of the Church of the Silver Flame, an organization dedicated to banishing evil. The Order of the Flame is an alliance of cultures and traditions including humans, dwarves, halflings, and celestials. Led by the cleric Lady Marryn and guided by the dwarven shaman Amathor, the Order travels to the Ring of Storms to capture the Heart of Siberys and claim its magic power. The Order of the Flame can recruit Archons of the heaven, from mighty Warforged Titans to fierce Sorcerers and Deathless Guardians.


Umbragen
Main article: Drow (Dungeons & Dragons)#Drow in Eberron
The Umbragen are rumored to be the remnants of a race of elves that inhabited the ancient city Qalatesh. Qalatesh was destroyed and sank into Khyber after an apocalyptic shard storm, and some survivors fled into Khyber. To survive against the horrors of Khyber, these elves harnessed Khyber's dark energies and integrated them into their culture, becoming the Umbragen. Led by the evil Satros, their goal is to drain the Heart of its power and use it to unlock the secrets of the ruins of Qalatesh. The Umbragen has dark shadow creatures, including flying demons and knights of darkness.

Lizardfolk
Main article: Lizardfolk
The lizardfolk are the native inhabitants of the Ring of Storms. They are rumored to have been placed in the region by dragons to protect the Heart of Siberys. Over time, exposure to the energies of the Heart altered them and granted them sentience. They were united by the hero Darroc, who sacrificed his life to defend the Heart from Order of the Flame invaders. The lizardfolk have lived in peace for centuries since Darroc's death, but the Order and Umbragen incursions have forced them to take up arms again. Lizardfolk focus on brute force, with units such as giant turtles and dragons.


Just some more....

Furb

[Borror0]

Talking about wiki, not sure if you found it but there is the Eberron wiki (http://eberron.wikia.com/wiki/Eberron_Wiki).

[Furbitor]

RACES OF EBERRON



“Race” in fantasy D&D does not mean the same as it does in real life. In a world populated with elves, orcs, trolls, and living constructs of wood and metal, no one cares about the color of your skin or slight differences in facial features. In D&D, the term “race” refers to the different kinds of humanoid creatures that players may choose from when creating a new character.



Common Races

Humans – By far the most common of the races, humans are diverse in appearance and ability.
Elves – The distant descendants of ancient fey who once were slaves of a mighty empire of giants. Elves can be found throughout the societies of Khorvaire, but native cultures focus on ancestor worship- to the point that some use magic to preserve the most worthy of their ancestors’ lives indefinitely.
Dwarves – the dwarves of Eberron live primarily in Khorvaire, where they have recently reclaimed the independence of their homeland. The various dwarf clans control vast mercantile and mineral wealth, and do business throughout Khorvaire.
Halflings – Halflings are short humanoids almost as diverse as humans. The only halfling “nation” consists of the nomadic lizard-riding tribes which roam the Talenta Plains. However, many halflings have left the plains to fully integrate into human society.


Uncommon Races

Dragonborn – This race of draconic humanoids no longer has a nation to call its own and are forbidden from returning to their ancestral homeland in Argonessen. Instead, the dragonborn live in clans which migrate from city to ctiy, throughout Khorvaire, never feeling quite at home anywhere.
Gnomes – Gnomes are short, earth-loving people with an affinity for illusions who live in the south of Khorvaire. The gnomes love of wordsmanship and lore has put many of them in the center of information control and magical research throughout Khorvaire.
Goblins – These descendants of the once mighty Empire of Dhakaan have once again formed their own nation - Darguun. However, they are seldom found outside of their new home, and then rarely outside of the largest cities or in a mercenary company. The largest group of goblins outside of Darguun is a community of former mercenaries and their families who live in the poorer districts of Sharn.
Tieflings – Legend has it that tieflings are descended from ancient humans who were cursed for tapping into the powers of the Dragon Below. Those who know the truth of this legend are long since dead, but that does not stop parents from pointing to the tieflings’ devilish features when teaching their young to avoid the forces of darkness.
Eladrin – The eladrin are the distant cousins of the elves, descended from the same fey people. Unlike the elves, the eladrin never migrated from Thelannis, home of the fey. However, regular contact between Thelannis and Eberron brings traders and travelers from the ancient Feywild cities of the eladrin, bringing more members of this race into cities across Khorvaire.
Shifters – Also known as the “weretouched”, shifters are a race of quasi-lycanthropes. They each possess the ability to assume traits of their werebeast ancestors to gain animal-like strength, speed, or senses.
Changelings - Changelings are dopplegangers who lack a society of their own. They live among the other races, often disguising their true natures- at least to avoid prejudice, if not to take advantage of the unsuspecting.
Warforged – Created during the Last War to serve as replacement soldiers, an unexpected side-effect of their arcane creation led to the warforged actually having sentience. Although some still debate whether warforged “live” in the spiritual sense, none doubt that warforged are free-willed and possess feelings and sensations of their own.
Genasi – During the war with the Daelkyr, some Daelkyr lords used Eberron’s connections with the planes of Fernia, Risia, the nature realm of Lamannia, and the Elemental Chaos itself to twist and warp the landscape. While most people in those maelstroms died, some humanoids were changed into what are now the elementally-charged genasi tribes.


Rare Races

Kalashtar – Centuries ago, spirits from Dal Quor, the Plane of Dreams, fled from a terrible holocaust. Unable to find sanctuary in their home dimension, they reached out across the universe and found human hosts willing to provide the desperate spirits shelter within their own souls. Each of these “kalashtar” was physically human, but spiritually was a hybrid of a single human soul and a shared quori spirit. Today, the kalashtar consist of humanesque families who each share their human bodies with a fragment of the shared quori spirit.
Kobolds – The shifty and lizardlike kobolds claim to have one been a part of a mighty dragon empire that was abandoned long ago. Since then, communities of kobolds have eked out an existence in hills, forests, and caves far away from other races.
Orcs – Orcs are an incredibly violent, but oddly spiritual people. The oldest orc tribes claim to have the longest uninterrupted legacies of druids and worshipers of the Dragon Below than any other people.
Shadar-Kai – Shadar-Kai are descendants of ancient Sarlonans who, when fleeing the Inspired, passed inadvertently into Mabar, the Endless Night. After millenia of isolation, they have become absorbed the darkness of that place and become a distinct people. Like the eladrin, regular contact between Mabar and Eberron allows their more adventuresome people to wander into Khorvaire.
Gnolls – The hyena-like gnolls never established roots anywhere, and no one knows where their people originated. However, they have become one of the most important forces for stability in the monstrous nation of Droaam. Today, former Last War mercenaries who never returned home as well as young adventurers find themselves in the wider world of Eberron.
Minotaur – The minotaur people have long been cursed by the taint of an ancient demonic force. However, some few clans have escaped that curse and live in Droaam or abroad.


For more information, check out the Eberron Campaign Setting or the Player’s Guide to Eberron


furb :)

[cardmj1]

OoOooo where did you find that? Do you have a link I can look at each one individually and maybe enlarge for better veiwing?

Argonnessen Orrery
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp154/Mystincloud/ArgonnessenOrrery-1.jpg
Dragonhawk Rider Over Aundair
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp154/Mystincloud/DragonhawkRiderOverAundair-1.jpg
Dreambinder Monuments
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp154/Mystincloud/DreambinderMonumentsofthe-1.jpg
Horrid Ape
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp154/Mystincloud/HorridApe-1.jpg
House Sivis in Zil argo
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp154/Mystincloud/HouseSivisinZilargo-1.jpg
Karnnath
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp154/Mystincloud/Karnnath-1.jpg
Orc Lair in Shadow Marshes
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp154/Mystincloud/OrcLairinShadowMarshes.jpg
Q’barra
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp154/Mystincloud/Qbarra.jpg
The City of the Dead in Aerenal
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp154/Mystincloud/TheCityoftheDeadinAerenal-1.jpg
The Eldeen Reaches
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp154/Mystincloud/TheEldeenReaches-1.jpg
The Lightning Rail
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp154/Mystincloud/TheLightningRail-1.jpg
The Shattered Bridge
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp154/Mystincloud/TheShatteredBridge-1.jpg
The Silver Flame Temple in Thrane
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp154/Mystincloud/TheSilverFlameTempleinThrane-1.jpg
The Talenta Plains
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp154/Mystincloud/TheTalentaPlains-1.jpg
Train City of Breland
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp154/Mystincloud/TrainCityofBreland-1.jpg
Welcome to Sharn
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp154/Mystincloud/WelcometoSharn-1.jpg
Xendrik Ruins
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp154/Mystincloud/XendrikRuins.jpg

[Quanefel]

Great pictures Raincloud. :)

[Dyer]

Why do you guys go look so far when you could search for in our compendium to MysticTheurge guide to Eberron, written specially for the DDO crowd? You can find all about it here (http://compendium.ddo.com/wiki/Category:Ask_a_Loremaster). There's some discussion about races, religion, places, etc.

But to get back on topic, sure, it would be nice to get more locations representative of Xen'Drik, but many places, sadly, are forgotten, even if included. How many of us really took the time to enjoy the scenery on the way to the dreaded quest to protect the "venerated"? And how about the various dwellings in the desert, or the ruins of Threnal? Sure, there could be more, but I believe that when you want to search for some of the Eberron lore, you still can find some in the various quests. It would be nice, though, if they could improve those areas and add a few more quests for us to visit...

[Furbitor]

Why do you guys go look so far when you could search for in our compendium to MysticTheurge guide to Eberron, written specially for the DDO crowd? You can find all about it here (http://compendium.ddo.com/wiki/Category:Ask_a_Loremaster). There's some discussion about races, religion, places, etc. Because despite what it may say there, we do not see it in HERE... in the game of DDO.

But to get back on topic, sure, it would be nice to get more locations representative of Xen'Drik, but many places, sadly, are forgotten, even if included. How many of us really took the time to enjoy the scenery on the way to the dreaded quest to protect the "venerated"? And how about the various dwellings in the desert, or the ruins of Threnal? Sure, there could be more, but I believe that when you want to search for some of the Eberron lore, you still can find some in the various quests. It would be nice, though, if they could improve those areas and give us more places to visit... Yes. your starting to get our point. there is storyline (lore) already in many areas. And those areas are vasty unpopulated with few things to do.
hence why people are wondering why cant some new content that doesnt need a full background, plane of exisitance, or new spells show up in some of the areas we already have... maybe with neat mini storys and novel ideas.





furbed in yellow

[Quanefel]

Why do you guys go look so far when you could search for in our compendium to MysticTheurge guide to Eberron, written specially for the DDO crowd? You can find all about it here (http://compendium.ddo.com/wiki/Category:Ask_a_Loremaster). There's some discussion about races, religion, places, etc.

But to get back on topic, sure, it would be nice to get more locations representative of Xen'Drik, but many places, sadly, are forgotten, even if included. How many of us really took the time to enjoy the scenery on the way to the dreaded quest to protect the "venerated"? And how about the various dwellings in the desert, or the ruins of Threnal? Sure, there could be more, but I believe that when you want to search for some of the Eberron lore, you still can find some in the various quests. It would be nice, though, if they could improve those areas and add a few more quests for us to visit...


The DDOwiki has some of the information but not all that I am looking for. This thread is to gather more information than we currently have, hoping to give the Dev's some ideas and maybe help DDO expand outward some. Expanding toward the other cities, bringing the native creatures more into focus, placing more Xen'drik based magic and magical items into the game and maybe expose more of those ruins, momuments and areas listed on the Xen'drik maps I am finding that sadly are not even brought up anywhere in game.

For instance was the Reidren city of Dal Qar, even though they do not like outsiders in their city they still trade with Stormreach. The city itself might be off limits but not the area around it for trading or questing purposes. The city could very well be a backdrop for now or think of it this way. Look at how the Twelve was handled? From the start of the game we could go to the area to see the Twelve compound but it was gated up. They could do that to Dal Qar, give us quests or even a raid based around that area for the Riedrens who after earning so much favor give us a chance for a closer look at Dal Qar, even if it is only a small area on the outskirts of the city. Maybe introduce Pysionics this way, from the training by the people from Dal Qar at some point in the future?

How many people enjoy the scenery? I for one do but it is getting stagnant...same old places, same old monsters, same old NPC's. Even if they never allow us to make certian races or classes, they could make NPC's of those they changed their mind about so we have them in game. Now areas, there is alot of scenery they have and alot they could put in that would nice touches to the game. Them revamping the market is a step in the right direction, giving Stormreach that jungle type feel to it that is fitting.

I also think that with all the slayer areas, that maybe someday in the future they could start pulling them together where it makes sense. Connecting them to be more streamlined and pull the game to one big persistant world. Someday. We will still have airships, haste, teleport and greater teleport so we wouldn't "have" to travel by foot if we did not want to. But by making it one big open world than it is now it gives us more variety that will help pull in people out there who like these sort of things much like WoW and LOTRO. We will still have quests easy to get to like we do now, just other options than JUST questing. Something for everyone.

[Arnya]

Stormreach is right near the equator, to be sure.

But most of Xen'drik isn't. It's a large continent, and much of it is **** near arctic. Don't just focus on jungles.

LOL Antarctic please, it is the southern hemisphere

...**** northern hemishperians I dunno ;)

[captain1z]

Interesting stuff here...........

I just ended a 4.0 campaign because the rules didnt gel with the group after a while and we wanted to go back to 3.5 ish.

Having run a number of worlds b4 the group is kinda used to everthing so I was toying with bringing an anime feel to the game ................ but Eberron looks interesting. I may need to pick up the setting and check it out. I like the pic of the train, I had a train in our Oriental adventures campaign and that pic reminded me of it.

It was called the emperors dragon and train and the tracks were called emperors road.

I think the dinosaurs, warforged and dragonmarks will bring some much needed variety to the group of D&D vets I play with.

Many thnx

[cardmj1]

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/new/clear_new.gif
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/new/new_bar.jpg


http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/new/clear_new.gif
Eberron is the latest setting designed for the D&D game, but it's no simple backdrop to cookie-cutter adventures. The land of Eberron challenges players and DMs to excel in ways that bring the game to startling levels of excitement.



Eberron was created by Keith Baker and developed by Bill Slavicsek and James Wyatt in a new way to address a new breed of roleplayer.


Eberron is Intrigue and Mystery
The world of Eberron is ravaged by centuries of war that have only recently ended. Enemy nations that fought each other to a standstill over countless, bloody battlefields now turn to subtler methods of conflict. The assassin's dagger replaces the warrior's sword, and the conspirator's whisper speaks more loudly than the general's bellow.
While nations scheme and merchants bicker, priceless secrets from the past lie buried and lost in the devastation, waiting to be tracked down by intrepid scholars and rediscovered by audacious adventurers.


Eberron is Ancient, Widespread Magic
Magic pervades the world of Eberron. It creates wonders of engineering and architecture that rival the boldest dreamscapes. Magic transforms life into bizarre shapes and creates artifacts in intricate patterns for purposes that are lost in time.
It also leaves its mark -- the coveted Dragonmark -- on members of a gifted aristocracy. Some use their gifts to rule wisely and well, but too many rule with ruthless greed, seeking only to expand their own dominance.


Eberron is Swashbuckling Adventure
The heroes of Eberron are bold champions. Cinematic action and dark legends fill their quests with danger and excitement while careening from one heart-pounding thrill to the next. Eberron is no place for the meek or hesitant. Courage, strength, and quick thinking are needed to survive and prosper in this land of peril and high adventure.
Eberron is Attitude


The heroes of Eberron come in every size and shape. They are set apart by boldness and a drive to succeed. Power in Eberron comes in many forms beyond swords and spells. Money and influence are as mighty as armies. In a world teetering on an upturned blade separating war and peace, anyone can become great who possesses the strength and courage to walk that knife's edge.

[goofydad]

Could you elaborate a little bit? I am not sure I understand.

Somewhat like what they're doing with planescallers. Consolidating travel to other areas.
What I was suggesting is that there be naybe an airship in the market that you can pay for to go to other places, I know there is an airship there but travel seems too limited. Or maybe they could add a shop with no UMD requirement teleport scrolls (place specific) so people would get around easier.

Unrelatedly does anyone know why there is no House Sivis or House Orien in stormreach?

[cardmj1]

I just read through the campaign book and the devs have accurately presented Stormreach from the campaign. In fact, they used the real map to recreate it. It is missing a few notable places like the Tents of Rushme, Mollou's Distillery, and Black Iron. But the enclaves are as it appears in the book.

Here is a little Leadership history of Stormreach from the book....

On the ruined site of a giant metropolis, the city was established centuries ago by pirates and smugglers as a place to rest and resupply while preying on Riedran shipping or expeditions from Khorvaire. Over time, those expeditions became more frequent. Scholars sought to delve deeper into the history of the shattered land, while the dragon marked houses realized the tremendous profits that could be recovered there. In 800 YK, the houses petitioned the King of Galifar to end pirate activity in the region, and by 802 YK, naval action had shut the smugglers’ operations down. Ironically, however, it was the pirate chieftains who wound up retaining power as the area’s new rulers. The chief smugglers became the first Coin Lords and the city of Stormreach was born.

Stormreach is a chaotic place at best – a frontier enclave- acknowledged by the Five Nations but beholden to no king. The lords of the city hold their positions through wealth, power, and tradition, but law is a secondary concern to trade. Should anyone become a serious threat to business, the Stormreach Guard responds with mercenaries or assassins as necessary. Brawls, duels, arguments between individuals, and petty theft rarely concern the Guard, however. Stormreach is a dangerous town for people handicapped by morality and an excellent place for criminals to hide from the justice of the Five Nations.

Although the Storm Lords (aka Coin Lords) are the nominal governors of the city, the dragon marked barons wield considerable power. All the dragon marked houses have agents and enclaves in Stormreach, but House Lyrandar, House Kundarak, House Deneith, and House Tharashk have deep roots in the city, and the Storm Lords go to great lengths to accommodate them. An outpost of the Twelve stands at the edge of the city, and the emissaries of the houses often meet in this neutral citadel to discuss business and settle disputes.

Riedra, Aundair, Breland, Karrnath, Thrane and Aerenal all maintain consulates in Stormreach, but their relationship with the Storm Lords is based purely on profit. Stormreach remained neutral throughout the Last War.

[moorewr]

They wrote the Stormreach book based on DDO's stormreach - I listened to a rather caustic Keith Baker interview a while back where he pointed out things in our Stormreach that didn't fit his vision (the giant tent, the catacombs, the lighthouse with no way to access the upper levels..)

[cardmj1]

They wrote the Stormreach book based on DDO's stormreach - I listened to a rather caustic Keith Baker interview a while back where he pointed out things in our Stormreach that didn't fit his vision (the giant tent, the catacombs, the lighthouse with no way to access the upper levels..)

Can you find that interview? I would love to hear it.

[moorewr]

Can you find that interview? I would love to hear it.

DDOcast Episode #52:
http://www.cyberears.com/cybrss/2399.mp3

[Borror0]

Somewhat like what they're doing with planescallers. Consolidating travel to other areas.
I would not say a single place but, yeah, travelling should be based on quick teleportation.

[Tolero]

I thought this might be of interest to you in line with your interest with "where things are in Xen'drik". One of the changes made in Mod 9 is when you zoom out with your map, you can see a little better the relationship of where different areas are in relation to Stormreach. i.e. there's a marker for Tangleroot, a marker for Gianthold, and so on and so forth. As you can see, Xen'drik has a lot of ground left to be covered still! ^^

[Lerincho]

I thought this might be of interest to you in line with your interest with "where things are in Xen'drik". One of the changes made in Mod 9 is when you zoom out with your map, you can see a little better the relationship of where different areas are in relation to Stormreach. i.e. there's a marker for Tangleroot, a marker for Gianthold, and so on and so forth. As you can see, Xen'drik has a lot of ground left to be covered still! ^^

does it give the bright yellow x saying " you are here" and cross list all the department stores by category?


what do you mean wrong map?

[cardmj1]

I thought this might be of interest to you in line with your interest with "where things are in Xen'drik". One of the changes made in Mod 9 is when you zoom out with your map, you can see a little better the relationship of where different areas are in relation to Stormreach. i.e. there's a marker for Tangleroot, a marker for Gianthold, and so on and so forth. As you can see, Xen'drik has a lot of ground left to be covered still! ^^

nice, ty

[barecm]

There is a real Xen'drik? I feel stupid since I thought it was a fantasy land...

[cardmj1]

DDOcast Episode #52:
http://www.cyberears.com/cybrss/2399.mp3

I listened to interview and thank you. The books I am reading right now though were created before DDO. The Secrets of Xen'drik and the Eberron campaign settings. I would really like to travel to Khorvaire but to be honest, it would not translate well at all into an MMO. It has a lot of cloak and dagger stuff.

[binnsr]

I listened to interview and thank you. The books I am reading right now though were created before DDO. The Secrets of Xen'drik and the Eberron campaign settings. I would really like to travel to Khorvaire but to be honest, it would not translate well at all into an MMO. It has a lot of cloak and dagger stuff.

That's symptomatic of the series you read rather than the continent itself -- and there's plenty of cloak-n-dagger and distrust going on around StormReach as it is .. none of the houses really trust each other (what do you think House P is up to anyway? :)), the Silver Flame is still trying to eradicate any who aren't like them - physically and religiously .. the list goes on :)

It would be pretty easy (relatively speaking) to write quest lines on Korvairre that invoke a feeling of deception - we already see that with Gwylans Stand where you are hired by House Phiarlan (by a Member of the House even!) to sabotage a House Thuranni expedition (for those who never read the story, you're poisoning their foodstores so they'll have to abort the exploration - giving House P a chance to clean up)

[moorewr]

That's symptomatic of the series you read rather than the continent itself -- and there's plenty of cloak-n-dagger and distrust going on around StormReach as it is .. none of the houses really trust each other (what do you think House P is up to anyway? :)), the Silver Flame is still trying to eradicate any who aren't like them - physically and religiously .. the list goes on :)

It would be pretty easy (relatively speaking) to write quest lines on Korvairre that invoke a feeling of deception - we already see that with Gwylans Stand where you are hired by House Phiarlan (by a Member of the House even!) to sabotage a House Thuranni expedition (for those who never read the story, you're poisoning their foodstores so they'll have to abort the exploration - giving House P a chance to clean up)

I could see a number of plots that could take across the Thunder Sea - be a nice change to have stories happen in my civilized settings.. and of course Khorvaire is as varied as a continent should be. Just the Lords of Dust or the Silver Flame could fill modules with quests.

I'd love to visit the Flame itself - DDO's animations & audio could really do it justice.

Sharn is a huge undertaking - bigger by far than Stormreach - it is probably not worth undertaking. That said we could have it as a backdrop, or enter one limited corner of it in a quest chain. That they should do since the city of towers is such a signature of Eberron.

[Borror0]

Sharn is a huge undertaking - bigger by far than Stormreach - it is probably not worth undertaking.
If they ever to let us go to Sharn, it would be through a paid expansion - to fund for the additional cost.

Even there, a huge portion would be locked from us for X story line reason and we would probably gain access to it in upcoming modules.

[Quanefel]

I thought this might be of interest to you in line with your interest with "where things are in Xen'drik". One of the changes made in Mod 9 is when you zoom out with your map, you can see a little better the relationship of where different areas are in relation to Stormreach. i.e. there's a marker for Tangleroot, a marker for Gianthold, and so on and so forth. As you can see, Xen'drik has a lot of ground left to be covered still! ^^

Thanks Tolero. I did notice it now and it is a step up from the old Xen'Drik map on the servers now. I do hope the Dev's in time work on the map further to flesh it out and maybe put some of the known landmarks on other canon maps by WoTc like the ones I listed on the first page of this thread.

[Taelan]

If they would ever expand DDO across the Thunder Sea to Sharn and Khorvaire, that is one expansion that I would absolutely pay for in order to expand my gaming experience in the DDO universe. After all, Sharn is even larger than Stormreach. Each district is as large as Stormreach, which opens up twenty times as much city-based adventure areas as is in Stormreach. And there is just as much going on in the city of Sharn, the flagship city of the Eberron setting. With the release of 4th edition D&D from TSR, Eberron has been placed on the back-burner by TSR leaving the entire setting open for development by an enterprising company.

This is one setting that I have enjoyed quite a bit and would love to see even more done with, hopefully in DDO. Develop a paid expansion covering Sharn and adding a couple of races; Shifters, Changelings, Gnomes, & Kalashtar. As well as some new classes; Artificer, Psychic Warriors, Soulknives, Psions, & Wilders.

Added to the, hopefully, existing races of Humans, Dwarves, Elves, Halflings, Warforged, Drow, HALF-ORCS, and HALF-ELVES. Plus the existing classes of Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, DRUID, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, and Wizard. This would complete the Ebberon setting and make the game even better than it is now. Also allow it to compete with the new MMO's coming out in the near future.

Just my two copper coins.

[Quanefel]

Any Dev comments on this or hints at what might be in store for us in the future? Connecting the slayer areas around Stormreach to one larger area could be a start....