* Bug Fixes *

- Fixed a bug with sleeves not showing properly when wearing robes

* Item Changes *

- Aqualung charges should now work properly

* Trade Skill Changes *

- Regular, medium quality, high quality, mithril, brellium and adamantite rings, as well as their enchanted versions are now stackable.
- Added a few trade skill vendors to Ak'Anon
- Added ore, clay, pottery sketch, baking, and brewing vendors to Felwithe to round out the tradeskill supplies available in Felwithe and Kelethin.
- Crafted fishing flies, special fishing poles and special baits now add a fishing skill bonus.
- Made all Bait and flies equipable in the Ammo slot.
- Added clay, ore and brewing supply vendors to Halas.
- Added several trade skill vendors to Oggok.

* Localization Information

Localization on the EverQuest login/chat server has been fixed so that users can once again select French and German. Japanese and Korean have also been added.

To obtain the text files which enable a language, go to the Advanced Options screen in the patcher and click on the appropriate language box before clicking on "Download".

* Soulbinders *

A new group has appeared in Norrath (and on Luclin as well). Rumor has it that these 'Soulbinders' have dedicated themselves to research on the power and essence of our inner being. Some call them fanatics, as they claim that knowledge of the spirit that dwells within will lead them to an understanding of the whole of existence. Citizens often treat them with the same respect and distance that they treat the Priests of Discord. However, these Soulbinders have dedicated themselves to public service, and for them that service falls along their lines of specialty...

The next time you find yourself far away from home, you might seek the services of a Soulbinder.

/ooc: We've added these "Soulbinder" NPCs to all cities that player characters can start in, as well as Shadowhaven and Iceclad at the request of players. It is our hope that these new NPCs will help players by reducing the time it takes to find a bind from another player character.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Note on these Soulbinder dudes:

I quickly logged in to take a look and they're not neccesarily at the gates of a city, for example in EFP (where I looked) Soulbinder Grunson is just outside the Inn not far from the gates. Oh and by the way he binds you at the spot he is for FREE!!

And it toook them only like three years to implent a 'tank bind'.

Wooo ...

[ 12-20-2001: Message edited by: Kagrama ]

Guess what? I'm a PC that can bind, and I see these binding NPC's as a godsent.

[ 12-20-2001: Message edited by: Maradön? ]

But better, if you ask me, because if you don't want to bind there, you don't have to You can bind elsewhere with the spell instead. More versatile.

Mightion was 40 before I got Superion to the point where he could cast Bind Affinity, and as such, I never charged for binds with Superion, and I'm usually the first to offer my services if I'm in Freeport and someone asks for a bind.

I think I can count exactly five times I had to wait longer than a few minutes to get a bind with Mightion... and two of those were at the Arena. Did they put a Soulbinder there?

w00t!!!! I bet I can go HOME to smith now!

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Daniel Gow had this to say about John Romero:
Aieee...you wont believe where they put the bind NPC in Kelethin. You go up to the newbie lift platform, go directly across to the next platform, up the ramp on the left and he's there. That's just about the worst possible place...eeek...

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I think it's a great place. Low trafic, no chance of MOBs, not too far from everything else.

In Shar Vahl, the Soulbinder is in the palace, to the right (as you enter from outside) of the King's chamber.

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Daniel Gow stumbled drunkenly to the keyboard and typed:
December 20th, 3:00am
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- Added a few trade skill vendors to Ak'Anon
- Added ore, clay, pottery sketch, baking, and brewing vendors to Felwithe to round out the tradeskill supplies available in Felwithe and Kelethin.

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- Crafted fishing flies, special fishing poles and special baits now add a fishing skill bonus.
- Made all Bait and flies equipable in the Ammo slot.

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/ooc: We've added these "Soulbinder" NPCs to all cities that player characters can start in, as well as Shadowhaven and Iceclad at the request of players. It is our hope that these new NPCs will help players by reducing the time it takes to find a bind from another player character.

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WOW! You mean I don't have to sit around, yelling for a bind anymore? You mean that casters don't have to be botherd with bind-beggars? And we don't have to listen to people shouting for binds? Why did it take them two years to do this, this should have been in the game since day 1! Glad they finally wised up. This is something that's been long overdue.

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Troodon impressed everyone with:
WOW! You mean I don't have to sit around, yelling for a bind anymore? You mean that casters don't have to be botherd with bind-beggars? And we don't have to listen to people shouting for binds? Why did it take them two years to do this, this should have been in the game since day 1! Glad they finally wised up. This is something that's been long overdue.

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Now if they'd only do that with ports

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We were all impressed when Maradön? wrote:
Crazy, and after years of adamant insistance that they would NEVER, EVER, EVER IMPLIMENT BINDING NPC'S, lest they decrease the value of the bind spell for PC's.

Guess what? I'm a PC that can bind, and I see these binding NPC's as a godsent.

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Binding is not something should be paid for, in my opinion. I can understand wizards and druids charging for teleports, and casters charging for SoWs and buffs, but binding is such a basic need it should be free. I've never paid for a bind; if the caster demanded payment, I'd just get a bind from someone else. (And my enchanter never charges for a bind, although he will accept donations if offered). This was really no bid deal in Freeport, free binds were easy to get. But you could never seem to get a bind in Qeynos, nobody who could bind was ever around. And unless you were lucky enough for a necro or shaman to be around, could be a pain getting a bind in Cabilis. There will still be people who want to be bound in places other than where the soulbinders are, so there will still be some demand for this spell. But it's never been a bif money-maker for casters anyway, except the more greedy ones, most people I've met were usually willing to do it for free. But now they don't have to be bothered, and I don't have to wait around for someone willing to bind me to show up. I think Verant finally realized that doing this would actually HELP casters instead of HURTING them, as now they don't have to be bothered by people begging for binds anymore. This is better for everybody.

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Maradön? had this to say about dark elf butts:
Now if they'd only do that with ports

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Now that, they never will! And I don't think they should. Druids and wizards would scream bloody murder if they ever tried that, that's a big source of their income. Besides, you NEED a bind, teleports are only something you WANT to save you time getting places. You can still get to those places without ports, it just takes you longer. I see nothing wrong with having to pay for something that's a mere convenience instead of a necessity.

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We were all impressed when Troodon wrote:
Besides, you NEED a bind, teleports are only something you WANT to save you time getting places. You can still get to those places without ports, it just takes you longer. I see nothing wrong with having to pay for something that's a mere convenience instead of a necessity.

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I have to disagree, the annoying part isn't that it takes longer BUT that it is often more dangerous!

Imagine the young DE(below lvl 20) that wants tohunt togther with his erudite friend? It's long and dangerous journey for both of them and I'dsay that it is almost impossible below level 10 without a port.

Yes traveling in EQ is dangerous, and even for the most highest levels a bit of concentration is required if they don't want to be killed when traveling longer distances.

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Tarquinn had this to say about Duck Tales:
I have to disagree, the annoying part isn't that it takes longer BUT that it is often more dangerous!

Imagine the young DE(below lvl 20) that wants tohunt togther with his erudite friend? It's long and dangerous journey for both of them and I'dsay that it is almost impossible below level 10 without a port.

Yes traveling in EQ is dangerous, and even for the most highest levels a bit of concentration is required if they don't want to be killed when traveling longer distances.

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Well, um...it is a continent that you'd be crossing. Filled with safe areas and dangerous ones...

Technically a level 1 character with absolutely nothing can make the journey you mentioned from Neriak to West Antonica as long as you're careful, wait for the appropriate time of day and keep an eye out for dangerous creatures.

A teleport is not necessary, and in some cases you still have to travel through tough areas after your port. They really just save time.

I also happen to disagree on the fact that a bind is necessary. While I don't charge people for my binds or accept donations you don't HAVE to have a bind to play in a certain region. There's nothing stopping you (besides a healthy dose of common sense) from being bound in Ak'anon and hunting in the Warrens for example.

In both cases...they just happen to be damn useful

That's the one thing I get to do to help my guild at, since I'm not Raid Level (only 39, lowest in my guild). Not to mention, it gives me a certain amount of pride to think "I'm a wizard who made it to level 39, and I am one of the 2 classes who can teleport people around."
Yeah, there is some bothers with the ability to TP, but they're easy enough to ignore (i.e. just not respond to).
It's not even an income thing, as I still feel great teleporting someone for free. It's just a matter of Wizard Pride.

I do two things, Nuke and Port, and up until recently, Our nuking ability was a bit underpar (Luclin has done some great things), and making NPC Porters would be a blow to the Wizard class...

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Densetsu had this to say about Robocop:
I'll still be spending hours at a time looking for a bind in freeport...

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Ummm why?

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Lashanna had this to say about John Romero:
Ummm why?

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Probably KOS and can't get to the Guy without the guards killing him.

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Azizza had this to say about Duck Tales:
Probably KOS and can't get to the Guy without the guards killing him.

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Time disclaimer. I havent played EQ in more then a week. Dunno if they've removed the luclin porters..

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Lashanna had this to say about (_|_):
Well, it's a start... Besides getting whacked on by the guards is a small price to pay if you really do have to wait hours for a bind normally (and I know you can make it past the guards, because my Wizard can do it, she's Ally in NFP, and KoS in WFP)

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I'm sorry that wizards are a taxi class, or are viewed as such. The fact is that that's a problem with the class that should be addressed as such, it is NOT the problem of other players, nor SHOULD it be the problem of other players. We decided to play our classes, you decided to play yours. You knew what you were getting into.

Likewise, and yes I know several exceptions (and this no way reflects on the players of these characters, because I know quite a few I like, think a lot of, and in one case am in love with) but Druids are just plain greedy, on the whole. There's a REASON why dr00ds got their nickname. They can solo for a good long time, they can farm well, and they can charge an arm and a leg for teleports. And I'm sick of it. I know they're the travel class, and I know quite a few druids with big hearts who are great guys. But damn it...the vast majority of druids I've encountered are just plain greedy.

I wouldn't mind shelling out 5-10 plat for a port like I did when I started out. The spells are the same. The locations are generally the same. Not costing druids reagents to teleport to WC or Surefall or BB or Tox or whatever. So why has the price doubled? Fact is it shouldn't have. I hope the nexus continues. I hope they take it one step farther and allow NPC's to more locations for a price. "These four for free, these others for 5-10p". Even if only for a while, to level out things a bit. Way things are going now, in another four or five months, the price for a port on Luclin will be 30p. Ridiculous.

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Ja'Deth Issar Ka'bael wrote this then went back to looking for porn:
Way things are going now, in another four or five months, the price for a port on Luclin will be 30p. Ridiculous.

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They cry out "please bind camp me".

However, its a GREAT addition on blue servers, SZ is the only server I could get easy binds/sows/teleports on. Other servers it was very hard for me.

Melee binding is one of the many things that motivated me to switch from Veeshan to SZ. I do wish this option had been available to my first couple of bards.

But adding a system of NPC Ports would CHANGE what we were getting into. Dramaticly.
No, I'm not talking about the Nexus, and neither was Maradon. The Nexus still has enough flaws and is still limited enough to where Ports are still needed.
Besides, it's not like the NExpress takes you to Druid Rings anyway.

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Daniel Gow wrote this stupid crap:
I also happen to disagree on the fact that a bind is necessary. While I don't charge people for my binds or accept donations you don't HAVE to have a bind to play in a certain region. There's nothing stopping you (besides a healthy dose of common sense) from being bound in Ak'anon and hunting in the Warrens for example.

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Um, yes, you said it yourself, A HEALTHY DOSE OF COMMON SENSE stops you from fighting too far away from your bind point, if you die, you have to cross several zones naked or beg for a teleport to get your corpse back. Saying you don't nned a bind is like saying you don't need armor. Yes, technically you can do without it, but why would you ever want to?! It's much more than a mere convenience, and saves you much more than time.

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Daniel Gow had this to say about Duck Tales:

- Regular, medium quality, high quality, mithril, brellium and adamantite rings, as well as their enchanted versions are now stackable.

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Stackable???? Stackable where?? On your hands?? In a bag?

OMFG can you imagine if you were allowed to stack rings on your hands? Like 5 rings at a time? WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

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Illanae had this to say about Matthew Broderick:
Stackable???? Stackable where?? On your hands?? In a bag?

OMFG can you imagine if you were allowed to stack rings on your hands? Like 5 rings at a time? WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

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They're talking about rings used to make chain armor in blacksmithing, not the pretty ones you put on your fingers for stats.

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Mightion Defensor had this to say about Matthew Broderick:
They're talking about rings used to make chain armor in blacksmithing, not the pretty ones you put on your fingers for stats.

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poo

Well, I still like my idea best!

I would look like one of those old ladies I see in the casinos here in Vegas, 5 rings per finger!

I blame the idiots who agreed to pay the price that send the standard. On every server there was one addled brain retard of a monkey (no offense Cadga there on the monkey bit) who was willing to pay that amount. Half the time I think these prices started out as a joke by someone:

GreedyWanzurpp: Hmm. i have this item from over there. Think I'll sell it at some insane price to see if someone wants it.

MonkeyRetard: How much?

Greedy Wanzurpp: Hmmmm, 2 gajillion pp, your first born child, and to cyber with your gf's hot blonde wood elf.

Monkey Retard: Mmmmmm kay! deal!

Then Greedy Wanzurpp goes and tells everyone about the price he just got....and the standard has been set.

[ 12-21-2001: Message edited by: Old Hickory ]

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Densetsu had this to say about (_|_):
I'll still be spending hours at a time looking for a bind in freeport...

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Um, why?! Just go to the Soulbinder. And besides, I don't know why it ever took you hours to find a bind in Freeport; even before the soulbinders, it never took me more than 15 minutes to get a bind (Qeynos is a whole 'nother story though!). I'd just go to West Freeport, shout "Need a bind at the gate," and eventually somebody would come bind me. Now I don't even need to do that, just go hail the Soulbinder. Now it shouldn't take you any longer to get bound in Freeport than it does to find the Soulbinder.

[ 12-21-2001: Message edited by: Troodon ]

As for buying items, there's an amount of risk in procuring some items (note I said some, not all. Farmers are a pain) and I'm sure if I were selling gear I'd want a little compensation myself. However...what risk is there in a Druid porting to a Druid ring? Or a Wizard landing at a set of wizard spires? All they're doing is taking maybe five minutes to med up mana and shift locations. They're not getting XP, they're not taking ANY risk...and they're reaping an inordinate reward for it.

I know people are lazy, and greedy. That doesn't mean they should prey on people who aren't. My highest level character is a warrior and I work for my money. I play the risk vs reward game. I group. And I sure as hell don't think that while ports should have a cost for specific locations (like I've said earlier, I don't mind paying a moderate sum for a port), that they should charge an arm and a leg for what amounts to trivial effort.

Someone told me the price for a TP to NK from WC would be 30 plat. Another druid offered to port me for 20, and he asked what the first was charging. I told him, and he broadcast that in OOC. Apparently the first druid was quite known for his extortion when porting...

Paying 20 plat for a port doesn't bother me - what bothers me are people in Gfay looking for a port to NK, WC, DL, IC, or whatever for a CR. Geez, people. I don't care HOW uber you are; wherever you go to fight, by definition there's something there that can kick your arse. Clerics go link-dead, warriors lose aggro, 'chanters fizzle mezzes. Get your freaking binds, already...