North Karana
Quick Facts
Type:Outdoor
Expansion:
Antonica
Instanced:
No
Keyed:
No
Level Range:
8 - 40
Send a correction
| North Karana is the "nexus" of the Karana Plains. Despite the dangers of the roaming lions, wolves, bears, griffons, and occasional hill giant, this place is quite the player-friendly area: Here, you'll find a few guard watch towers for aid, a gypsy camp with vendors, and a druid ring and wizard spires for porting.
Speaking of guard watch towers, North Karana is home to what may be the most active guards in all of Norrath. The tower in the center of the zone is in the path of many a wandering animal and keeps its guards fighting off trouble on a steady basis. They win most of their battles, but occasionally lose, particularly when the opponent is an upper level hill giant, griffon, or GrimFeather. |
| ----------------------- |
            |
Strategy Notes:
You can buy Karana Plains Pebble from the Guild Hall portal vendor to port to this zone.
- Comments (74)
- Connected Zones (5)
- NPCs (88)
- Items (98)
- Quests Starting (9)
- Quests In (25)
- Screenshots
Anonymous
I heard that Verant is opening a new plane up, and this was the precurser. Cant remember exactly what is was called. I think the plane of plauge.
14 posts
I have had similar messages Ginn. I'm a 19 halfling druid and just started seeing them in the last two weeks or so. Thins like ..your eyes are itchy, you develop a light rash, you feel nauseus, etc.
It coincided with my first TP so I thought that might be related but its not. Reading the post about the swarming beetles I am taking a longshot guess here and thinking something is 'Wrong With The Land' in NK and that us druids are feeling it. I'm planning on hanging aroudn to see whats happening.
Rumguzzle on the Torv server. Druid and wanderer.
It coincided with my first TP so I thought that might be related but its not. Reading the post about the swarming beetles I am taking a longshot guess here and thinking something is 'Wrong With The Land' in NK and that us druids are feeling it. I'm planning on hanging aroudn to see whats happening.
Rumguzzle on the Torv server. Druid and wanderer.
3 posts
I too have experienced some strange happenings in the zone recently. A few nights ago I was in the Gypsy camp and happened to look north to see a huge armada of small beetles moving rapidly south, directly at the camp. I inspected them and found that they were called Swarmer beetles, which conned green to me (19th level Ranger), and since there were so many, I thought I should at least try to camoflage myself. Before I could finish casting my spell, they were already upon me. After a second or two of trying to communicate with the other characters in the zone, I noticed I was being hit for 45 points of damage by something called a Swarmer Mother, or something similar. I immediately made my way to the zone and escaped them, but I was wondering, is this a normal event... I have not seen them in the bestiary for this zone, nor witnessed them in this zone before. It looked as though there were hundreds of these little guys (I am sure it probably was closer to 25 or fifty, but they appeared to be everywhere).
3 posts
I seem to have lost some faction with the gypsy camp. How can I improve my faction with them?
5 posts
Greeting, I am a 54 wanderer.
Recently when I pass by North Karana, I have a few strange finding:
Firstly, I get message saying my character feel unfortable within this zone (e.g. You feel your skin itchy, you have stuffy nose, etc.)
I am not sure is this message only to druid only.
Secondly, I have abnormal vision in this zone, after the message your vision blurred, the horizon become greenish and image is blurred.
Well, any other druid or Players have such experience? is this limited to druid only? Is it new quest? I am not sure. Anyone have possible answer? FYI, I am proceeding in my epic, any clue on this?
I observed some rabid animal on track, may be i should kill them to see what do they drop *smile
54 Wanderer on Solusek Ro
Recently when I pass by North Karana, I have a few strange finding:
Firstly, I get message saying my character feel unfortable within this zone (e.g. You feel your skin itchy, you have stuffy nose, etc.)
I am not sure is this message only to druid only.
Secondly, I have abnormal vision in this zone, after the message your vision blurred, the horizon become greenish and image is blurred.
Well, any other druid or Players have such experience? is this limited to druid only? Is it new quest? I am not sure. Anyone have possible answer? FYI, I am proceeding in my epic, any clue on this?
I observed some rabid animal on track, may be i should kill them to see what do they drop *smile
54 Wanderer on Solusek Ro
Anonymous
Hey there, Im currently camped there with the Gypsies and your not the only one experiencing weird things. Im only a 16th LVL warrior, but I get the same; Itchy skin, blured vision, rash, ECT...I havent come across any of the Bettle swarms yet, but Im sure youll here me shout or yell for help:) I hope this helped and good luck.
Chajipado
Warrior Lvl 16
The Fearless Drunk
Chajipado
Warrior Lvl 16
The Fearless Drunk
Scholar
28 posts
I just made a run through NK last night and experienced the same messages. Mine were first blurred vision and then after it started raining I received the stuffy nose message. There were no NPC or MOB encounters during the run and there was no apparent physical loss. I suspect that this is rather new feature as a add-in to one of the recent updates just for laughs. LOL
Anonymous
eh... me first time travelin into the karanas i noticed this. Happens every time i enters this place. scared me senseless first time it happened but now im used to it as it happens all the time
Anonymous
OK EVERYONE THE ZONE IS PLAUGED AND WILL STAY THAT WAY UNTIL THE POWERS TO BE SEE FIT. THAT IS WHY YOU GET ALL THE SICKNESS MESSAGES ETC EVRYONE DOES.
Anonymous
Oh an one last advice to all spellcasters. Don't med away from guards without invisibility. I did once. And Hill Giand stepped right on me :(
Sarus, The Rathe server
Sarus, The Rathe server
14 posts
Don't count on the guards helping you either. I witnessed a hill giant crush the two guards at the tower and then crush me..
Don't feel too bad about not being invised when you got squashed. I'm not sure exactly about NK hill giants but many hill giants can see invisible so you would have been stepped on anyway.
3 posts
Do the griffin derivatives just aggro on anyone for no reason or are they like wolves and bears in that they don't aggro on druids (or rangers?) until you start hunting them?
Also, what's the earliest level you recommend for starting to hunt the beetles near where the guards are at the bridge?
Also, what's the earliest level you recommend for starting to hunt the beetles near where the guards are at the bridge?
I started at 11 as a wizard and will likely stay here till 20.
"Is that your final answer?"
No, not that Regis, Regis the Reverant. This is a high Level Undead (upper 20s I think) who spawns when the Ghoul Zarhal the Vile is killed. Regis Spanws way, way up north, in the east of the zone in the trees on the northern wall. His drops get you the Cleric Quest Bracers, 5 Wisdom, worth around 600 pp for the cost of killing Regis and 2 enchanted platinum bars (cost 210p total).
He heals himself very quickly so kiting is rough unless you can interrupt, or hit huge. Best way to kill him, of course, is with undead DDs.
No, not that Regis, Regis the Reverant. This is a high Level Undead (upper 20s I think) who spawns when the Ghoul Zarhal the Vile is killed. Regis Spanws way, way up north, in the east of the zone in the trees on the northern wall. His drops get you the Cleric Quest Bracers, 5 Wisdom, worth around 600 pp for the cost of killing Regis and 2 enchanted platinum bars (cost 210p total).
He heals himself very quickly so kiting is rough unless you can interrupt, or hit huge. Best way to kill him, of course, is with undead DDs.
Anonymous
Cordelia Minster is a bard NPC, and that means weak. She is anywhere from level 18 to 22, which makes for great solo xp till 24. Even melee calsses can solo at these levels. Bards can only punch, they can't bash, kick, or any of the nasty stuff. They also never carry weapons so they have a hard time hitting you solidly.
Cordelia spawns on the inside of the southeast spire near the stone bridge. She stays there for around 15 minutes before taking a jaunt towards the northwest corner of the zone. She eventually ends up at a house in the NW, near the WK zone. She stays at that house for about 15 minutes before walking all the way back. Check at the spires for her first and if she isn't there, follow the road past the gypsy camp and towards the northwest and check the house. You might encounter her on her walk.
Recently, Guard Fredrick has been coming around frequently and sometime even the Capt'n shows up but correct pulling will prevent any encounters with these annoying good guys. Pulling along the water away from the bridge is recommended. Druids like me can kite towards the east or west along the water in peace.
She spawns every 6 minutes and has lots of words and runes, and sometimes raw hide or leather armor and up to 2 to 3 plat. Not the absolute best loot but the safety and regularity of the xp is unbeatable. Besides, you can make up for the loot deficit by killing gnome mechanics in Ak'Anon after you're done with Cordelia. If you're bored, you can always zone into SK and see whether you can get the hermit for yourself. The hermit is much tougher to kill however.
Cordelia spawns on the inside of the southeast spire near the stone bridge. She stays there for around 15 minutes before taking a jaunt towards the northwest corner of the zone. She eventually ends up at a house in the NW, near the WK zone. She stays at that house for about 15 minutes before walking all the way back. Check at the spires for her first and if she isn't there, follow the road past the gypsy camp and towards the northwest and check the house. You might encounter her on her walk.
Recently, Guard Fredrick has been coming around frequently and sometime even the Capt'n shows up but correct pulling will prevent any encounters with these annoying good guys. Pulling along the water away from the bridge is recommended. Druids like me can kite towards the east or west along the water in peace.
She spawns every 6 minutes and has lots of words and runes, and sometimes raw hide or leather armor and up to 2 to 3 plat. Not the absolute best loot but the safety and regularity of the xp is unbeatable. Besides, you can make up for the loot deficit by killing gnome mechanics in Ak'Anon after you're done with Cordelia. If you're bored, you can always zone into SK and see whether you can get the hermit for yourself. The hermit is much tougher to kill however.
Anonymous
What's the faction change when you kill her? And who can you kill to change it back?
(*****,+3300) WK Zone Edge
(-3700,+1200) Wizard Spires
(-4200,+1200) SK "Stone" Bridge
(-1500,+0100) Guard Tower
(-1000,-0100) Gypsy Camp
(-2700,-1400) Druid Ring
(+0000,-2700) EK "Wood/Iron" Bridge
A generally Y shaped path, with a triangle at the center, connects the two bridges, gypsy camp, and a spot near the northern end of the WK zone edge.
(-3700,+1200) Wizard Spires
(-4200,+1200) SK "Stone" Bridge
(-1500,+0100) Guard Tower
(-1000,-0100) Gypsy Camp
(-2700,-1400) Druid Ring
(+0000,-2700) EK "Wood/Iron" Bridge
A generally Y shaped path, with a triangle at the center, connects the two bridges, gypsy camp, and a spot near the northern end of the WK zone edge.
Scholar
24 posts
I solo'd beetles in NK for many levels with several different classes, and can count the number of deaths on one hand. The xp is free flowing and the risks are neglible. The only drawback is the nonexistant loot. Here's my favorite strategy:
Hang out near the West wall of the zone. Everyone else will be at the Stone Bridge, so let them fight over the spawns over there. The zone ends around 3200 west (loc). Beetles of the 3 types Pincer (easiest Lv: 10-12), Borer (middle Lv: 14-16), and Scythe (hardest: 17-19) will roam all up and down the zone just East of you. I would dash out and attack a beetle, and then immediately run back towards the zone. Stop when your East-West loc is between 3000 and 3100 and then fight there. If anything goes wrong, just zone. Not much can go wrong but here are some things to watch out for:
The wolves, bears, lions, lionesses, Highland Lions and Griffs will aggro on most classes and they might wander into you while you are fighting. Beetles are social and will join the battle if they see you fighting another. If you are a Dark Elf, most NPC's in the zone will aggro on you, so watch out for wandering guards, bard and treants. Also as a DE avoid some of the camps near the north wall.
Soloing beetles is so easy it's ridiculous. They are so slow, as a paladin, I could run away from the one that was killing me and get so far away I could heal myself a few times and then resume the battle. Repeat it by running up and down the zone wall, and you could heal yourself all day (beetle is healing a bit over time too, though, so be careful).
Using this method you can solo monsters for 10 levels or so and never die.
Hang out near the West wall of the zone. Everyone else will be at the Stone Bridge, so let them fight over the spawns over there. The zone ends around 3200 west (loc). Beetles of the 3 types Pincer (easiest Lv: 10-12), Borer (middle Lv: 14-16), and Scythe (hardest: 17-19) will roam all up and down the zone just East of you. I would dash out and attack a beetle, and then immediately run back towards the zone. Stop when your East-West loc is between 3000 and 3100 and then fight there. If anything goes wrong, just zone. Not much can go wrong but here are some things to watch out for:
The wolves, bears, lions, lionesses, Highland Lions and Griffs will aggro on most classes and they might wander into you while you are fighting. Beetles are social and will join the battle if they see you fighting another. If you are a Dark Elf, most NPC's in the zone will aggro on you, so watch out for wandering guards, bard and treants. Also as a DE avoid some of the camps near the north wall.
Soloing beetles is so easy it's ridiculous. They are so slow, as a paladin, I could run away from the one that was killing me and get so far away I could heal myself a few times and then resume the battle. Repeat it by running up and down the zone wall, and you could heal yourself all day (beetle is healing a bit over time too, though, so be careful).
Using this method you can solo monsters for 10 levels or so and never die.
ditto that! beetles are great, because they don't hit that hard, and you can outrun them without sow - for non-evils i suggest hanging around the guard tower in your downtime. most wandering mobs will get killed by the guards. only time i ever seen thos guards go down was when grimfeather took a disliking to them - they can and will take down the HG's taht wander through their aggro radius, as well. note on the highland lions - they run FAST so watch it with them - they will keep up with a sow (i learned that one the hard way)
siacay
cazic-thule
siacay
cazic-thule
Anonymous
I hate to say it, but I have outrun the HLs many times with SoW and I am lvl 16 warrior. But you are right, beetles will agro if you are fighting one of their own so F9 till you get overhead view before self so you can see what is going on around you.
Jeanluc
Luclin
Jeanluc
Luclin
#Anonymous,
Posted: Sep 24 2000 at 8:44 PM, Rating: Sub-Default, (Expand Post) I hate to say it, but I have outrun the HLs many times with SoW and I am lvl 16 warrior. But you are right, beetles will agro if you are fighting one of their own so F9 till you get overhead view before self so you can see what is going on around you.
Most people tell you not to hunt Griffs here because they are serious mis-cons and will eat you alive. This is true. However, if you are a druid or an enchanter then you can convince them to eat the beetles alive instead. As a druid I can charm a griffawn for a decent amount of time with my charisma buffed over 100 and use him to kill at least 2 beetle before he almost runs out of HP, the I just break the charm and kite him for the 5-15% life he has left. Thats 1 beetle (half exp from 2 beetles because the griff did over half the work) and 1 griffawn for less mana than it normally takes to solo a beetle.
Anonymous
Another version of this strategy that I use is to have my charmed griffawn attack another griffawn. I will usually hit the griffawn being attacked with a DOT and one careless lightning to ensure my pet will win. Then as soon as the fight is over I caste dispell magic on my pet. This turns him aggro to me but again one careless lightning is usually enough to finish him off after the beating he has taken from the first battle. So for the cost of maybe three spells I get two griffawn kills.
"So for the cost of maybe three spells I get two griffawn kills"
You get 1.5 griffawn kills. Your pet seriously outdamages you on the first kill so you only get half exp. If you want the full 2 kills then it is a bit more risky. When both your pet and the other are at 10%, HIDE. This will break the charm and they will come after you. You then snare them both, kill your pet, then kill the other. Same net mana cost, slightly more risk, 33% more experience.
You get 1.5 griffawn kills. Your pet seriously outdamages you on the first kill so you only get half exp. If you want the full 2 kills then it is a bit more risky. When both your pet and the other are at 10%, HIDE. This will break the charm and they will come after you. You then snare them both, kill your pet, then kill the other. Same net mana cost, slightly more risk, 33% more experience.
Anonymous
being a druid I'd love to try this but may I ask how high level you fellows are? (before I end up as breakfast ;)
13 posts
What lvl you ask? I am lvl 18. I have tried a few of the strategies myself. they work wonders! Exp is pretty good and when all is said and done just go back to the guards and they will protect you while you med!
So charm a Grrifawn or two (or three.. or four...) and rake in the Exp. Happy Hunting
Nellen Flaminfeet
Sphere of Honour
Xegony
So charm a Grrifawn or two (or three.. or four...) and rake in the Exp. Happy Hunting
Nellen Flaminfeet
Sphere of Honour
Xegony
36 posts
ok this is the Drum.....griffawns and fenes and fons are all animals so a druid has them wiped no matter whether they con right or not....you cast snare.then terrorize animal and they are history..especially if you have a melee helper...as for pets...i have charmed many of this species and by far the best are the griffins in wc..they hit you damn hard when they break charm,but they are an awesome pet....kill a hg with a bit of your help in no time...i sicked one onto kidean Gix and he lasted about 3 seconds..hehe great fun..just keep chloro on or regen ..and beg for clarity if you can that charm is quite expensive mana wise after it breaks a couple of times
Northern Karana is another fine zone for hunting, especially for solo hunting. The creatures are nice and spread-out, so you'll almost never get jumped by more than one. Visibility is vast, too, so, if you switch to a third-person perspective during combat, you can anticipate whether any "piling on" is about to take place, and adjust the combat location accordingly. I hunt beetles here at level 20, and, although the loot is terrible, the xp is just fine. Highland lions are also good hunting.
One big note, though. Do not, under *any* circumstances, solo any of the griffon-derivatives here--no matter how tempted you may be to try--if you are a melee class, and you are not 100% sure that the little buggers are at least 10 levels below you. Trust me. They will rip you to tiny little shreds. If you can't root-kite them, you've got no business engaging them solo. If you're hunting griffs, take a group.
--Edmund
One big note, though. Do not, under *any* circumstances, solo any of the griffon-derivatives here--no matter how tempted you may be to try--if you are a melee class, and you are not 100% sure that the little buggers are at least 10 levels below you. Trust me. They will rip you to tiny little shreds. If you can't root-kite them, you've got no business engaging them solo. If you're hunting griffs, take a group.
--Edmund
13 posts
Sounds like someone learned the hard way eh? Tough luck friend. But he is right! I am druid. i have it easy.
Root, DOT, and nuke nuke nuke!
POOF!!! No more baddie and some more exp for me!! Just be careful with what you hunt and when.
Nellen Flaminfeet
Sphere of Honour
Xegony
Root, DOT, and nuke nuke nuke!
POOF!!! No more baddie and some more exp for me!! Just be careful with what you hunt and when.
Nellen Flaminfeet
Sphere of Honour
Xegony
It's true. This is the best place for a soloer to hunt to get good EP. Doesn't matter if you are a caster or a meleer. I've seen a monk hunt here from 18 to 22 solo. My Wizard's whole teenage life was spent here, from 12 to 20. Here is my strategy for a Wizard.
The trick for solo Wizards in this zone is to stay as close to the border as much as possible. Take a peek. Pull with your Fire Bolt and run. Don't wait and watch to make sure the Bolt will hit, it will, just run and watch your text box. Stay no more than 10 steps away from zoning out. Then root as it approaches. If the mob has more health than you have manna.. Zone out unless you have him down to the runner phase and can proceed to beat him with your stick.
From 12 to 14, hunt Lions, Lioness, Silvermist Wolf and Grizzly Bear. It's a little difficult at 12 but gets easier once you make 13.
At 14 to 15, you can test the Griffawns but still stay awfully close to the zone. Root them only once, if it doesn't hold, zone out cause I guarantee you will run out of manna at 14 before you can kill em. If you are low on manna and health and the mob is on the runner phase, forget it. If another mob sees you while you whack away at the runner, you are dead. Just let it go and zone out to fight another time. It only takes you less than 5 minutes to med, but it'll take you over an hour to recover the exp you've lost if you die.
At 16-18, leave the zone and get your Lightning bolt but come back. Once you have Lightning bolt, you are in cruise control. Hunt Borers, Griffawns, and Highland Lions.
And from 18 t0 20, hunt the same mobs at 16, but add Scythes.
I emphasize, no matter what level you are when attacking a griffawn, make sure that there are no others nearby... the griffs will help each other out. If 2 of them jump on you. Just root both of them and run to the zone. When it rains in N. Karana, the mist effect blocks out alot from view. I had a Griffawn rooted and was blasting away at it then from right behind it, hiding in the rainy fog, another griff came out rushing me as fast as lightning... and guess who it was??? Old grandpa GrimFeather himself. Forget root, you are too low level so he'll just resist it, gate won't save you, he attacks so fast you'll be dead before the spell completes casting, running is out, he flies and you won't even make it 2 steps with your back turned on him. Just whack him with your stick until you die. At least you died fighting.
The trick for solo Wizards in this zone is to stay as close to the border as much as possible. Take a peek. Pull with your Fire Bolt and run. Don't wait and watch to make sure the Bolt will hit, it will, just run and watch your text box. Stay no more than 10 steps away from zoning out. Then root as it approaches. If the mob has more health than you have manna.. Zone out unless you have him down to the runner phase and can proceed to beat him with your stick.
From 12 to 14, hunt Lions, Lioness, Silvermist Wolf and Grizzly Bear. It's a little difficult at 12 but gets easier once you make 13.
At 14 to 15, you can test the Griffawns but still stay awfully close to the zone. Root them only once, if it doesn't hold, zone out cause I guarantee you will run out of manna at 14 before you can kill em. If you are low on manna and health and the mob is on the runner phase, forget it. If another mob sees you while you whack away at the runner, you are dead. Just let it go and zone out to fight another time. It only takes you less than 5 minutes to med, but it'll take you over an hour to recover the exp you've lost if you die.
At 16-18, leave the zone and get your Lightning bolt but come back. Once you have Lightning bolt, you are in cruise control. Hunt Borers, Griffawns, and Highland Lions.
And from 18 t0 20, hunt the same mobs at 16, but add Scythes.
I emphasize, no matter what level you are when attacking a griffawn, make sure that there are no others nearby... the griffs will help each other out. If 2 of them jump on you. Just root both of them and run to the zone. When it rains in N. Karana, the mist effect blocks out alot from view. I had a Griffawn rooted and was blasting away at it then from right behind it, hiding in the rainy fog, another griff came out rushing me as fast as lightning... and guess who it was??? Old grandpa GrimFeather himself. Forget root, you are too low level so he'll just resist it, gate won't save you, he attacks so fast you'll be dead before the spell completes casting, running is out, he flies and you won't even make it 2 steps with your back turned on him. Just whack him with your stick until you die. At least you died fighting.
Get a shiny brass idol from killing the shraloc orc in Highhold pass, or auction WTB one in highold. They're lore, so many people planning to stay a while will sell theirs so they have a chance at the next one. Its an expendable right click idol which casts divine aura on you. 18 seconds of "%t tries to hit you but you are invulnerable". If you chose your hunting spot well, you should be able to zone in that time! Of course, you cannot attack or cast while div aura is on you, but if you're running to zone, you can't anyway!
Free account required to post
You must log in or create an account to post messages.
© 2024 Fanbyte LLC