EverQuest Franchise Holiday Contest!

SOE and ZAM team up to give the community some awesome prizes!

UPDATE: Winners have been announced!


Thank you everyone for your entries! It's definitely been a trip down memory lane reading so many wonderful stories. The contest has now ended and we'll be finalizing the list of all qualified names before randomly selecting winners in a blind drawing.

Winners will be announced by 11:59pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, December 31, 2013. Winners will also be notified via Private Messaging (PMs) on ZAM that they have won. We will update this article and post a new one as well informing everyone of the results!


This holiday season, Sony Online Entertainment and ZAM want to share the holiday spirit with the community with an epic contest! It doesn't matter if you play EverQuest, EverQuest II or want to dive into EverQuest Next Landmark, there is something for all Norrathians here. We have one grand prize and three Station Cash prizes from SOE, as well as a bonus for ten lucky people from ZAM!

  • GRAND PRIZE: One winner will receive codes to the collector's editions of the most recent EverQuest and EverQuest II expansions, Call of the Forsaken and Tears of Veeshan (a $90 value each), as well as a code for the EverQuest Next Landmark Trailblazer Founder's Pack (a $100 value; total prize value of $280)
  • Three more winners will each receive one $10 Station Cash code (worth 1000 SC)
  • Ten more winners will each receive three months premium on ZAM

Continue after the jump for details on how this contest will work!


How to Enter

  • Log in to your ZAM account (registering is free!)
  • Post a comment at least 3-5 sentences long (minimum) in the comments section of this article
  • The comment should focus on your favorite location in Norrath, in any EverQuest franchise title. Why is it your favorite place? Did something fun happen to you or your guild there? Do you just love the environment or lore of the location? Are you new to Norrath, but want to talk about a location you are excited to visit in-game?
  • You can supplement your comment by linking to a video or picture of this location! It's not required and won't affect your entry into the contest, but it's a lot more fun to share!
  • Deadline for entries is 11:59pm Pacific Time on Friday, December 27, 2013... that means you have one week to enter!
  • Only one entry per person, please!

Due to the amount of entries we have, comments may take a bit of extra time to load... patience, grasshopper!

How We Judge

  • As long as your entry meets the contest guidelines above, you will be entered into a random blind drawing!
  • Winners will be announced by 11:59pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, December 31, 2013
  • Codes for the Grand Prize and Station Cash will be sent to the appropriate winners via private message on ZAM by 11:59pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, December 31, 2013
  • Winners of the three months of premium on ZAM will have it added to their account and will be notified of their win via private message on ZAM. This has to be done manually, so there may be additional delay.

Obligatory Information

  • No purchase necessary, but you need to register for a free account with ZAM if you haven't yet
  • You must have an account with SOE to be able to redeem the codes. They will not work for PSS1 account holders.
  • We don't care which country you're in as long as you have an SOE account
  • The contest begins whenever this article goes live on Friday, December 20, 2013 and ends at 11:59pm Pacific Time on Friday, December 27, 2013
  • One entry per person
  • ZAM staff and their immediate family are not eligible. Sorry, hubby!
  • SOE employees and their immediate family are not eligible. Sorry, Roshen!

That's everything! You can enter the contest for yourself, or to try and win an awesome gift for a friend or loved one -- either way, we can't wait to read everyone's stories!


Disclaimer: I'm aware that the picture above doesn't reflect the recent EverQuest and EverQuest II expansions... what it does reflect is my favorite locations in those games! =)

 Ann "Cyliena" Hosler, Managing Editor

Follow me on Twitter: @Cyliena

Comments

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Favorite Location?
# Dec 23 2013 at 12:48 PM Rating: Decent
i would have to say that my favorite location would have to be Lake of Ill Omen from EQ1. I spent so much time there in the little sarnak fort grinding experience on probably every toon i had before luclin came out. It was one of those places that a lot of people knew about but not everyone went to, made for some really great groups and awesome xp!
Not sure there is a "favorite" for me
# Dec 23 2013 at 12:24 PM Rating: Decent
After thinking about this topic for a day or two , I've come to the conclusion that I don't have a "favorite place" so much as there are places that I'd prefer not to go due to any number of reasons, be they so far out of the way that it takes 17 pages of maps, 2 mounts, an adolescent gnome mageling holding a pogo stick and a bottle of white wine, or just annoyingly overcrowded. Having said all that, I will go out of my way to hit up older zones that new guildies have a need to get to for whatever reason, just to help them in whatever task draws them there. I personally just enjoy roaming about in the huge world of Norrath ( and the planes and spaces that come with it ), lending assistance to those I can help.
Favorite Zones
# Dec 23 2013 at 9:45 AM Rating: Decent
33 posts
I started playing EQ when Kunark came out. With the exception of some monetary-forced breaks i've been playing steadily ever since. I'm a questaholic, altaholic, tradeskiller, perpetual lowbie, and packrat. This was the perfect game for me!!

When Luclin came out my Vah Shir quickly became my main, and tho many hated it, Shar Vahl became my favorite zone. I did every quest, knew every tunnel and tower, could cycle the mob types in the canyon with (qualified)ease. I also knew the surrounding newbie zones. The back entrance to Paludal was always good to avoid the masses in the front. I actually made a little money for the first time in my game career giving tours of Shadow Haven to higher levels to help them find the NPC's they needed for their spells and such. I even did the Twilight Sea armor quests (yes, yes, I AM crazy, thank you!).

When EQ2 came out I got the starter kit with the player creation disc first and LOVED it. I made avatars and sigs for my guildies for our forums using the player models and photoshop. Had a blast with that. I played EQ2 a bit, but stuck with EQ till after the Drakkin came out. Finally the overflow of spam in all the channels drove me away, and I moved to EQ2. I memorized the newbie island, pulled out many a hair with the tradeskill system, and made as many alts as the game allowed.

My favorite zone in EQ2? Hmmm...Halas newbie house! lol! So many of my alts started in Halas simply because it has the most useful house ;) A packrat with HOUSES to fill up, oh yea, I was happy as a puppy with a face to lick!

Looking forward to EQ Next Landmark :) As long as I can continue my perpetual lowbie game play despite the needs of all the higherups I will continue to stick with Everquest. 8)

- Kishka on Zebugony (EQ)
- Kayoss on Permafrost (EQ2)
- Stormtree on Freeport (EQ2ftp)
Favorite Zones
# Dec 23 2013 at 12:53 PM Rating: Decent
I started everquest more then 10 years ago. Of all places i especially liked the kunark zones and the planes of power zones. I particularly liked keasora due to its difficulty to get out of the zone as a non gater end delling into the depths until the library. I think the place was so scary that i would not enter by myself. I miss this place in everquest 2. It would be nice of it came back in a new update.....perhaps as a place that holds the knowledge to get rid of Kerafyrm.
Umbral Plains
# Dec 23 2013 at 9:37 AM Rating: Decent
I have to go with umbral plains. When it was current it was a very dangerous place but if you were a druid a go place to solo.The undead in one part of the zone dropped really good armor for druids. It was one of the more underated luclin zones.
Now I'm Sad
# Dec 23 2013 at 4:06 AM Rating: Decent
The little underground tomb with the mound entrance in EQ1's Field of Bone will always be the most important to me. I grew up playing EQ1 and the tomb with the throne was the key place for my guild (Dragonsaber Army -- Vallon Zek) to meet up at. All the duels, conversations, games, and misc events we did there really brings back a ton of good memories when I visit that spot.

And now I really miss my guildies...
Estate of Unrest
# Dec 23 2013 at 3:07 AM Rating: Decent
Estate of Unrest is one of the beginner's “dungeon” zones I still remembered from EQ1 and with great fondness. This is the place where I met some of my good friends, who's friendship stayed with me throughout the 6+ years when we all played EQ1 together. This was one of those zones I remembered us cracking jokes and developing strategies together. There was quite a few gotcha and oh crap moments, especially when I found the hidden basement by accident. At the time I was thoroughly freaked out (the creepy atmosphere did not help) but later we all had a good laugh about it. Then after a very long time later, when I was level 60+, I revisited to farm for my alt and rediscovered and fell in love with this zone all over again. Of course the second time around was much more relaxing for me since I can now kill everything with ease and this allowed me the opportunity to scrutinize the zone and found brand new appreciation with how much character it has. I think of this place fondly and misses it as one would miss an actual childhood place. Whoever designed this zone, I say, good job and thank you!
Plane of Mischief
# Dec 23 2013 at 1:37 AM Rating: Decent
My favorite place in all of EQ was POM. This was back in the day when it was difficult to get to the Planes. You felt like you accomplished something just by getting there! Of course as I was a Halfling Bristlebane was the man, and his wonderfully wacky plane was my favorite. I spent hours sneaking around, mostly lost, in there and all the crazy things in there never ceased to amaze me. I hope EQN incorporates the planes in to its design. But the old school takes effort and planning to get in not a key with 7 million rare drops to make it 'difficult'. Uh anyway... BIRSTLEBANE!
Favorite location... would have to be in eq1...
# Dec 23 2013 at 12:59 AM Rating: Decent
Avatar
24 posts
Been around since the beginning of EQ1, and without a doubt this place has ALWAYS stuck out in my mind as the best place in all of the games. Butcherblock, top of the wall by the docks, left side of the wall. To watch the sunset and rise, and with that all my cares, worries, stresses and blights wash away with the sea. It was my "meditation room" for lack of a better term. After a long day in game or in real life we would always go watch the sunset and rise. This was our "spot" for relaxation :)

I spent my most precious moments there with my now real life husband, we met in game back in 2008 and were married in 2010, first day of fan faire. It was the only appropriate thing to do :)

This was and always will be our "eternal sanctuary" for us :)



Edited, Dec 22nd 2013 11:07pm by Cariana
____________________________
[95 Coercer (Enchanter)] Master Carpenter Darkzephyr Vierus The Decorator of Legend (Ratonga) < Homes and Tomes > Zone : Antonia Bayle

[95 Warden (Drud)] White Raven Nytedesyre Vierus the Oathbreaker (Ratonga) < Homes and Tomes > Zone : Antonia Bayle
Tenebrous Island Estates favorite zone? maybe :)
# Dec 23 2013 at 12:32 AM Rating: Decent
My favorite zone in Everquest 2, that is a hard choice, there are many zones in EQ2, and there are fond memories attached to many of them, also some painful memories of dying too many times, etc. :) I think I enjoy playing through the Kunark content most of all because there are a bazillion quests to complete which are overland quest that I can do without a group. These days, I play solo most of the time with my Merc helper(s). For us solo players, the Mercs where the best thing added to the game since I don't know when.

I also enjoy all the prestidge home zones, in particular the Tenebrous Island Retreat. I think each of my 14 characters owns that island because when it comes to decorating/building it is basically a blank slate where I can do anything I want. Most of the properties I've built and decorated have been on the Hall of Fame list on the Everfrost Server.
Favorite location
# Dec 23 2013 at 12:17 AM Rating: Decent
Scholar
18 posts
One of my favorite locations, that I wish the Everquest Producers would have done more with is Plane of Storms. I love that zone. I love the music there. I love killing monsters there. The environment is just amazing.

I also love Paludal Caverns. Back in the day that was the place to be. Loved always able to get a group there. With the help of the old Bazaar, it was so easy to twink up and head there. Trains made it the new Blackburrow I'd say.

Two of my favorite zones.
Smiley: clap
First time in High Pass Hold
# Dec 22 2013 at 11:22 PM Rating: Decent
2 posts
One of my fondest memories from the early days of EQ was the time my buddy and I discovered High Pass Hold. Back in the olden days (-grin-) we didn't have any fancy teleport books to get around and so it was usually quite the chore to go exploring new places. (We often had to cross High Pass Hold barefooted in the frozen snow, both ways. Oh wait, that was Everfrost Peaks, nevermind.) Anyway, back to High Pass Hold, I remember vividly coming out of High Keep and running into the cliffs that lead out to East Karana. We were totally in awe of the world Sony had created and the sheer height of the cliffs there. It was one of the first times when I really felt immersed into a video game. Of course I had to take the obligatory suicide plunge off the cliff in spite of the experience loss. My buddy and I spent the next 30-45 minutes trying to find my corpse at the bottom of the cliff. (Back then we also had to recover our corpses, often running back to them wearing nothing but a loin cloth.) We finally found that I had hit the bottom so hard that only an arm and one leg were sticking out of the ground. Those were the days.

Edited, Dec 22nd 2013 10:30pm by jkgamer
Rivervale oh Rivervale
# Dec 22 2013 at 10:18 PM Rating: Decent
The city of Rivervale was by far my favorite place on EQ and EQ2 for quite a few reasons. First, I was a halfling warrior and started there. Nothing was better than running into Misty Thicket to kill Motto. After Motto of course came the great dialogue and killing of Nillipus. After Nillipus, CHOMPER! The music was outstanding, and the ale in Fools Gold Inn was fantastic (seriously, I got intoxicated many a time there while feasting). In Everquest II I was happy to find Rivervale, though overrun, still had some old characters in it. Chomper, of course, was there and I was excited to see him part of the Legacy quest.

Higgil Haggil - Halfling Warrior of Bristlebane
Favorite places
# Dec 22 2013 at 8:29 PM Rating: Decent
Scholar
*
75 posts
I played a dwarven paladin while grouping, but I really loved soloing with my elven ranger, exploring every single outdoor zone and learning all about it and building faction with the people there. I came to prefer the lesser-known zones where I could hunt without distraction and work my way through every single quest in the zone, and this long before the Heroes path. Some early zones I loved started in Gfay, of course, but soon included LOIO and farming the cycles FM in Kunark and all of Velious. Two I'll never forget were Stonebrunt Mountains where I learned every nook and cranny, every mob and its pathing. I especially loved the tiger-striped hides and the various colored wisps. I did the quests for the Kerrans there over and over, and even ran to the Warrens and (was it Rathe for cherries?), for the quests for little Miranda. I doubt anyone built up their faction with those Kerrans more than I did.
Likewise, I spent ages in Jaggedpine, fearkiting griffons and killing poachers. Some of the named poachers I spent up to 30 minutes kiting to bring them down, emptying two quivers of arrows into them before they'd finally fall. IOh, the sense of accomplishment if they died before griffon adds or something else chased me to zone.
I've been absolutely hooked on this game since starting in October 2000.
Our first time :)
# Dec 22 2013 at 8:07 PM Rating: Decent
My fondest memory is the time I met my wife and we traveled to Lava storm for the first time. The sounds and mood was it for us, we have journeyed all over Norath and have seen the sights and wonders it has to offer. We were married a year later and to this day we still play together and enjoy all EQ 2 has to offer. This gane has done so much and we love every part of it and look forward to every patch and expansion. Long live EQ2 :)
EverQuest Franchise Holiday Contest!
# Dec 22 2013 at 6:31 PM Rating: Decent
Ok here goes,

Great Divide, I spent many of hours killing those giants and dragons for a Velium Weapon just to sell for some extra gold.

Kedge keep, I won't even go there...literally... "Train inc!!!!"

Mountains of Rathe, had those insanely giant skeletons that were perfect for collecting bone chips and great for being run over by an occasional <a hill giant>.

Splitpaw, I often thought was designed as a tomb. You would just die over and over.

Lake Rathetear, was a very versatile zone that you could spend a long time in and get nothing accomplished which is why I loved that zone. From the undead gnolls that changed at night to the little casting goblins that would sneak up on you in the water.

Fun times.
My favorite location
# Dec 22 2013 at 5:49 PM Rating: Decent
My favorite location is when i was fighting Kraken In a boat From the Betrayal by Boat Freeport quest line was Awesome Fight :)
The true favorite place..
# Dec 22 2013 at 4:38 PM Rating: Decent
Everyone has their favorite places in EQ and EQ2, and I have mine to and quite a few after giving it some thought. However after reading so many favorite places of fellow gamers, granted I didn't read them all, one of the most heart palpitating zones was Kithicor forest, especially at a lower lvl. I remember standing there waiting for it to turn 8 am in game time, to try and run the gauntlet to get to Rivervale, or trying to decide to take a chance and run the wall to avoid the skeleton armies and praying a druid would come along and give you sow so you had a chance to make it. It was such a exciting experience one I will never forget just like the first time I logged into the game and made it out of Felwithe and heard the music of Greater Faydark that music will forever be recognizable in my memory. I have yet to come across two things in EQ2 that has stood out in my memory more then those, other then the wonderful people I have had the opportunity to game with, but I do love the game still. When you come across something truly exceptional it will forever leave a lasting memory, those memories are my favorite place and I look to make more memories in Everquest future endeavors.
Favorite location: EQ
# Dec 22 2013 at 3:58 PM Rating: Decent
1 post
As a player who dates back to Everquest I have to say that my favorite zone of all time is Crushbone. I spend many weeks farming named in the area, helping other players, training mobs to the zone-line while praying that no one was AFK at the entrance. Was some of the best fun I have had in my decade of gaming. :)
100% Darkelf
# Dec 22 2013 at 3:24 PM Rating: Decent
My favorite location is Darklight Wood. I love the atmosphere created by the mixture of colors. Envy's Hate is my favorite place inside the woods. I would really appreciate to get housing into that place sometime... ;)
I very often walk throw the woods just looking who's around and whats happening there.
Favorite Location In EQ2
# Dec 22 2013 at 2:34 PM Rating: Decent
I have been playing the EQ franchise since the open beta of EQ. I think my favorite place was Everfrost with all the little goblins running around showing butt cracks. I beta tested EQ2 and have been playing it ever since. As my characters leveled and evolved, my prefered areas in the game migrated. But if I had to pick one favorite area it would be Willow Wood. All my characters, save one, had a one room appartment in the Willow Wood Inn. It was conviently located across from the bank and easy to navigate. They have all moved into a manor since, but I still have the fondest memories of my beginnings. The one place I feared the most was the first time I steped through the gates of Qeynos into Antonica and there was nothing but 'red' mobs roaming just outside the gates. I think every location in EQ2 has its own charm, but the beginnings left the strogest impressions.
fave EQ
# Dec 22 2013 at 2:05 PM Rating: Decent
Scholar
41 posts
I've been playing Everquest since September 1999. My favorite zone back then had to have been Crushbone. The trains to Greater Faydark were CRAZY! Doing the armor and weapon quests...noone back then had any idea, it was all trial and error. Multiple deaths kept us popping back in Kelethin then having to run back and get our corpses and gear.

Now, though, I think my favorite is Steamfont for no other reason then the music...its just uplifting and seems...adventuresome :)
First location that came to mind...
# Dec 22 2013 at 1:57 PM Rating: Decent
Given time to think about it, I don't think I can pick a single favorite place among all of the great memories, from the many many hours I've spent in Norrath over the years. For that reason, I'm going to elaborate on the very first location that came to mind when I read the topic. My first favorite location that came to mind is Highpass. This narrow passage through the mountains dividing the continent was where I spent some awesome time chatting with my first ever EQ guild, the Champions of Norrath. As we camped Gnolls and Orcs, for what seemed like weeks. In those days, leveling was so slow, Highpass camping was so competitive, and the drops were so sparse, that we were there forever, hanging out, chatting amongst ourselves, and honestly accomplishing very little. But we enjoyed every minute of it anyway. A while later, once we'd outleveled the zone, it was fun to participate in Gnewby Gnome races to Highpass! Everyone would create a brand new gnome, and race from Ak'Anon to the Keep at Highpass, winners had to still be level 1 when they arrived, and this was before any Nexus, PoK books or translocators existed to speed the way. I'm inspired now. It may be time for a gnewbie gnome race to Highpass now...
My favorite place
# Dec 22 2013 at 1:14 PM Rating: Good
44 posts
I must say that while I don't go there on anywhere approaching even a yearly basis, my favorite place goes back to my roots and was the city of Kelethin.

Back then we didn't have maps. You had to /loc everything. You had to wander from one lift to another trying to get your bearings, hoping somehow the priest of discord wouldn't whack you.

There were no cues about the quest givers - you ran up to NPCs and just tried to hail them. It's an absolutely beautiful city. I think they tried to build such cities with PRo but nothing ever came close to the distinctive picture of Kelethin.
Obviously nostalgic reasons
# Dec 22 2013 at 12:57 PM Rating: Decent
EQ /EQ2 both? Probably Blackburrow.
I started out playing EQ1 when I was 9 or so, so I'm super nostalgic about what I did back then.
Which was? Mostly camping the snake ledge in blackburrow.

When I started playing EQ2? One of my first questions was "Is Blackburrow in this game?"
when I got a yes, I ran there and started using it to level.

Notable mentions in EQ1 - Kurn's tower and East Cabilis (not West, ***** the necromancers!)
EQ2 - Wailing Caverns as I spend way too much time here, and Temple of Cazic thule, being the place I spent an entire weekend in farming all of the lore book quests. Every time I thought I was done, a new one dropped and I'd happily spend another hour killing random grey cons.
Always hated the zone in EQ1 but in EQ2 it's so much fun.

Okay, so I gave the top 5, but I always was longwinded!
My favourite zone...
# Dec 22 2013 at 12:38 PM Rating: Good
*
53 posts
My favourite zone is PoK. Sometimes, I get so caught up in tells and guild chit chat that I realize I have been online for 2 hours and I haven't even moved yet, and yet I am enjoying my game, or rather the EQ1 gaming community. It's all about the people, and other games just aren't going to have that for me. =)
____________________________
Kshipper Master Mage http://www.magelo.com/eq_view_profile.html?num=274568
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