EQ-IQ Show #4 Lore and Legends Part I

EQ-IQ Show #4 covers a preview of Game Update 47. The host covers part one of two of the Lore and Legends Quests. This show discusses the mechanics behind the quests and the rewards as well as the location of twenty of the books and the best places to hunt the mobs for the quest updates.

Links:
http://www.jodygnant.com/
http://www.jetpackmissing.com/

Email:
EQ-IQ@eq2-guides.com

Stay turn for details on the upcoming EQ-IQ Scavenger hunt and a chance to get a free copy of the Rise of Kunark all-in one expansion pack or a 30-day SOE Game Card. The winner of the hunt will have a choice in which giveaway they would like and the runner-up will receive the other give away.

Everquest is a trademark owned by Sony Online Entertainment, Inc. This site has no official connection with Everquest or Sony Online Entertainment. This event is not sponsored or endorsed by Sony Online Entertainment. This is solely a fan based contest fully funded by the owner of this website.

I am here and very much alive. No Pod fading here! It’s been two weeks with no updates but I have been very hard at work on the next couple of shows. As I said in my last show there would be times I did not get the show out exactly within two weeks. This is one of those times. Real life got in the way and I became very sick this week with a strong cough. Which meant no voice. I am almost over it now so I should be recording soon.

The next show is going to be covering the Lore and Legend quests. The main topics to cover are a description of the mob, where to get the quest, what level should you be, where the best locations to hunt the mobs are and what type of reward will you receive. At first I felt there was just too many of these to fit into one show so I was going to split it up. I since changed my mind I felt I could get these into one show. That made the show not ready for release since I was now missing some of the researched content. And I did not want to just throw together a show unprepared just to make a self imposed deadline. I want the quality of the shows to remain high so a couple more days of preparation is worth it. I have been saying all along I have several shows I am working on but the problem is they all incomplete. Soon I will be in the opposite situation where I will have plenty of show content ready to record.

I will be putting out at least 2 shows this week so stay tuned!

EQ-IQ Show #3 Zone Series (The Sinking Sands)

Show # 3 is the first in a series of shows that cover Zones. This show the host covers the Desert of Flames zone The Sinking Sands. Some of the topics covered are the named mobs, quest lines, collections, harvesting locations, points of interests and much more. The show also has a quick walkthrough of the zone with tips on where to solo and what to watch out for when traveling in the Desert. Game Update 46 is also discussed as well as the live event Gathering Tempest. A special shoutout goes to the new EQ-IQ sponsor Daonii!!

Downloads:
Comming Soon!

Links:
http://nostalgiatheguild.org/
http://www.journeyswithjaye.com/
Guild Recruitment listing (EQ2)
Guild Recruitment listing (EQ1)

Email:
EQ-IQ@eq2-guides.com

It’s been a while since I posted an update. This week’s show will be evolving once again with some new segments. I have not given them a name just yet but they will be more or less sections that cover quick topics in both Everquest and Everquest 2. Some of those topics could cover a small zone, small quests or even a tips and tricks. Tipa from West Karana also had a good suggestion in that I should introduce a topic that compares the original Everquest zones with the new ones found in EQ2. I think I will call this segment “Then and Now”. I figured it would not always be good to devote the whole show to just one topic. The core of the show will always be the main subject of the show and reside at the second half of the show. I am also still looking for some listener segments that I can also insert into the show. I would love some in both Everquest and Everquest 2. Please send me an email if you’re interested. 

Also I am proud to announce I am now a part of the Virgin Worlds Podcast Collective. Thanks to Brent and Troy whom I have consulted during my development of the EQ-IQ show for allowing this to happen.

This week’s show will be covering the mid level zone of The Sinking Sands. This zone was introduced with the Desert of Flames expansion pack released in 2005. The zone was most closely tied to the Desert of Ro from the original Everquest. I am about ready to start to record the show but need to brush up on some of the content. Stay tuned!

EQ-IQ Show #2 Quest Series (In Honor and Service)

Show # 2 is the first in a series of shows that cover quests. The host covers news about the community’s reactions to the Living Legacy promotion as well as some of his in game activities around Nostalgia the Guild adventures in the original Everquest. The main content of the show covers a detailed walkthrough of the Heritage Quest called In Honor and Service.

Downloads:

In Honor and Service Walkthrough (107)

Links:
http://nostalgiatheguild.org/
http://www.journeyswithjaye.com/

Email:
EQ-IQ@eq2-guides.com

Show #2 will be available June 15th and will be the first show in the Quest Series covering the Heritage Quest “In Honor and Service”. This tier 2 Heritage Quest is idea for new players wanting to earn some excellent status points for your guild. The level requirements are low in comparison to other Heritage Quest’s and you can successfully do this quest with two or more friends around level 16-20. Of course anyone of higher level can always earn the status and Alternate Achievement points at any level but as with all quests they are usually more fun to complete at their intended level.

Some classes can solo this quest as low as 16-17 especially if you are a crowd controlling class such as the Enchanter or Coercer. The quest can get quite tricky towards the end as the encounters are linked with 3 to 4 mobs engaging all at once and some are Heroic. This quest is fun and there is a ton of lore however some stages of the quest can leave you wondering where to go next. I will try to help with that problem with the Podcast this week as well as the written step by step walkthrough guide full of spoilers.

Also this week I will be covering the News and a possible new and exiting announcement of the shows future home! Can you say Collective?

Now that the first show is up and running I would like to take a quick poll on what you would like to hear in future shows! I would like to start using polls as a quick way to gather some feedback from those whom don’t like to leave comments or email.

I will create more detailed polls based on the results of other polls likle this one. Please help shape the show and its content!

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

EQ-IQ Show #1 EverQuest 101

This Inaugural EQ-IQ Podcast introduces the host Dave and discusses the basics of Everquest 2 covering topics like the history of expansion pack releases, the lore, Classes, Races, Quest types and much more. This is the first of a bi-weekly podcast that will be aimed at guiding new and veteran players alike thru the world of Norrath.

Links:
http://eq2.eqtraders.com/articles/news_page.php
http://eq2.allakhazam.com/

Music:
www.jimbluemusic.com

Email:
EQ-IQ@eq2-guides.com

Well it’s been awhile since I have posted my progress. I am close to having the first show up and running shortly. I had a little bit of a set back this week. I seem to have caught a very nasty common cold from my son which stole my voice so I had to stop working on the show. I am 2/3 of the way thru the content of show #1. The reason this is taking so long is due to the fact that I am taking my time. I am in no rush to produce the show. I only made a goal I felt that was reasonable to obtain which was June. I also have been planning several shows at once and rerecording segments of the show for various reasons. After all I want a solid show #1.

I am starting to pull things together and the recording sessions are getting easier. I am finding it quite hard to keep the length of the show around 1 hour in length. Even when I am trying not to dive to deep into the subject matter it seems I am under estimating how much content is there to be discussed. I think show #1 will be about 90 minutes.

I was talking about the Podcast with a Tipa over at West Karana and we were discussing some of the topics I choose to cast on in the early going of the show. One of the zones I wanted to cast about is Antonica. She thought that was an unusually choice since everyone knows that Timorous Deep is by far the best starting zone in EQ2. Yes I know this to be true but if I do a show right out of the gate on the best zone for newbie’s then when I did get around to Antonica it would seem so dull. I wanted to talk about topics that I was solid with to help me become more comfortable with podcasting in general. Then once I was more comfortable with the casting I can move onto more glamorous and complex topics down the road. Not all is lost by discussing the old zones since there is a bit of nostalgic value to the show on Antonica. Plus I hope to discuss or touch on points that may not be common knowledge such as the new Quest line that was put into place back in GU43 called the Gnoll Investigation Series of quests. Over 17 quest were added to the old zone.

Well I may have the show ready before June 1st however I need to run some tests on the RSS feeds and a few things so June 1st may still be the date I stick too.

Today I decided to work in the shows banner or logo. I have also recorded some of show number one last night. So far things are moving along very nicely now.  My recording session was very productive and I think I am getting more comfortable with speaking into the microphone. Once I get a routine down these shows should be produced more effortlessly. I am shooting to record some more of show number one today if at all possible. I would love nothing more than to completely record the show so I can begin editing it. I am still way ahead of the scheduled release of June 1st.
 
Last night I was also rolling another character in the original Everquest to possibly use in the Nostalgia Guild I am in. Not sure they need a Magician but I may just use that alt just to explore the world with. I was running quests in the Gloomdeep mines when this player kept sending me invites to group. I accepted but the guy would not talk and just keep trying to get me to help kill mobs way out of my league. Finally I disbanded and set him to ignore. Later he was still trying to get me to group so I join since I was a little higher in level now and again this guy seem to not have a clue. Then out of the blue he gave me 100 plat. So I stayed in the group and tried to help a bit. He seem to be goofing off more than anything and still did not seem to have a clue to what he was doing. I went on my way while still in the group and here he came again and gave me another 100 plat. Not sure what the guy wanted but I certainly can use the 200 plat!! After that he logged off and I decided to head out and into Crescent Reach.

Finally real life has given me a chance to post an update. All is still on track even though I lost some productive time this week. Spring time is here and sport activities are in full swing. Anyways I am on track for the June 1^st release date of the Podcast. This week I plan to get some shows in the books and edited. Also need to create the Logo for the show for iTunes.

In the meantime I have got myself into a nostalgic guild with Tipa over at West Karana. We play EQ1 each Friday night. It is a lot of fun and it’s not too late to get in on the fun. If you ever wanted to go thru the original Everquest content from the ground up this is your chance. We meet On Fridays at 7pm EST and there is another group that plays on Tuesdays. Check out West Karana. for more details.

I think by getting involved in this guild it will only enhance the EQ-IQ shows, it will give me a deeper look into the lore of EQ and how it relates to the EQ2 universe. I am planning to work to add more content to the Website as well in the coming days so stay tuned!

While doing some research for some upcoming shows I came across some very cool Quest tracking sheets made by ripchi from a website called Council of the Five. (http://www.ripchi.com/cotf/index.htm)

These are very useful and will be mentioned in the upcoming Podcast. 

Well another week has gone by and I have made some progress with the podcast. I was able to record a 15 minutes segment just to find my podcast voice and practice my audio recording/editing. It seems I had a number of common mistakes and I am glad I spent the weekend recording these test casts.

First I was struggling with finding the right levels on the mixer. I had either too much reverb or bass. While listening to the playback in my Zune I started to hear more mistakes such as too much breathing sounds, pops and the S’s were very noticeable. I also expected I would have a lot of uhmss and ahhs but I found out that editing them is not all that bad. I had some lip-smacking as well. This too was editable.

I did some research on how to reduce these common mistakes so I feel very confident that I can get this under control. I seemed a bit nervous at first so I had to record several times before I started to get a good flow for the content. All in all I learned a lot this weekend that should improve the final recordings. I will make the necessary adjustments and try to get a complete show recorded here soon. I am still on track for the June 1st release date I set for myself. I will see you soon.

I have decided to open the forums. I have had a few people register and I figured since I am getting very close to recording the first shows I should open up the boards for feedback and suggestions. I have never posted this but my original plan was for the 1st show to be up and running on June 1st. I am very glad that I set that date as a goal since it has taken me a bit of time to get everything setup and stay on track without too much pressure. I have written topics for 7 shows and have been researching many topics for those shows.

It may not seem like I have done much other than post a small update each week but once the shows start flowing I hope you will all have a quality show that was well thought out. Then again that’s why I want to open the forums so I can fine tune the shows before my June 1st date. I will post a more detailed listing of the show format in the forums to get things started.

Stay tuned in the next few weeks as there will be a lot of activity here at the EQ2-Guides.

It’s been over a week since I last posed and no I have not faded yet. Very much has been done behind the scenes to solidify the show. I have now planned out 6 shows and been doing much research on the content. I have also decided on the format. The shows will start off at least as a series of podcasts. Each show can be one of any of the following series and more.

Deity Quest Series
Learning Series
Class Series
Zone Series
Tips Series
Quest Series
RAID Series
Social Series
Tradeskill Series
PVP Series
Etc…

Shows will follow the naming format for the RSS feeds as follows:

EQ-IQ Show#6 – Tips Series (Making Gold)

I wanted to be more focused within each show instead of having segments around these same topics. This list is not all inclusive and there will be more series to come. If this format does not work out or is not found to be very popular I can always incorporate these series shows into segments of a single show. I have listened to many podcasts and really haven’t found many shows that focus on one topic. Instead I here a lot of shows that are segmented which is quite fine however with so much information I have on various topics I don’t want to short change the listener when my goal is to be a podcast of information and practical guides. I want to go deep into some of these topics. So by electing to go with shows based on Series I can be quite flexible with my topics. I hope this will allow me to keep the information fresh. This also gives the advanced listener a choice if they do not want to listen to shows based on the newbie topics or the noob the choice of not listening to the topics on RAIDS etc.

This weekend I installed a new hard drive with 500 GB of extras space. I need this extra space for the PodCasts among other things (games). While I was at it I decided to rebuild my entire machine so that pretty much shoot my entire weekend. It was well worth it since it gave me a chance to organize my computer more efficiently.

I also created a copy of the website on my local computer. I can now use this to test out changes to the website with out messing with the live site. I also upgraded the site to the new Wordpress 2.5. It was not as difficult as I suspected and everything seems to be stable with the site so far.

I am very much still planning and researching for some shows that will be recorded soon. I am trying to stock pile the content so when I get things up and running I will be able to account for issues that arise at the same time keeping the flow of shows moving. There will be some guides that I will post soon as a result of my research. Stay tuned.

I could no longer stand it. The Wordpress theme I loved seemed to be loved by other great EQ2 Websites http://mmoquests.com/ and http://westkarana.com/. Check them out. I love those sites. However I could not possibly use the same theme as them since they were here first and no matter how much I was customizing the theme it still resembled the other two sites. Then again you could make a case that all Wordpress themes look alike. I did come across this excellent theme by Milo I have not seem many other places as of yet that use this particular one. I am able to customize this theme much better using the well designed CSS files that Milo has authored.

I wanted to let those whom are reading these posts (which are not many atm) that I am very much hard at work on this site and the Podcast. I have been researching some new topics for the shows and trying to compile some of this information in to some new guides that I will be posting very soon. Also I have been listening to many other Podcasts to feel the way they are done. Some have inspired me while others have taught me what not to do. Oh and most importantly I have been playing a lot of EQ2 lately on the Antonia Bayle Server!! Stay tuned!

ka·ta·gel·o·pho·bi·a — n.  1.  The fear of ridicule.

When in the EQ2 chat channels have you ever wondered what the hell RoV or even BB meant? I became tired of always asking people in the chat channels “what is RoV?” Of course this makes me look like a noob (new player) so I pulled together some of the most common abbreviations used in the EverQuest 2 chat channels. I compiled this list from many different site forums as well as the chat channels themselves. Feel free to download this sheet and print it out. This list defines the more common abbreviations used for the Zones and Dungeon Instances of EQ2.  Enjoy!

EQ2 Zone Reference List (143)

 

 

With a nice week of relaxation it’s time to get back to the planning of the podcast. I hope this week I will at least record a pilot show or even the very first show. I am close to finishing the outline and show notes.  I have to still work out how the format of the show will be developed. This takes time and I want to do it right. I also want to set the right tone for the show from the get go.

In addition to the audio podcast I have been playing around with FRAPS this week and have been considering releasing video podcasts. I use to edit and create animation for DVDs (Not professional) as a hobby so I figure I could use some of my video editing experience and throw together some useful podcast guides. I am sure I will be working on at least one of these podcast this week.  

I also am still hard at work on learning CSS and PHP so I may really customize this website temple. I need to make this site a little more unique. There are many sites out there that use this Wordpress theme because it has an excellent layout.  Once I get more proficient with CSS and PHP I may design my own theme. Well that is it for this brief update!

Well I have been offline for three days now. Here in Northeast Ohio we have suffered a very serious ice storm that has toppled many trees and power cables this week. It was a surreal event. It was about 1:30 in the morning when I continued to here strange noises of debris hitting the roof of the house. We had lost power earlier that evening due to the ice. I went out to investigate and to my disbelief tree limbs were falling every couple of minutes all around the street. There is a small forest along my property line and you could here in the distance the cracking and collapsing of trees. It sounded like something out of the Blair Witch project. So we finally got the power back on this morning. It was a living hell let me tell you. No heat and no power were murder on us all. I spent most of yesterday sawing up the tree limbs that had fallen on to my property. I now seem to have a flu as a result of the events now. So obviously I have not worked much on the Podcast or site this week and worst of all we have another winter storm approaching. I think I will take this weekend to rest the best I can.

These are not pictures of my home!

I have been brainstorming very hard on how the format of the show will go. I know this much. It will be a solo show and not a social one such as the outstanding EQ2-Daily and EQ Perspectives. It will also be focused more on tips and tutorial in nature much like The Drone Bay but solo. I won’t comment much if at all on current events. That is what the other podcast are for. I will focus on content that can remain very relevant such as class comparisons. If a major update comes out and makes some of the previous tips or guides out of date I will re-record the show and replace or modify the original content to be more relevant.  

More research was done this weekend. I have been adding a lot of plug-ins for the site with lots of trial and error. These plug-in have lead to some more ideas on how this site will complement the existing excellent resources already out there for Everquest 2.

This site will still primarily create guides in the form of podcasts. The rest of the content here will be used to house all of the research material used to create each show. I hope to create physical guides that will go into greater detail than the podcast as a supplement to the show. I have even toyed with possibly creating short videocasts down the road as well since people learn in different ways. So by providing more than one way to absorb the information and not recreating the wheel is my #1 goal. There are plenty of top notch sites that document EQ 2 such as Eqtraders, Allakhazam , Stratics, Ten Ton Hammer, etc….

In addition there are plenty of outstanding Podcasts as well such as EQual Perspectives and EQ2-Daily. Both of these Podcast are much different to the one I will be creating. Again my goal is to complement them and not compete with them.

Work continues on the format of the website now that I have settled on a theme and a cms. So far Wordpress is working out quite well for what I am trying to accomplish. I have setup some plug-in’s for forums, galleries, a download section to include all of the guides and most importantly the podcast section using Podpress. I am also working hard on modifying this current theme to suit my needs.  Looks like I need to pull out my books on PHP so I can extend the functionality of this theme even further. I have been working on several banners and color schemes that will automatically change each time someone visits the site.

I have secured music for my podcast.  I work with a great guy that just happens to be an independent musician and I have asked for his permission to use his work in my podcast. He may even create a theme song for me as things develop. Check his work out by going to www.JimBlueMusic.com

 I know that many people will not know much about this site and its efforts since I am not currently promoting it but I will continue to post here as I work to the ultimate goal of getting the 1st podcast up and posted. Perhaps I will start to be noticed and maybe get some feedback on the direction of the site as it is developed. I will post more information again soon.

This will be the home site of a new Podcast called EQ-IQ about Everquest 2. Also there will be guides that will support the content of the podcasts that can also be used with out listening to the podcast. There will be more information soon to follow.