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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My favorite Everquest Zones.
# Dec 20 2013 at 4:59 PM Rating: Good
When it comes to my favorite zone, I have to think back when I first started playing the original EQ. My first favorite would probably Kithicor Forest. So many times I had to haul *** out of that place when night time fell. Lots of fun back in the day in that zone. Second, Guk was an amazing zone in the original EQ, the trains where by far the most epic. Caused alot of deaths, but the risk vs. rewards was really good. Third, learning to effectively fear kite in the Overthere, when the very first expansion came out for EQ, was an amazingly great time. I play EQ2 now and have alot of fun playing, but there where some amazing things in the early days of EQ that can't be recreated. Granted the visuals in the new EQ2 are far superior, but there is something to be said for the simplistic things that first enticed me to fall in love with the game of Everquest. I have been hooked ever since, and probably will as long as I am able to log-in and enjoy everything the world of Norrath has to offer.
Snowy plains
# Dec 20 2013 at 4:58 PM Rating: Good
Remember the feeling you first entered the Gnome ship which brings you to the snowy lands of velious? The Feeling when you past the gigantic white bridge to EW?
Killing Rygorrs in EW near the Bridge, always having the chance to flee back to the other side. Camping there for hours looking for lot an exp. and always you have this Little cute bunnies around you. EW has some much to explore so many Details, i just love hanging around there even now i visit it from time to time, way to high level for this :)
Favorite Place.
# Dec 20 2013 at 4:56 PM Rating: Good
Unfortunately, I don't get the chance to play nearly as much as I used too although I try to get in as much as possible. I played for a little bit a few years ago and then when I heard about the transition to f2p I was drawn back. I wish I could pick a few areas but since it asks for just one, I would have to say that my favorite is the city of Kelethin. I love the feel of the entire area, there are a ton of quests to keep you very busy during the lower levels and the real fear of falling is a constant reminder of how easy it is to make a simple mistake and end up dead because of it.
MMO
# Dec 20 2013 at 4:52 PM Rating: Good
EQ1 has been my friend for a very long time.
i honestly do not see me leaving the game.
sony keeps coming up with new games, but EQ1 was my first love.
any other mmo game will be compared to EQ1, and i am a ruff judge.
so EQ1 always wins.
would like to thank Sony for keeping me occupied all these years.
You certainly did a very good job making EQ1


Life, Friends, and stumbling blindly.
# Dec 20 2013 at 4:52 PM Rating: Good
28 posts
I, like so many many others, began with a wood elf ranger - who fell to his death so many times that I ended up deleting him before ever fighting anything.
Next was the Half-Elf ranger, who after 15 minutes of roaming blindly - found his way out of Surefall, and died instantly to a GM-Event undead giant.

I tried a few others briefly, until one day I was playing a Gnome and came across a blue lady with a pet skeleton who was actually Killing the Guards!
I was stunned that it was even possible, and when she allowed me to loot some of them I decided immediately that I was going to be Rich once I made my own necromancer and started selling all of those fine steel weapons.

In my early days, I became fascinated with factions, and met my first close game-friend in Rivervale, A Halfling Druid named Lipan. Shorty after, I made another friend of a Troll Shaman named Smiley.
The day I ventured into West Commons to hunt a giant - and found the two of them already grouped and hunting there - I started to feel "at Home" in EverQuest.
I have long since lost contact with both of them, but the memories remain.


I can't count the number of times I have heard people say "It's only a game." - but for some of us, who can't go out into the world at large for whatever reason, it is real enough.
The friends we make are real people - even if we never see them face to face, and the experiences we have in the game are no less important or valuable than sitting with someone to watch a movie or have a conversation.

It is all experience, and in the end, that is all life is - a collection of experiences.
Life, Friends, and stumbling blindly.
# Dec 21 2013 at 6:23 AM Rating: Decent
11 posts
As my guild leader said while us occifers were discussing something "We're family. We're always family. We'll love and care and mourn and fight like family. We're just the family that has never met face to face yet." A not so subtle hint to go to Live, me thinks.

The first 6 months of EQ, for me, were chatting with friends IRL about this wonderful new game (back in 99). Then I joined one of them in a guild, which disbanded. Then I joined a guild that would run from 2001? to . . . the board is still on yuku and a few of us still post there and on FB or G+. The next guild I had was a raiding crew, a few close people but not many. And then the last 5 years have been spent with this family. Every bad pun, dirty joke, or RL crisis; we've even called each other. No, really, picked up the phone or skype and called or texted or anything else. Some of us are on first name basis; others aren't; all is still good.

If it had been a "pick the moment that exemplifies what EQ means to you," it's all the families I've had. There is nothing that makes it a family more than knowing that no matter the time, the phone might ring or someone is on the other end available to talk to even if no one is logged in at the moment.
Plane of Hate
# Dec 20 2013 at 4:49 PM Rating: Good
Gosh, So many zones to choose from, it's hard to pick one single area!

I would have to say my all time favorite zone is the Plane of Hate from Everquest. The haunting atmosphere and the design of the zone were just so unique to that game. the mobs were very easy to kite around also even at lower levels, so I would literally live in that zone for a good 20 levels before moving on. This zone was also the VERY first time i had ever come across a giant hand with teeth (!!!). The Hand of the Maestro was the very first raid level boss I had ever soloed. That in itself is a memory I will never forget! =)
my fav places
# Dec 20 2013 at 4:47 PM Rating: Good
Pick one location. I can't! There are to many. In Everquest, my favourite place was butcherblock. At the boats.
The best place in Everquest II would have to be a tie between three places. I loved Freeport (OLD one). The feel was just so...rustic and evil that I liked.

Then there is Enchanted Lands. It was just so beautifully done that it was one of my favourite hang around places. I always went there to just puts around. I would harvest there for hours just enjoying the scenery.

The last place would have to be easily be My house. (I know I know, its not a zone, but it was mine!) I loved playing in there for hours just moving furniture around.

Lithran
The Bridge
# Dec 20 2013 at 4:46 PM Rating: Good
Its all about the Bridge.
I remember my very first time passing it. Born in Erudins woods, grew up in Qeynos and its sewers, I never got much sun light on my brown skin. Ive been to the Karanas many times before I even saw the Bridge. Karanas always meant fear to me. "Go through it, before the Griffin gets you", ive been told. And so I ran as fast as I could, staying close to the river and following it to the south getting a hunt down on the aviaks, before they hunt us... No, Im not talking about this Bridge. Not the Guarded White One, with its Qeynos Guardians on it and so close to the spires that there was always a Wizard getting rid off the tail you´ve been chased by. No, thats really a safe spot instead of what I´m trying to remind you on. Remember that Griffin we been told to stay away from? Remember ever saw a Hill Giant crossing a street? Never run into an ogre camp by accident? Ever got dispelled your Spirit of Wolf from that fat Chief Goonda? Keep on running. Dont breath. Cough. Go West. Go straight through West Karana, till you see the Bridge. The Wooden Life Saving Bridge. Youll make it. Stop thinking, who build it. Stop thinking from what trees came those big logs from. Just run. When you feel the sun, when you see the golden sun, feel its last warm rays before going down, youll be safe. Keep on running....half way to Freeport done....
My beginning life in Norrath
# Dec 20 2013 at 4:41 PM Rating: Decent
14 posts
My first adventures in Norrath began as a wee lad in the mighty Dwarven city of Kelethim. I was born a Paladin, and I ventured on many quests throughout the lands until word of a holy sword spread throughout the land. Sadly, many were stymied by an old beggar in Freeport who wanted a nice bottle of bog juice to drink. For many weeks, people across the land tried their hardest to come up with a recipe for the vile drink until one day I stumbled upon the recipe by accident at the brewing keg. Immediately the cry went up and many more powerful Paladins than I were able to proceed with finding this holy of holy swords.

To this day, though, my favorite zone is The Ocean of Tears. I spent SO MUCH TIME crossing that ocean...
EQ1 Favorite location
# Dec 20 2013 at 4:39 PM Rating: Good
I have many fond memories of EQ1 and many special zones. The one that sticks out still to this day is lower Guk. After being away from the game for nearly 10 years i can still remember every location and spawn point in that dungeon. I was an ogre SK and would pull all the names for my group. Running around non stop providing fresh kills for my group. I would bet even after all of these years i could find my way around almost as if i had been there and roamed those halls.
I just recently returned to EQ2 after a 7 year break and i have fallen in love all over again.
IKSAR!
# Dec 20 2013 at 4:35 PM Rating: Good
my favorite zone would have to be Field of Scale. The reason i like this zone is i remember doing the raid here a while back and killing all the iksars then having the dragons turn on us and having to kill them also that was really cool.but know i days i go in there with my ranger to headshot those iksars ( man i hate iksars). I'm hoping to see iksars in EQnext that would be fun to see how they look(and die),but in all i still enjoy EQ 1 and i cant wait to see what is more to be in stored for us in the future.
Isle of Dread
# Dec 20 2013 at 4:28 PM Rating: Good
My very first adventures into the world of Norrath began in Everquest Online Adventures, a game sadly no longer playable. It was actually my very first MMO and thus holds a lot of nostalgia value for me. It had a lot of cool zones but the one that was the coolest was the Isle of Dread. It had all sorts of really spooky things in it from bugs that poisoned you for an insane amount of damage, to swarms of blades that would eat your face and everything in between. It was also the home of one of my favorite deities, Cazic-Thule, although he wasn't actually killable in game for a very long time after the zone came out. I still remember using the lag from logging in to bypass an invisible wall to get down just to see him, even if I couldn't do anything to him.

This zone was also my first intro into raiding and all the joys and perils that involves. I experienced all the lag, the lack of coordination, the frustration of your 20th wipe at 10% because the tank got one shotted. And yet I also experienced the relief of finally killing that boss, winning that much needed upgrade, even getting the experience from the group doing the most overall damage, as that was how the kills were determined. This was all on a PS2 so there were no parses, no logs, no ACT copy+paste to show how good/bad people were being.

Later on, after Frontiers came out and the zone was considerably weaker because we were all 10 levels higher, this zone brought new challenges in the form of my necromancer seeing what I could solo. Could I manage to heal my pet through Impale's 4kish damage nuke? Could I manage to pull the named swarm of blades away from the 30 boars that were very likely to add before my pet went squish? Was there any way to keep Zin the Dessicator from healing? All these were quite fun trial and error questions that made me a better player. In fact the zone in general made me a better player and it's carried through all the MMOs I've played since. It's been a solid foundation for over 11.5 years of all the challenges and rewards this genre has to offer, and I probably wouldn't be the player I am today without it.
Isle of Dread
# Dec 21 2013 at 2:15 AM Rating: Decent
That place was def scary! Swimming in the water and getting owned, roving adds killing you if you weren't careful. Ahh good stuff
Lesser Faydark
# Dec 20 2013 at 4:27 PM Rating: Good
Scholar
*
50 posts
Now, my favorite zone isn't an easy choice. In terms of beauty, Jaggedpine Forest wins hands down. But, the Lesser Faydark had such an air of foreboding and unknown to it that it drew me in. At first, it was terrifying and dangerous; there were orcs, undead, and brownies. But, then I started learning more about the zone, more about what had happened there. Before I started playing in 2003, there'd been a battle between the Gods, which had twisted the forest. And then the most terrifying creature in the forest, Equestrielle the Corrupted, because the most tragic. For whatever reason, I always go back and visit that zone on my druid. Even now that it holds no terror for me, I still like to see it as it was and remember.

This was from EverQuest 1, obviously. In EverQuest 2, the zone is too open and bright to invoke the same fear it once did.
The Oasis of Marr
# Dec 20 2013 at 4:24 PM Rating: Good
It had to have been in Everquest's first year. The place that has always stood out in my mind is the tall columns in the water of the shoreline in Oasis of Marr. We climbed up as high as we could and watched the n00bs get trained by Sand Giants it was always a great time laughing and talking on the second phoneline. Being amazed as we watched the sunset. How real it all looked. How much fun it was to just be online with your buds.
Kedge Keep
# Dec 20 2013 at 4:24 PM Rating: Good
Kedge Keep is one of my favorite zones. This is only because of the fact that I am a Erudite Wizard. Ever since the Epic 1.0 quest, I have always been fond of killing Phinigel Autropos. Of course, it has been much more delightful in the past than it is now. Back in the olden days when you needed a raid to kill Phinny and had to own a batwing earring for the Endure Breath. Not only did everyone have the earring or another Endure Breath item, so you needed at least a handful of Druids to cast this spell on those unfortunate few. There were many deaths due to this fact. The memories have always been great from these raids. It took me several tries to finally get my Epic 1.0 item from Phinny. I learned quite a bit about the zone during those times!
Song & Dance
# Dec 20 2013 at 4:23 PM Rating: Good
Long memories of Nektulos Docks....

It is where I, Song the Troubador, met Dance the Dirge on the Najena server in Everquest 2, From that point onwards we would engage in groups, chat, and finally to meet in real life!

We have been married 8 years now, and have two kids (7 year old girl and 2 year old boy). We still play Everquest 2. Though the server is now called Unrest, we are still there...

With long memories of Nektulos Docks =)

Song & Dance
Unrest Server
Favorite zone
# Dec 20 2013 at 4:21 PM Rating: Good
My favorite zone will always be Kelethin. It's my hometown for my character, easy access to PoK and the music for this area is beautiful.
I remember back in the day the GM's on the AB server (then it was Kane Bayle) would tell everyone a story about Norrath, Kelethin and how it came to be, if you sat and listened they would give everyone free cookies and milk.. it was the little things that kept me going back.
Also if you don't have levitation or Spirit of Eagle, you will fall to you're death, especially if you're character is drunk.. haha.
My favorite place
# Dec 20 2013 at 4:20 PM Rating: Decent
I would love to comment on some of the original Everquest zones, but I just cant remember anything from that game, it's been so long. A few months ago I returned to EQ2, and since my return there my favorite place would be, my guild hall. I belong to a great guild and the hall is a great place to meet up and shot the breeze before doing some questing or hunting down some baddies. But if I have to pick an adventure area I would have to say Vesspyr Isle. I've always loved new content, especially one where the instances are pretty close to each other.
Qeynos!
# Dec 20 2013 at 4:17 PM Rating: Good
I remember my first trip into Norrath! I was a human paladin in the city of Qeynos. It took me alot to muster the courage to travel even out the gates to go hunt rats and bats. While i was hunting rats and bat i came across a skeleton using a two handed sword and decided to attack it. Needless to say a level 2 cannot realy hope to defeat a level 5 with a weapon, so i was slain, helpless against the onslaught of the mighty rusty two handed sword! Needless to say in later weeks my experience improved and I moved on the my favorite zone in EQ and EQ2 Blackburrow! The long hours i spent griding away at the gnoll menace was great fun and in EQ2 the long hours grinding away at the people who were sided with good on my dark elf assassin! I hope there are many more moments like the ones I have had in EQ and EQ2 to come in EQN and EQN:L ! Blessings of Tunare to all and have a great holiday!
EQ1 favorite place
# Dec 20 2013 at 4:14 PM Rating: Good
Scholar
Avatar
49 posts
There are so many amazing zones in EQ, trying to nail down just one as a favorite was a hard decision. But the zone I chose is Karnor's Castle. As a young cleric it never took long to a find a group in KC. Whether it was in "CY1" , "CY2", "DT" (as EQ Atlas named them) we spent countless hours slaughtering scores of drolvargs, spectres and even those funky giant hands from the Hand Room. Loot was also decent for its time. I fondly remember the Supple Scale Armband I wore for so many levels. Also impossible to forget the legendary trains this place was famous for. And as often the engine for these trains, frantically trying to remember...Which way does everyone zone out again? Left or right?

Great times. Great groups. Great game.
Favorite Norath area
# Dec 20 2013 at 4:13 PM Rating: Good
I would have to go with Ruins of Varsoon in EQ2. I have many fond memories of that zone from way back in the day. It was a great zone to get gear, and XP. Now I normally skip it on new toons just because leveling is so fast, but I do miss it on occasion.
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