History and Lore (General)
The world of EverQuest II takes place in the Age of Destiny, a period in the future from the current EverQuest world.

Freeport has been taken over by the Freeport Militia and the paladins are now isolated in a new area known as Marr. Qeynos has defeated the rogues and now has a new city. The moon of the Vah Shir and the home of the Iksar are now gone, but the Iksar still remain. Vah Shir no longer roam the lands, but Kerrans have risen in their absence.

It is the dawn of a new age.

The world of Norrath has been rocked by mysterious cataclysms. The gods have been silenced. The ancient empires of the elder races lie in ruins, and their surviving populations have scattered, crossing the seas in search of shelter and leadership. Only humanity appears to have been spared from complete devastation.

The Human city of Freeport, under the undying eyes of Lucan DeLere, has become a haven for refugees from the evil empires. Dark Elves and Ogres have long been a fixture of Freeport society. Now the ranks of the Freeport Militia swell with Trolls, Iksar, Kerrans, Gnomes, Half Elves, Erudites and Ratongas. It is only a matter of time before their dark tide washes over all of Norrath.

The citizens of Qeynos seek to stem that tide. A beacon of strength and nobility, good beings from across Norrath have sought shelter on the shores of New Antonica and the guidance of Antonia Bayle. Joining the native Humans and Half Elves, the humbled but resilient Dwarves, Halflings, Kerrans, High Elves, Wood Elves, Erudites and Barbarians now stand united under the banner of Qeynos, and seek to restore hope to these shattered lands.

In the shadows, mysterious forces watch and wait. For now, as in times long past but not forgotten, heroes are revealing themselves across the face of Norrath. Whose causes will they champion? What secrets will they reveal? It is they who control the future of Norrath.

It is the dawn of a new age: The Age of Destiny

History and Lore :: Factions

Five hundred years have passed since the Sleeper was awakened, and a turbulent new era has fallen upon Norrath.

The world has been rocked by terrible cataclysms. Destruction has rained down from the skies. The gods of old are silent. The ancient empires of the elder races lie in ruins and their surviving populations have scattered, searching desperately for shelter and leadership. The human cities of Freeport and Qeynos-mysteriously spared the devastation inflicted upon the rest of Norrath-have become the havens for refugees from all across the Shattered Lands.

Freeport
The corrupt city of Freeport remains fixed in the undying grip of its eternal overlord, Lucan D'Lere. With the aid of his Lucanic Knights, D'Lere watches over the city and manipulates its ruling factions to extend Freeport's influence and domination. Evil races displaced by the Shattering now make their home within the city walls. The five strongest factions of Freeport all vie for individual power while doing their best to appease the dark will of the merciless Lucan.

The Freeport Militia - Military Might
The Freeport Militia is the primary defensive force of the city. It is made up of mercenaries, scoundrels, and roughnecks from around the globe. Its ranks consist mostly of recruits from local warrior guilds, taverns, and the borderlands. Most Militia members are Fighter types, but certain specialized units are comprised of other classes. The Militia has a long history of corruption and brutality. It still maintains this demeanor, but has become a more organized and efficient fighting force-one more fitting for the great trade city of Freeport. It is a highly skilled and organized army of the state, and one of the most powerful fighting forces on the face of Norrath. This organization is not bound to any deity or spiritual doctrine. Lucan himself formed the Militia ages ago.

The Dismal Rage - Heralds of the Divine
The Dismal Rage is a dark, sinister order that worships all evil deities. Within this single faction can be found a multitude of religious castes and beliefs, all unified by their dark goals. This order is founded on a strict doctrine that follows the Covenant of the Accursed, an ancient tome rumored to have been stolen from the Plane of Knowledge. This organization is deeply spiritual and insidiously evil. Priests and Crusaders are most often associated with the Dismal Rage, but other classes are also found within its ranks. Hate and Suffering are the driving forces of this organization, as is the will to bring faith back to a world that has seemingly been forsaken by the gods of old.

The Arcane Scientists - Keepers of the Arcane
This ancient order was once devoted purely to magic, but it has since become a massive repository of arcane knowledge and artifacts. Its members are an emotionless lot who seek knowledge over all else. Its roots lie in a blood-soaked past founded upon the massacre of all good members of the Academy and the introduction of the black arts. Any Freeport citizen who believes himself capable of passing the entrance exam may attempt to join the society's ranks. Upon acceptance, the new member must pledge to support the order through research and by seeking out lost arcane artifacts and knowledge within the world. No mercy will be given to anyone who stands in the way of the acquisition of mystical power, and no remorse shown for the lives that must pass in order to expand the Arcane Scientists' dominance.

The Seafury Buccaneers - Traders of Intelligence
A pirate organization based in the city of Freeport, the Seafury Buccaneers was founded by outlaws and scoundrels of the high seas. This unsavory lot found it profitable to assist in Freeport's defense by providing the Militia with intelligence gained through the raiding of enemy ships, for which they were allowed to keep most of what they plundered. The Buccaneers are more akin to pirates than a respectable naval force. They sink and commandeer ships, doing so under the protection of Lucan and the twisted laws of Freeport.

The Coalition of Tradesfolke - Commanders of Commerce
The Coalition is the unofficial governing body of all trade activity within the realm of Freeport, including any satellite communities that may sprout up within the claimed borders of the empire. The Coalition is, in fact, a highly organized crime syndicate and the most dangerous faction in Freeport: a relentless cartel that will stop at nothing to monopolize regional trade. It is a major force in the world market and is notorious for doing away with any competition, either by economic means or through sheer brutality. The Coalition employs a diverse legion of hit men and mercenaries of various classes to manipulate the global market in its favor.


Qeynos
Qeynos is a benevolent city that has opened its arms to those willing to work toward the betterment of society and the cleansing of evil from the Shattered Lands of Norrath. Standing as a beacon of strength and nobility, good beings from across Norrath have sought shelter under the guidance of Antonia Bayle. Assisting the valiant ruler of the Kingdom of Qeynos is the Circle of Five, a council made up of the leaders of the five major factions of the city.

The Qeynos Guard - Military Guardians
The military forces of the Qeynos Guard are separated into four divisions whose commanders report to a single General. The four divisions are the City Guard, the Tower Guard, the Qeynos Navy, and the Outland Brigade. The General takes orders from the Circle of Five, the city's ruling council of government. Soldiers receive their training through the Steel Warriors or the Order of Life.

The Celestial Watch - Defenders of the Divine
The Celestial Watch is a religious society made up of disciples of the now absent gods of benevolence and light. This order honors all good deities and is an extremely spiritual congregation. Members watch the skies for the return of their gods, preaching diligently that the deities of old are not gone forever. The Celestial Watch is a selfless organization that ministers to the physical and spiritual well-being of the good people of the Kingdom of Qeynos. It sometimes undertakes missionary crusades to distant lands to spread the word of the righteous.

The Concordium - Masters of the Arcane
The Concordium is a benevolent society of mages dedicated to spreading the positive influence of the arcane arts throughout Norrath. Its members love to entertain the people of Qeynos, and have been known to tour the lands giving demonstrations of their abilities. While embracing the lighter side of magic, they are extremely potent mages capable of wielding immensely destructive powers. The Concordium's mandate is to acquire all arcane knowledge lost in the Shattered Lands. Should they fail to do so, it will surely fall into the hands of evil.

The Tunarian Alliance - The Silent Sentinels
The Tunarian Alliance represents the unification of druidic, Scout, and woodsman organizations from across the Shattered Lands. Its members follow the Laws of Tunare-principles based on the teachings of the goddess of Growth. Members of the Alliance are defenders of the woodlands, often performing outland patrols beyond the edges of civilization. Their mastery of stealth and extensive ventures into the dangerous outskirts of the known world have made them skilled agents of espionage-silent watchers in the shadows.

The Ironforge Exchange - Chiefs of Commerce
The Ironforge Exchange is comprised of the artisans and merchants who own shops within the city of Qeynos. The leader of the Ironforge Exchange is a member of the Circle of Five, and is reported to by the trade masters of the port district and the farmlands. The merchants of Qeynos are always quick to lend a helping hand with any task that benefits the realm or its people. They often work together with the other factions in Qeynos, and have even been known to take a financial loss if doing so benefits the greater good. No amount of profit is worth more than the prosperity of all Antonicans

History and Lore :: Artifacts

Soulfire
The origins of this magical blade are the stuff of legend. It has been claimed by both paladins and shadow knights at various times in history and has felled opponents both treacherous and noble. Some claim that the souls of those slain by this weapon are trapped within the sword itself. It is said that if you look closely at the glinting metal under the bright sun, you can see subtle visages of faces shrieking in torment. This sword was originally found by dark elves in the Underfoot, and it remained in the Teir'Dal Empire for centuries before it was stolen by a band of adventurers. Taken from Neriak's vaults, it passed through many hands and eventually found its way to the great trade city of Freeport. Disassembled by some unknown entity, its pieces were scattered around Norrath. As its legend grew and adventurers attempted to find the sword, fragments were gradually discovered. Eventually one courageous paladin collected all the lost pieces, and the sword magically reassembled of its own will. The valorous Order of Marr knew its power and quickly hid it far from the empires of man in a secluded fortress called Marr. But it was again stolen and disappeared for years, eventually ending up in the hands of the Avatar of War as he led the Rallosian Empire in a massive assault on Freeport. At the Battle of Defiance the Avatar was slain, and Soulfire was snatched from his dead clutches by the evil ruler of Freeport - the fallen paladin known as Lucan D'Lere. To this day the Overlord wields its fiery blade to inspire fear in the hearts of his subjects.


The Cavalier
Long ago in the Age of Turmoil, the famed gnomish artist C.M. Brushwuttle was commissioned by the Knights of Truth and the Paladins of Marr in Freeport to create an iconic statue that could be used to represent the ideal of a valorous knight. To do this, Brushwuttle envisioned a gallant avatar, almost a god-like being that he called "The Cavalier." The face of the Cavalier would be partially shrouded by a cloak. This was done to represent the humility of the true knight as well as mask the knight's race - something that did not matter among the valorous. The Cavalier was heavily armored and held the hilt of a grand broadsword. The broadsword was actually patterned after the Sword of Faith, a sword once given to knight-lords of the Knights of Truth. The Cavalier was not aligned to any particular deity, but was intended to symbolize a figure of great faith. Thus the icon of the Cavalier was born.

The Knights of Truth and the Priests of Marr were overwhelmed by the powerful visage of the Cavalier. It was erected in a prominent place within their quarter of Freeport, and Brushwuttle was promptly commissioned to sculpt four more. Soon visiting knights to the city gazed upon the statue and were just as moved by it. New orders came in to Brushwuttle from numerous orders of knights. As time went on, the Cavalier became the iconic sculpture for valor and knighthood. It can be found in nearly every corner of the world where great knights gather, and even in the ruins where they once existed.

Known Locations:
The Commonlands: Just beyond the northern walls of Freeport lie the remains of what were once the original statues of the Cavalier. It was here that Lucan D'Lere, the Overlord of Freeport, ordered them dragged for a ritual desecration when he assumed complete control of the city. Rumor has it that one or more of the original statues were rescued from destruction and taken deep into the Commonlands where they now rest. Why and where have yet to be answered.

Qeynos Castle: Within the great city of Qeynos stands the grandeur of Qeynos Castle. Flanking its main entrance are two ancient Cavalier statues commissioned during the end days of the Age of War. The king ordered them placed at the main gates as iconic guardians of valor watching over the city. People often refer to these statues in tandem as the Sentinels of Valor.


Qeynos Claymore
This longsword has a mysterious past. Some claim it to be planar in origin. Regardless, the Qeynos Claymore is a very powerful weapon. The length of its magical blade is engraved with Void Glyphs - a form of written language dating back to the dawn of time. The sword was brought into the world of Norrath by Vallius Bayle and presented as a trophy to the ruling human clans of the Plains of Karana long before the founding of the city of Qeynos.

It was ages ago that the first man to be named Antonius Bayle earned a legendary sword called the Qeynos Claymore through a series of difficult challenges in tournaments held by the Paladins of Karana. With the legendary sword in hand, Antonius Bayle became a great hero and eventual unifier of the local human clans. He assisted in the founding and naming of the city of Qeynos in honor of that great sword, whose name is loosely translated from early human tongue to mean "Human Destiny." The city of Qeynos has proven the words engraved on the Qeynos Claymore to be true, as the human race has grown in size and expanded its influence upon the world of Norrath since the city's founding. Qeynos has become one of the greatest kingdoms on Norrath, earning the respect of many other empires and races.

Antonia Bayle
Race: Human
Gender: Female
Status: Ruler of Qeynos
Age: Mid to Late 20s
Marital Status: Single

Antonia Bayle is ruler of the kingdom of Qeynos. Born with the name Shirrana on a small island isolated for centuries by cataclysms, she had no idea that she was descended from the ruling house of Qeynos. When the cataclysms subsided and word reached her island that the Bayle family had been wiped out by disaster, the guardians of the young woman's secret finally revealed the truth of her destiny. Shirrana went to Qeynos with letters that proved her ancestry, and she began the process of learning how to be a leader. After several years of training, she assumed the title of Antonia and took the throne; she has led her city for over seven years.

Though only in her late 20s, Antonia Bayle is already an accomplished leader. Possessing an enigmatic charm and an undeniable beauty, she immediately commands the attention of all who see her. But she is far from just a pretty face; she proved soon after her arrival in Qeynos that she has a natural gift to inspire her people and make wise decisions regarding their future. She speaks from the heart and motivates her subjects to believe in their ability to achieve great things.

Antonia cares little for the accumulation of personal power, putting all of her time and energy toward the benefit of her city. To her, the past is simply prologue; she encourages her subjects to put aside old rivalries for the good of the future. She constantly emphasizes accomplishments over failures, believing strongly that people must move past their mistakes and learn to improve the lives of everyone around them.

In keeping with the tradition that no ruler of Qeynos should ever be called king (or queen), Antonia sees herself as a representative of her people. Though she does not shun her royal lineage, she portrays herself as a fellow citizen who faces the same challenges as the average person. Her speeches appeal to commoner and aristocrat alike, making clear that all people have a responsibility to one another, regardless of station. When speaking of the accomplishments of her people, she emphasizes that a victory for one is a victory for all. Antonia understands her people's need for faith, and so she encourages religious freedom. Though she advocates no specific deity herself, she sees any belief in a benign god to be a positive thing that can inspire people to do the right thing.

When speaking of the rival city of Freeport, Antonia is careful to direct her animosity at its leader, not its people. She openly despises Lucan D'Lere, who has attempted to deceive and mislead her multiple times in the past. She will portray him as the liar and manipulator that he is, but rarely depicts the people of Freeport as anything other than misguided. If a former follower of D'Lere renounces his evil ways and proves to have a desire to work toward the greater good, Antonia will accept him gladly and count such a conversion as a victory for Qeynos. She wants to see Lucan fall so that all citizens of Freeport have the opportunity to accept a new path, but she is wary of a costly war between the cities.

Though kind and giving by nature, Antonia Bayle is extremely willful and does not back down from what she knows to be the right thing to do. While open to compromise in many areas, she will not negotiate her belief in justice. She is a formidable ruler who has earned the respect of those around her by being that rare combination of idealist and pragmatist, believing a better future is possible only through hard work and unity - as well as the judicious use of force.


Lucan D'Lere
Race: Human Liche
Gender: Male
Status: Overlord of Freeport
Age: Immortal
Marital Status: Widowed

Lucan D'Lere is the evil Overlord of the city of Freeport. He rules Freeport from his levitating fortress called Twilight Citadel, keeping order with an iron fist and unbending will. His origins and background are clouded in secrecy and lore; those who tell tales do not often last long enough to be heard again. Some say Lucan appears in public wearing dark, foreboding armor. Others say he came from unusual places to command his post. No clearer information is known.

Lucan is a seasoned, battle-hardened commander of a great army. His face is deeply scarred, suggesting an age greater than Lucan lets on. He is an extremely charismatic individual; his stride is that of a confident and strong ruler, and his voice is rich and deep - audiences are mesmerized when he speaks fluidly and demonstratively. Lucan's sole focus is maintaining and expanding his personal power. He believes the way to do this is to make himself appear indispensable to his people. Indeed, his people cannot avoid his influence. Lucan makes it so, and has created Freeport as his domain for enforcing his influence upon the various races that make their home there.

In his speeches, Lucan will often rewrite history to portray himself as the key figure in epic battles and crucial decisions that have benefited the city of Freeport. He constantly reiterates that he is responsible for keeping his kingdom safe, and that only through his rule can the people prosper.

Unlike most human dictators, Lucan does not need for his people to love him. He demands their respect and total obedience, but any aspect of his personality that needed approval or affection has long since withered away. Lucan will appeal to his people's patriotism, their greed and their fears, but he will never seek to play upon positive emotions. He is only interested in using the population's strength to further his own agenda. While he praises the efforts of his subjects, he always frames their contributions as having only been possible through the security that his rule provides.

Though he tolerates those who practice most religions, Lucan will downplay the role of the ancient gods whenever possible. He has taken advantage of their absence to paint them as weak and false beings who were never really gods at all. Lucan has no qualms about portraying himself as a divine being far more worthy of worship.

Similarly, D'Lere will take every opportunity possible to insult and degrade the rival city of Qeynos and its leader, Antonia Bayle. He will portray her as weak, incompetent and corrupt, playing up the sometimes sordid history of the Bayle family. Though he stops short of declaring open warfare, his goal is to crush Qeynos economically and politically, leaving the city ripe for his influence. He has not, however, ruled out the use of force in the future if it proves necessary.

Lucan is an expert at incorporating just enough truth in what he says to make it seem believable while weaving elaborate lies designed to bind his subjects to his will. D'Lere never opens his mouth without planning exactly what he is going to say. He inspires loyalty through fear, never showing any sign of weakness. But it is the forceful and insistent manner in which he speaks that captivates the crowd and helps make him a brutally effective leader. His favorite phrase (often used to punctuate speeches) is "Strength in unity; unity in Lucan!"