EverQuesting: What I’ll do in EverQuest II, 2017 edition

A long time ago, in a spring far, far away (2016 feels that way already), I noted that there is simply too much to do in EverQuest II. So much so, in fact, that it took more than one EverQuesting to try and list them! It’s mind-blowing the amount of stuff you can get involved in, from collections to crafting, decorating to dungeoning. And that fact is exactly what has placed me in my current conundrum.

You see, there are many things I still want to do in EQII. So many things. Normally I just play whatever I feel like playing in games, but that doesn’t seem to work in this case. I have to admit that when I log into Norrath I sometimes shut down when faced with the sheer volume of what I want to/can delve into. It is honestly too much for me at times. For that reason, I’ve decided to break with my usual traditions and try a new one: goals. Like with The Secret World, I think that setting some concrete goals will actually help me negate if not avoid the paralysis I often feel when I log in. And by writing them down, I have a handy place to reference them! I think that will be extra useful when I sit staring at my screen unsure of where to start. Even better, I can hopefully finally cross some accomplishments off my to-do list. As the clock ticks down 2017, I’ll be working on these goals.

1. Level to 100

Wait, what? After 12 years I am not max level on at least one character? Not at the moment, no. Oh, I have been many times over the years; I have sported multiple max-level adventurers and crafters at the same time even. However, since this last level increase — even as long ago as it was — I’ve fallen behind. Blame it on the myriad alts and other activities that keep distracting me (I’m looking at you, festivals!). I now have a group of mid-ranged characters just from leveling alongside OPTV viewers during EverQuest Two-sday streams. But I am itching to get back to the top again, at least on my Fury. If nothing else, I need to get there so I can finally experience the last two expansions of content!

2. Visit the Rum Cellar and Brokenskull Bay

Before I dive into either expansion, I actually need to first experience the Rum Cellar DLC. Of course, to do that I also need to be higher level. I have totally been waiting to do this, so the fact that years have slipped by and I still haven’t been in irks me! I remember those first teasers about Brokenskull Bay and my video tour through it. I was so excited to test out all the vertical gameplay for myself. I am still excited. So this is the year I am going to finally do it. Besides, pirates!

3. Get to the start of Kunark Ascending

When the 2017 expansion rolls out, I want to be caught up to the point I am only one expansion behind. As it is, I am not even sure I finished Chains of Eternity (expansion #9) anymore, and I know I skipped some stuff in Tears of Veeshan (#10) when I jumped ahead to Altar of Malice (#11). I definitely have to finish AoM before I can move on into Terrors of Thalumbra (#12). Holy Hannah that’s a lot of content to try and work through! For sanity’s sake, I will not count completing the expansions as finishing up every single quest and dungeon. However, I will need to make it through the signature story lines.

4. Finish a decorating project or two

If you know me, you know that the housing system in EQII is one of my all-time favorite things. Between my alts, I am sure I own over 25 houses — and that is not counting all the free prestige ones I can claim on every single character! I am not crazy enough to tackle all of these abodes, but there are two specific ideas that I have had for years that I want to see finally completed. One is an island jungle, and the other is related to a thriving commercial district on a warf. The latter is one that will leave me with serious regrets if I ever lose the opportunity and never finish. Of course, this is no small goal: My biggest and most rewarding undertaking to date was designing a guild hall that took me six to eight months worth of work to do. I am still proud of that place!

5. Reach level 30 on Stormhold

After having started a character on the progression server, I feel so guilty when I don’t play her. She truly is the most neglected of all my characters, despite the fact I am really interested in playing an Inquisitor. I will just have to carve time out to continue her journeys over there. (I have no delusions about catching her up to the current expansion content for the server though.)

6. Regular EverQuest Two-sdays

Even if I can’t livestream EverQuest II on OPTV often, I still want to be in playing with folks! So I am committing to playing on our traditional Tuesday (sometimes afternoon, sometimes evening) at least twice a month. This way, readers and viewers can still join in and group, and maybe we can knock out some of the content goals together. What the stream schedule and my Twitter to see when they happen.

7. Organize my bags

Since I already have two other massive goals, why not add in a third? One “problem” with EQII is the sheer volume of stuff you can carry. Even removing loot, there are numerous equipment sets for various things as well as a plethora of cosmetic outfits to enjoy, tons of crafting (seasonal and regular) supplies, and furniture out the wazoo. Luckily collection and Legend and Lore pieces can be stored in specialty boxes. Unfortunately, that leaves many things still to store, which is a nightmare for packrats like me. As it is, I have cleaned out my bags multiple times before by creating whole warehouses of housing items in specific houses. Without spreadsheets, it’s hard to know which alt is holding what and in which house.

A complete organization of everything will be nigh impossible, but I can make it so that each of my main characters has three empty bags each time she heads out to adventure. That in itself is going to be quite the undertaking; keeping it this way throughout the year will involve keeping focused on the goal. More than just move stuff around, I hope to declutter a bit (but if you think I will get rid of a single decorating item you are crazy).

8. Host two events (at least one for roleplay)

I love the game, and I want it be enjoyable for others. I also want to support the community. After all, without a community around playing, we wouldn’t have a game to play, right?  I want to do my part to help build up the community, and a great way to do that is with events. These events need not be server-wide, though they can be.

Adding to the list of things to do might seem counter-productive considering my problem is having too many things already. But player-made events can really draw people together and offer some unique memories. It’s making an impact on the world, even if only for a short time. I am to host at least two events, with one being focuse on roleplay. I really would like to get back into roleplay in EverQuest II, and this might just be the way to springboard that.

9. Remember to get to the festivals

This may sound weird, especially since I created a guide, but there really are so many festivals in EQII that I end up missing many of them each year. Because of that, I am missing recipes that can only be acquired during said festivals. I’ve set the EQII festivals aside at times in favor of getting a few other games’ holiday events in. For 2017, however, I am making Norrath my holiday priority.

And speaking of festivals…

10. Earn Frostfell’s Candy Cane Chase achievement

This final one can’t even be worked on until December, but I am bound and determined to finally get that achievement if I have to slip and slide across the ice in Winter Wonderland every day for the entire month! Getting this will really feel like a hard-earned accomplishment.

The list could go on

Trust me when I say there are many more things I would also like to accomplish. But the idea is to have some achievable goals and not get so overwhelmed with options that I end of doing nothing — the curse I have been living with for many years now. Some are really silly and small (would getting someone to fall to their death again while on auto-follow be a goal?), and others are more substantial. But this list of 10 gives me a good guideline to get me through this year.

How about you? Do you have any goals for the remainder of 2017? What things do you want to accomplish in game? Let us know in the comments below!