Project 1999 - Miscellaneous: Old Sebilis scarab loot

Hi, a few weeks back something seems to have changed with the gem drop rate % on scarabs in sebilis. I have spoke with many people who have killed many many bugs and all agree that gems have become extremely rare as of late.

I am seeing behavior of 1 cheaper gem (fire emerald, sapphire, etc) drop every 6-8 kills, and no diamonds, black sapphires, or blue diamonds at all. Prior to several weeks back, gems would drop nearly every kill, sometimes multiple.

Obviously I cannot see database values, so I have to first ask this obvious question:

Can a developer please confirm that the gem drop rate on sepsis, leprous, pox, gangrenous, and necrosis has indeed been decreased?

If the answer to this is yes, why? I was unable to find anything on forums about this change so soon.

It appears that bugs should still be dropping ALL gems commonly.

http://everquest.allakhazam.com/db/npc.html?id=5144

Quote:

Aug 2001 - These things drop diamonds, blue diamonds, jacinths, and black sapphires alot, you can also find sludged girdles occasionally

http://everquest.allakhazam.com/db/npc.html?id=4969

Quote:

Dec 2002 - My group has killed Gangrenous Scarab about 30 or more times..... He commonly drops diamonds and sometimes blue diamonds

http://everquest.allakhazam.com/db/npc.html?id=5144

Quote:

Nov 2003 - Their drop rate has been nerfed as of last week. I killed like 50 bugs and got one spell off them. They now drop basically nothing.

http://everquest.allakhazam.com/db/npc.html?id=5144

Quote:

Dec 2003 - Yep looks like they nerfed the loot drop rate.

Correct me if I am wrong, but we are in late 2001? If that is true, then we should not be seeing this nerf until 2003.

Thanks!
-Sync (Taken)