Tales from the Druid newbee Volume 1

[Griffy]

Well I decided to start writing a little blog about the newbee experience here on Project 1999. Some days I will post more than others, and I will try to remember all the folks I group with "I'll start taking notes from now on " I know I am not a great writer, but I always regretted not documenting my travels in the original EQ. I hope to do it here and maybe inspire some better writers to do the same.

I started off the weekend at level 14 and went to North Ro. My favorite camp there is the Derv Camp closest to the water "Derv 1". only 4 spawns and I can easily handle the dervs. Dorn B'Dorn on the other hand is a little tougher ! He can crush me without a second thought. While I have been camping here on a regular basis I have met a few nice players. The one I have had the most interaction with is a Gnome chanter named Goliath. Seems whenever I see him or he sees me its buff fest time ! We shared the camp quite a bit on saturday and I managed to get all the way to 16 !

Saturday evening I had a bit of laundry to fold so I decided to just setup shop in East commonlands Tunnel and Buff folks as they needed [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.] Some even tossed me a coin or two ! I was able to pick up a couple low end druid pieces of gear and got my Wis up to a whoppin' 130 ! I was grateful some of the folks in the tunnel were willing to work with me on pricing. "its hard to go on a shoping spree when you only have 50-100 plat at any given time"



Sunday morning came around & I was pretty stoked to give Dorn another go [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.] He was also stoked to get to show me that he still owns my but ! [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.] so I spent a little time in the EC tunnel while i watched football. Then out of the blue I Was offered a group on the Orc highway in Oasis of Marr. "Sure I will come" I told them, happy to try something new. After a semi harrowing run to get to the wall "I had forgotten after all these years how much traffic there is in the oasis" I was able to get to the group. I was told ok were pulling in mass so you need to heal ! "Alrighty Ill do my best!" I told them. Inc 5-10 orc and there goes my mana pool. It went as well as you would expect med, heal, med, heal, med, heal, med med med, heal ...... you get the picture. I wasn't able to keep up with that kind of incomming damage. The worst part was that we had a killer SK tanking "Desroyyer" I would toss my lil heal on him and watch his HP increase by 1% /sigh. I had forgotten how bad druid heals can be from 16-18 "Cant wait till 19 to get the new heal !" I apologized for slowing the group down and the folks in group were pretty cool about dealing with my lack of mana. After about 45 mins we broke up. Good exp but i don't think I am ready for it yet !

Sunday afternoon I was back in the EC tunnel buffing my heart out and chilling while i did a little homework as to where I should be trying to level. I decided to go back to Oasis and give the gators a go [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.] As i zoned in and was running along the shore I hear a shout "Trading clarity for Sow" well I can't pass that up ! and said "I got your hook up and I will meet you at the docks [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]" Made it to the Docks and Buffed the nice chanter who was offering crack. I also buffed a few other folks that were there because it never hurts to be nice [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]. As i finish buffing the last person at the docks I sat down and started memming my solo spell line up so i can get some gator work in ....... Sure enough I get broken out of the book by "and you probably already guessed it" Cazel !!! One hit and I am at the loading screen Lol. I think its been 8-9 years since I last got Cazel'ed !!!! Long run back to oasis but I made it. I sat on the pilar by the dock medding up and started hearing groups yell for more. Invis wall and Gator 1 both wanted a lil help [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.] After how badly I did at the highway in the morning I decided to give Gator one a try. They invited me and sure enough the same SK is tanking. To top that we had a bard out there pulling 1/5 the zone it seemed !!! she was doing a bang up job!! It was really impressive to see the bard running around with a mass mobs on her. Somehow the Agro got messed up and Gators and orcs swarmed the rest of us. Unfortunantly I couldnt keep up with the heals "Sigh I guess I need to stop trying to level and go farm cash for gear" The Sk was dead in 2 mins, and that was the end of the group [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.] We broke up. I decided that was enough for one day. I had managed to level in reverse !

Hope to talk to you all ingame sometime and don't ever hesitate to hail me if you need a SoW or Druid buff
Saum
16 Druid of Tunare
AKA The Druid who has a mana pool so shallow you couldnt drown a kitten in it [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[Priamachu]

Great stuff, keep blogging away!

[Griffy]

Monday night 10/14/14

I logged in and found a nice Ranger named Bowand camping derv 1 so I decided to just meander about a bit. I wandered around the newbee zone and saw a little fella name mardical. He looked like he could use a buff so I hooked him up [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.] About that time a skeleton came along and started trying to wack on me. I Killed it like swatting a bug of course but, then it hit me! A way to make some quick cash I had completely forgotten about! Vender farming/Dumpster diving for the win!!! 15 mins later and I'm heading back to EC with 20 stacks of bone chips[You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I auctioned off in zone and found a ready buyer who paid me a fair price for them "Thanks again Snerp" I bought a couple lil upgrades and it was back to Derv 1 for the night ! I met a few nice folks while camping at derv 1. Legatus, Iamur Vader, Ohpy All stopped by and took a shot at getting Dorn Dirk. doesn't look like anyone had any luck though.

I killed derv after Derv and finally dinged 18 ! Bad news is my favorite camp just went green so I guess I'm going to have to move along.
If anyone knows an out of the way spot I can farm solo I'm all ears !

If I remember I'll start listing my gear so I can keep track of wear I started
Till Next Time
Saum

Oh & Thanks for the encouragement Priamachu I appreciate it !

[Stormlight]

You can try your hand at charming in East Karana. I did 14-24 there without many issues.

[Griffy]

Thanks for the idea Storm I might just give that a go tonight [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I brought my laptop into work today since I knew it was going to be a light day. It gives me time to post my current gear layout. "Don't laugh ! Remember I'm not twinked and have been trying to do this on a very limited in game budget [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]"

Ear - 1 Silver Bloodstone Earring +2 Sta
Ear - 2 Silver Bloodstone Earring +2 Sta
Head - Lumberjacks Cap AC10 +3Sta
Face - Burynai Hide Mask AC3 +2 Dex +2 Sta
Chest - Bear-hide Jerkin AC9 +2Sta +2 Wis
Neck - Black Iron Medallion +3 Wis +3 Int
Arms - Hallowed Bone Bracers AC 6 +15 mana +7SVM
Back - Kunzar Cloak AC7 +2 Wis +2 Int +10 SVF
Belt - Cloth Cord AC1
Shoulders - Burynai Hide SHoulder Pads AC4 +2 Str +2 Dex
Wrist 1 - Small Tattered Wristbands AC2
Wrist 2 - Ivory Bracelet +3 Agi +20 mana
Legs - Mammoth Hide Leggings AC6 +3 Sta +5SVC
Hands - Split Paw Hide Gloves AC4 +3 Dex +2 Wis
Feet - Raw Hide Boots AC4
Finger 1 - Silver Jasper Ring +2 WIs
Finger 2 - Silver Jasper Ring +2 WIs
Primary - Wraith Bone Hammer 8/26 +5 STR +2 Wis +2 Int
Secondary - Idol of Woven Grass +2 Sta +2Wis +10 Mana
Range - Nada [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

So a lot of area for improvement once I raise a little more funds for spells at 19

Ill be hanging out in the EC tunnel all day. stop by and say hi if ya want a SoW!
Just remember I am at work so I may miss you occasionally
Saum

[Velerin]

Keep in mind that as a low level healer it doesn't matter how much mana you have, druid/shammy/cleric etc., you'll never be able to heal melee twinks to their desire. Between hp gear/high level buffs your heals just won't do a whole lot. Don't let them try to blame it on you when they just need to slow down pulls.
In a fast paced group mana regen >>> mana pool which is the same naked or in 200k of gear.
Your gear looks great for your level (and as a druid gear really doesn't even help in leveling once you pass up your meleeing levels)

[DireBadger]

A lot of your gear is decent. Here is a few pointers for improvements.

http://wiki.project1999.com/Players:Gear

concentrate on the Pre-planar with a few pieces of Kunark gear mixed in

Especially this
http://wiki.project1999.com/Testament_of_Vanear_Quest
for a +10WIS off-hand is really the best you can get yorself at your level

[Griffy]

10/14/14 pt2
Here is your Tuesday part 2 log entry & boy is it a eventful one !!

I basically hung out in EC Tunnel during the day since I had brought my laptop to the shop. "I can't really actively play at work but I can watch the screen for good deals <evil grin>" I did pick up a Splitpaw Hide Belt "AC5 +5SVP" for 10 plat from A big troll named Scuzzbag. "A Troll Named Scuzzbag seems oddly fitting heheh"

I was doing my normal tossing Sow on Folks till I noticed Jezzabella doing the same. I decided to just sit and be quiet as I did not want to interfere with her business. I was hanging out at T2 just generally relaxing and SoW'ing folks as they walked past when I see a toon in plate walking veeeery slowly. So of course I Sow'ed him. Next thing I know he tossed me 775 plat ! I thanked him profusely and told him that was a monster amount of cash for a lowbee player and I was sure I could gear up with that! He told me "Don't go anywhere I'll be right back" 2 mins later he comes back with a bag full of gear !!!! Wow Sometimes it pays to be nice !!! after talking with him for a bit it turns out I know him in R/L lol. It really made my day. I purposely left his name off because I wouldn't want him getting hammered with requests [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

So when I finally got home and done with my "honey do" list for the day I decided to log in. I purchased a platinum ruby veil "+7 str +7 Wis"from one of the servers master jewelers. Dilaxzar gave me a really good deal on it ! So being geared up and ready to roll, I decided give the Karana's a shot at Stormlight's suggestion. I picked up a lift from Starbann @ the EC Tunnel and was on my way. I didn't have much luck charming but I was doing ok root/rot/DD'in mobs. I just decided to stick with that instead. I was doing ok and I really don't mind slow XP. I was just getting in a groove when I saw an OCC from a Druid named Mizmo in zone "HEY SAUM !! where ya at?". I sent him the loc and he came over and gave me a full buff run [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.] He also asked why I was hunting all the way over here instead of where the mobs were in mass. I told him I was just looking around & killing beetles since they were all blue to me. He said "Follow me and I will show you a good spot and P/L ya a bit." He guided me to the tower with 2 guards just above the gypsy camp "what a great spot !" He power leveled me there for about 10 mins and in no time I was a full yellow in!

Next he suggested we go across the bridge and try our hand at crag spiders. There were a few folks killing spiders, and I almost accidently KS'ed a guy. I felt pretty bad about that but I am glad he got the kill. I apologized to him and Mizmo suggested we stick to dogs in the open area instead of spiders. I wasn't about to complain ! An hour or so later I dinged 19 and didn't think I could be happier. Mizmo ported us to the common lands and said "I have one more surprise for you" He explained my friend from the EC Tunnel earlier in the day had told him I was playing. It turns out I know Mismo in R/L too ! what a great way to finish the night, and what a great day. I got to meet up in game with not one but two new/old friends

I had my best day yet in P99 and I am really looking forward to grouping with Mizmo's 28 tank as soon as I put on a little xp. I know that my friend from the EC tunnel also has a low level toon so maybe someday soon you can read about our adventures as a group [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Till next time
play nice and have fun
Saum
19 Druid of Tunare
Bungler of spells & Forager of non edible stuff

[Griffy]

Not much to report the last few days honestly. I didn't get to play with any intent until Saturday. I sat in the EC tunnel auctioning WTB Light stones and Greater Light Stones. When I had a min I would run over to the Karanas and turn them in. I did all of level 19 and most of 20 "2 blue short of 21" with those turn ins !!!

How is that not broken? I got a smidge less than a full blue per turn in at 19 and I still get a half a blue + at 20.

so here is the math
27 Greater light stones at 19 to ding 20 "give or take"
GLS cost me 10plat per
Turning in the book yields 9.5p
27 X 5 gold "the loss from turning in each GLS vice price I paid"
Means doing the entire level cost me a whoping 13.5 plat ........ Broken

At level 20 the XP is still insane /shrug
Well my intent is to somehow get to 21 and then Head on over to loIo ! [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.] Ive been looking forward to it !!

Oh and While I was running around the karanas I kept running into Goliath "my old Enchanter friend from Nro". I'm convinced he stalking me [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Till Next Time always remember to never let the halflings make the wine. You don't want them crushing the grapes with those feet

Saum
20 Druid of Tunare
more stomping power than a sex crazed Rhino on bad acid [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[Jimjam]

Yea, it amazes me people pay 3pp for CB belts, but effectively pay less than a plat for GLSs.

Keep us updated