Some Seriously Disturbing TERA Characters

After my encounter with a player named Pretty.Face, I was inspired to play around with the TERA character creation system to make the ugliest characters possible.

The world may never be ready for this level of beauty.

So, here are my own creations... These may scare you and disturb you, but it's okay. You won't see them running around on the servers anytime soon.

Now -that- is some jailbait, eh guys?

She just wants a kiss.

Reminiscent of Heavy Weapons Guy.

Those teeth.

A Week with TERA: Day 7

This is my last day covering TERA, though it won't be my last day playing it.
So let's get started!

I logged into Chumley, and from my quest log it looked like I was to head to a new town... Cresentia.
First I had to escort a Peddler there, and when I arrived at the place where they were waiting, I saw why he'd need somebody to guard him....

Old and fat, not exactly the best combination when traveling down a perilous road.

Guarding him as he tottered down the path wasn't exceptionally tough, until the old coot decided to walk on without me while I was fighting a sporebeast... I had to drop everything I was doing, rush down the path, and intercept two additional sporebeasts that were beating on him. Of course, the sporebeast I was fighting before came barreling up the path behind me, and soon I was being knocked down to the ground by their fat fungus arms. Thanks peddler, you sure had my back on that one, didn't you?

When I arrived in Cresentia, I was relieve to see on my minimap that it was an actual town, and not just a miniature outpost. Looks like I can finally clear my cluttered inventory while I'm here.

I think I also found my long-lost son, but he wouldn't talk to me.

I picked up my new skills and sold things I didn't need, and was thrilled to get a quest that would have me searching for... A DOG! Apparently a dog named Ohdi (haha, I get it!) has ran off to the cemetery in search of undead bones. (He has a thing for them) I'm to find him, and collect some bones from the local undead monsters. Sounds like a good ol' adventure to me!

Before I headed off to the cemetery, I was given a quest to escort a trainee there for some undead-slaughtering experience.

I don't mind taking a buddy along... NO, WHY ARE YOU ATTACKING THAT?!?

As I entered the cemetery, it was clear that this guy had intentions of his own, namely going around and killing things in a circle and then exiting the cemetery altogether. So much for finding Ohdi...

Will'o'wisps aplenty.

I turned in the escort quest, and then went back to the cemetery... It was clear that I had to rescue Ohdi on my own.

I found him pretty quickly... Don't worry fella, I've got bones for you back home where it's... you know... less full of monsters.

After saving little Ohdi, it was time to move on to the bigger problems... namely the Devan.

They seem to have allied themselves with a greater power, which has given them the strength to expand their lands and attack the villages. It's also strongly suspected that they are behind the undead uprising in the forest. Time to put on my sleuthing shoes, and try to figure this one out.

One quest giver told me to go to a mysterious altar in the middle of the cemetery, so off I went.

I inspected the altar, and THERE HE ROSE!... until a Castanic decided it was his, and started killing it.

I decided to let the guy have it, and waited patiently until I could summon the quest boss again. When I finally could summon it, the idiot attacked him AGAIN. The kill didn't register as mine, so I went along my merry way to take out some frustration on other undead beings until this jerkoff left.

I returned a few minutes later to see a Popori summoning it, and later a Castanic, and an Elf... Fat dog men need a turn too, you know.

I finally did get a chance to kill Grayal, and it turns out that the Devan are indeed behind the undead problem. They apparently summoned a nexus spirit, whatever the hell that is, that brought spirits back from the afterlife and trapped them within their old bodies. Not good, but gives me something to do.

At least the Devan have good taste in structures.

I had to collect some amulets from Devan priests and arcanists, and I got about my business swiftly. Now that Chumley is level 16, I have a new ability called Overhead Strike. Honestly, this one skill has breathed so much life into this class. Every 4 normal attacks I can use it very fast, or after any other attack. (It's otherwise slow to charge) It does some great damage, and it's a lot of fun to use. I'm glad I didn't get all these fun skills early on, it was worth the wait.

I remember a Castanic NPC complain about how the villagers didn't trust him because he looked like a Devan... Now I'm seeing the resemblance a lot better.

Upon arriving in the large Devan camp, I found an undercover agent I was supposed to be looking for. She was clutching her side as if injured.

I'm assuming she's Castanic.

In a short yet satisfying cutscene, all was explained. She was spying on the Devan leader, who has started to work in conjunction with the Scions of Lok. He was bowing before a high priestess and apologizing profusely that his power was not enough to corrupt the Fey Forest. (Finally, plot continuity!) She said that their next step would be even greater... and that's when the spy was spotted and attacked. She got away, but not without taking some significant damage. After she spurted out to me that the Devan leader must be stopped, she fell backwards and died. You did well, soldier.

Deeper in Devan territory, things are less classy,

After a lot of revenge slaughter, gathering supplies, and taking a ring off of a corpse for some scout, I reached the place where I would find the Devan leader.

This is for the dead chick! HYAAA!

The fight was over in two swings, which confused me. Either I'm horribly overpowered, or that guy was horribly underpowered. Maybe a combination of both? Who knows...

Either way, after turning in this quest, I was told to go to Lumbertown. Guess I need to report my findings.

Does this insanity go deeper? I'm sure it does, but this is where my last entry ends.

It's time for me to reach my final verdict.

Final Opinions

Graphics: I know that buying a game alone on graphics is silly, but this game definitely doesn't disappoint in this aspect. The character models are detailed, the animations are fluid, and the environments are at moments, stunning and breathtaking. Even when it isn't downright amazing, it's hard not to have an appreciation for what you're seeing on your screen. After playing World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XI for years, it's truly incredible how far MMO graphics have come, and TERA is a prime example of what all future MMOs should aim for graphics-wise.

Plot: Though relatively weak compared to World of Warcraft's lore, and Final Fantasy XI's massive storyline and conflicts, TERA isn't completely without a plot. Though unclear or rushed at times, I've found that more and more about the game world is revealed with every quest line. I also feel as if this game could have the potential to have an amazing background story, if only more things were explained. Though not the bottom of the bucket, TERA's foremost issue is it's lack of background information about the game world.

Combat: Even without a strong plot line, I found myself motivated to play. The main reason for this was the innovative and extremely fun combat system. It's refreshing, it's new, and is reminiscent of games like Skyrim. It also has a bit of a console gaming feel to it, which I assume is the reason why it has such strong controller support. Skills are gained through a trainer like in World of Warcraft, but are spaced evenly, with at least one ability being upgraded or new ability being learned every even-numbered level. The learning curve is longer than most MMOs, but that's what makes this game a gem... it's challenging, it keeps you on your toes, and is sure to please.

Questing: Let's face it, TERA hasn't done anything new with the questing system we all have come to see as the norm in the MMO world. On the other hand, the quests aren't painfully long, you don't have to struggle with frustrating drop rates for quest items, and there are plenty of zones and quests to do. Essential plotline quests are marked with an orange question mark, and the mini-map tracking system is superb. It's hard to get lost in this game, and easy to find any monster that a quest dictates must be killed. The questing system is manageable, but groundbreaking it definitely is not.

Crafting and Gathering: I'm sure the crafting system is extensive from what I've seen, but it's also expensive. As a first time player it was nearly inaccessible, and completely impractical. Gathering is truly a rewarding experience, however. The buffs and experience points that gathering rewards you are invaluable to any character's leveling and questing. Nodes respawn very quickly so there is barely any competition for resources. All that matters is that you have the few seconds to gather was you find. Best of all, any character can gather anything. There is no limit on the amount of professions you can take. I'll take this gathering system over World of Warcraft any day, but as for crafting, I'm not yet sure.

And there we have it folks.
Is TERA worth getting? You bet your sweet monthly subscription it is, but only if you are bored to death of the current MMOs on the market. If you're all about saving money, it might be worthwhile to wait for Guild Wars 2 like most other people are doing. On the other hand, TERA's combat system is so unique and exciting that it's hard to resist. It breathes new life into a genre that I before thought was going stale, with a constant flood of WoW-clones and MMOs that went free-to-play faster than you could say "failure."

For now, I'll be enjoying the world of TERA with much gusto, and Chumley will continue to waddle his way to glory.

A Week with TERA: Whaaat?

Hello there! Just a quick post to tell you that Day 7 will be happening... today.
Why the day-long delay on the 7th installment? Well, yesterday I spent the whole day away from my computer, so I didn't play any TERA. Instead, I'll be writing up the 7th part today.
Keep your eyes on the blog, it'll most likely be up around midnight EST.

A Week with TERA: Day 6

It's the second to last day of my week-long review of TERA, so let's get started!

I logged into Chumley and having done all the frivolous quests in the area, it was time to tackle the storyline quest.

I was to destroy these big, floating "vortex cores" that were being guarded by demons.

First, I had to walk through the more "evil" part of the forest...

It was a huge relief to hear the music change along with the scenery after yesterday's awkward dead body moment, which begged the question... why didn't they just put the body here? We may never know.

Time to go dismantle some vortex cores!

It just oozes with evil.

There were three cores in the area, with three "Scions of Lok" guarding each one. They were easy for Chumley to slash down, especially since they're 3 levels lower than my demon-slaying doggie. (Did I mention I'm level 15 now? Probably not.)

After destroying the last one, I got a quick cutscene.

I sense EEEEEVIL!

Oh, I angered that big guy behind me... oops.

He wasn't really that hard to beat, but the ridiculously fast respawn time killed me again. I was trying to get a creepy screencap of the altar, because there were bodies and skeletons laid out on it... and there he was, beating my ass 20 seconds after I killed him. Not cool TERA, not cool.
After telling the NPC about my kill, she just said she has never heard of a group called the Scions of Lok, and told me some dude in Lumbertown has an assignment for me.
What the heck? There's evil afoot and unknown bodies on an altar being used for some horrible ritual, and I'm told to just leave? I really don't understand these quests.
Anyway, it looks like I'm heading off to a new area... this one called the Oblivion Woods.
The local merchants have had their wares raided by Devan bandits, so off I went to retrieve the goods.

They're kind of like red elf... castanic... troll... things.

Mass slaughter of the Devans... Devas... whatever, was quite fun. It was also nice to finally be away from bright and happy Fey Forest. The music here is a lot more jungle-like, almost Yuhtunga Jungle-esque with an actiony flair, for you FFXI fans.

After getting the loot from the Devawhatevers, I returned to quite a hefty sum of experience points.

At this point I was getting a horrible headache, so I called it a night... but I took an extra screenshot just for you guys.

Beautiful willows above the Oblivion Wood's first camp. But who knows what evil they hide...

Current Impressions

Graphics: They still continue to amaze me. I really can't wait to get out of the forest and see some of the other settings.

Plot: I hate to say it, but the plot is starting to frustrate me. I don't really have any idea what is going on, and why other NPCs aren't taking anything seriously. I'm sure a lot of the game was hastily translated from Korean to English to make the release date, but c'mon, some of this just doesn't make any sense.

Combat: I forgot to get my skills, ahh! But still, combat is fun. I'm actually really beginning to want to make another character to see what the other classes are like.

Questing: Stale and somewhat annoying. They made little cutscenes for certain quests, but then don't say much when you complete the quest itself.

Crafting and Gathering: Still gathering stuff for my next crafting run. I need some more money first though... money is slow to get at early levels, it seems.

Tomorrow is my last day doing a full review! I'm sort of relieved to be honest, writing daily has been a chore. I'll be glad when it's over. Now to go grab a Tylenol and go to sleep...

A Week with TERA: Day 5

We're approaching the last few days of my TERA review, so let's get cracking!

Today I logged into Chumley, and ran off into the woods to go find the next quest NPC. It seems it's now time to tackle a tougher breed of fey... The centaur!

Did I mention they lead armies of fairies?

Needless to say, there was a mass-slaughtering of the fey. There's something extremely satisfying about taking down a group of fairies.

No real progress was made in the storyline with the next batch of quests. I seem to be constantly helping out people who really don't matter much. Delivering tools to loggers, killing fairies so their buzzing doesn't drive some woman mad, getting centaur blood for some guy... I wish I could be sent on better missions. At least in World of Warcraft I was uncovering enemy plans and saving the world half the time. At least the combat is fun.

Finding cool structures like this is quite pleasing though.

It has finally dawned on me how very European all of Arcadia is. Centaurs, fairies, and my next adversary, redcaps... These are all creatures that are very prevalent in European mythology. Coupled with the setting, I'm really starting to wonder if this was intentional.

Redcaps... angry little men, with angry little hats.

And finally, I get to make some progress in Arcadia's storyline. After slaughtering some redcaps along the way, I reached an outpost where a fairy named Lillith resides. She told me that the fey and the loggers have always had problems with each other. The fey protect the forest, and the loggers wish to cut them down. Peace had been brokered between the two, but the problem lies with the individual who brokered the peace. Someone is controlling his mind, and inciting him to order war upon the federation races.

Thanks for not trying to kill me... though I sure am tempted to take a swing at you.

Turns out this "guy" is actually a unicorn, and the "evil ones" came and turned him mad. I'm to go and wound him, and then give him some flower essence to attempt to clear the mind control from him. Hey, if there's trouble afoot, I'm the dog for the job!

I ran off to complete some other quests first, and was really taken aback at how the scenery had changed. No longer were things natural and normal, but instead unnatural and magical.

Giant flycatchers and glowing flowers, oh my!

I was nostalgically reminded of Final Fantasy XI's flora, and smiled to myself at the familiarity. One of my favorite parts about that game was the fantastical plants and trees that covered the landscapes. Ah, good memories. 

It's like FFXI in high-def... or what FFXIV should have been.

While slaughtering more fairies and monsters, I found the unicorn guy by accident. Might as well get this over with.

He was one BIG unicorn.

I had to get him to under 30% health, and then dart him with the flower essence. He turned passive and though weakened, he thanked me and tasked me with escorting him to the Fairy Pond. After killing some monsters on the way, he gave me a tear. I was to deliver it to his military commander to show that he wants all attacks to cease. He then teleported away, obviously needed more elsewhere.

Despite the lifting of the evil haze that had clouded his mind, the taint hadn't been removed from the remaining blood-crazed fairies. I had to go kill them, and also put down the severely weakened and confused unicorns in the area.

Once that was done, I moved to the next area and was told to kill more monsters, and to find this woman's sister.

That search didn't end well.

I'm not usually nitpicky about things, but I have to say, I was really bothered by this quest. It wasn't the quest itself, it wasn't the dead body... it was the horrible clash of the music, and the subject matter.

I have to hand it to World of Warcraft on this one, but they had the perfect soundtrack to every area. The music wasn't happy, wasn't crazy, and when needed, was "actiony." No matter what quest you were doing, the music wasn't bothersome and seemed to always fit.

This area of Arcadia's main theme is a happy, cutesy kind of song. (Hear for yourself by watching this video) Doing a quest where you find a woman's dead sister lying discolored, alone in the forest with this music playing in the background just feels.... wrong.

Jon had to go to sleep at this point to get up early for work, so I decided to call it a night.

Current Impressions

Graphics: Still amazing and impressive.

Plot: Weak as usual.

Combat: Fun, though I do need to go back to the main city and get some new skills... I'll have to do that tomorrow.

Questing: Still stale.

Crafting and Gathering: Arcadia is FULL of gathering nodes. I'm quite thankful for it, though my inventory is getting full quite quickly.

Until tomorrow!

A Week with TERA: Day 4

Well, it's a disgusting 84 degrees out today, which wouldn't be bad on its own... but it's humid out, and Jon and I don't have a car to use today. Looks like we're going to be cooped up indoors until it gets close to the evening.
I guess that means more time to play and review TERA though.

I logged into Chumley, and hopped on my new, trusty horse. It was time to return to the quest NPC I neglected in favor of receiving my mount. I was welcomed to the city of Velika, and told to go see the inventory master and... drumroll please... LEARN HOW TO CRAFT! Finally!

Little dog in the big city!

Before I get into that though... the city is beautiful. I don't know if it's just me, but there is no lag at all. It doesn't appear that the graphics had to be toned down to account for massive amounts of players being in one area either. The visuals are stunning, and the architecture is glorious as well. (I highly recommend taking a few moments to look up and see the view if you ever get a chance.)

The city, however, is vast. If you actually are lagging, I could see how navigating Velika could quickly become a pain in the butt. Thankfully, it looks like the game's devs are one step ahead and placed a handy  Teleportal in the center. From there you can teleport to different sections of the city, cutting your walking time significantly.

After getting my inventory expanded from the inventory master, and learning how to craft, I found myself dirt poor. Crafting is extremely expensive for someone on their first character. Not only are you using the raw materials you find, but you also have to buy materials from the NPCs. All crafting plans also have to be purchased.

In the end I was only able to afford getting my Weaponsmithing up, and even then the best sword I could make was worse than what I'm currently toting.

Time to go meet with the next plot quest NPC...

This is what our future looks like if I continue to derp around the city instead of fighting.

I was happy to see another cutscene. I was basically commended on my valor and told that I could be the next Elleon if I continue my heroic exploits. The federation needs people like me in their war against the argon front, which I assume is name for the legion of monsters that hate us so much.

I then meet Samael, who is for lack of a better word, an ass. He says I'm cocky, a "glory hound", and I smell like pigling. (I guess he was right on the "hound" part. Ha. Ha ha.)

Looks like I'm being deployed to... LUMBERTOWN?

Some fey creatures are attacking villagers, and I need to stop them... what a job for someone who just took down a massive demonic force on the Island of Dawn.

I hopped a Pegasus, and flew along my merry way. Thank goodness I didn't spend all of my silver on crafting, because it cost me to take the flight.

Lumbertown, HERE WE COME!

The area, known as Arcadia, is gorgeously natural. Pine trees, cliffs, waterfalls, mountains... you almost would think that you aren't playing a fantasy game. Except that... you know... there are crazy races running about everywhere.

I was also very impressed by the level of detail in even the smallest of creatures.

Hey kitty, your cousin in World of Warcraft called, he wants more polygons...

There were rabbits, cats, chickens, rabbits, and sheep wandering around inside and outside of Lumbertown. The diversity is spectacular, and it's attention to detail like this that really makes a game come alive.

For goodness sake, not the bees again...

The quests started out pretty generic, but once I got to a pig ranch I got to do some fun things... Like mass-slaughter of faeries just so this adorable little popori could bathe in shiny faerie dust.

When a face like this tells you to kill, it's impossible to resist.

I also got to tranquilize pigs with darts and... bring home the bacon. -ba-dum-tsshh!-

That's all I really got to do today. I ended up taking a nap and then playing some TF2 with Jon.
Anyway, for the impressions...

Current Impressions

Graphics: My opinion is the same... amazing graphics, and sure to not disappoint.

Plot: The plot hasn't really progressed any since I arrived in Lumbertown. I guess later on I'll find out why the fae are turning against us, but the problem is I don't really care. This game has to try harder to gain my interest in terms of plotline.

Combat: Still fun, though I have to say, I'm finding it tougher to read monsters' movements. I'm starting to get the idea that some monsters weren't meant to be dodged. They hit for such a small amount, and there's never really an opening to attack in between dodges.

Questing: I'm kind of glad that I got to do a quest that had some humor mixed in. The little popori telling me to go kill faeries for dust and then using it to glow gave me a chuckle. It was also refreshing to tame the piglings rather than just killing things all of the time. Still not fully impressed though.

Crafting and Gathering: Crafting is a pain for a first-time character. I have no spare cash, so I can't even afford to make swords that are fit for my level. I guess I'll have better luck down the road, but for now I'm just going to keep gathering.

Tomorrow is another day...

A Week with TERA: Day 3

Good news, I got over my cold! I've never had a one-day-long cold before, but I couldn't possibly be happier. I hate being sick.
Anyway, onto the real reason I'm typing... THE GAME!

I logged in to Chumley, and realized that I'm level 8. I hadn't been paying any attention to my level since I started the game, so I was surprised to see that I had gained that many so far. And hey, I guess it's a good thing that I haven't even noticed my level... I'm having too much fun to care, and that might be a sign that this game isn't going to be an endless grindfest. Keeping my eyes glued on my EXP bar has been something all too familiar to me in past MMOs.
I only had one quest in my quest log, so I went to go complete it. I had to find Leander, Elleon's brother, and talk to him at a shrine. As I approached the area I got a short cutscene, which was a welcome surprise.

Leander is FABULOUS.

He found a giant and "familiar" sword at the shrine, but says there is an unnatural energy tainting it. I'm to take it to somebody else to try and figure out what kind of power is running through it. Is this Elleon's sword? Who knows, but I'm glad to see the plot line is actually going somewhere.

After running back with the sword, my suspicions were confirmed... it is Elleon's sword, Demonbane. Interestingly enough, it's been tainted with strong demonic power. A demon-killing blade now turned into a vessel for demonic energy? And why would Elleon ever abandon his beloved sword? Something isn't right, and of course I'm the one to do more research on this. Time to go KILL MORE THINGS! (to see if they have the same magic coursing through their body parts... it's for SCIENCE!)

After returning with the evidence, it turns out the power is too strong to interpret. Something is resisting the NPC's attempts to analyze it, something that "feels... ugly." She tells me to go speak to Leander, and that the power's source may be coming from that area I killed the monsters in. Leander is concerned, but says the only "evil" thing around are the orcans. (Think orcs. Just... orcs.) Do they have allies? I'm to check this out, but I already know the answer is YES.

You seriously expect me to forget about THESE awesome guys?

Well, time to go kill one. 

I'm sorry that it's had to come to this...

Upon killing one, I found a scroll with illegible writing. Who knows weird languages? Why, Mr. Scholar, Leander of course.

Before I did that, however, I ran into my first glitch.

Looks like someone has mastered levitation.

Honestly, I found it more funny than annoying. After I moved he rotated and his legs went back to normal. I'm surprised that this is the first glitch I've seen... The game has only been out for 15 days, and hell, WoW still has glitches 6 years after release.

Back to the plot.

After running all the way back to Leander, he says that these aren't just squiggles... It's demonic script, and it says the leader of these marauders is located to the east. Before I inspect anything there, I have to clear out an area where some kind of enemy has holed up with his minions. Alright, then.

This sure looks foreboding.

The orcan at the top of the hill ends up screaming about how I "won't get the feather" whatever the hell that means, and attacks immediately. He is not an easy kill. I left the battle with only 1/3rd of my health remaining.

Here is the part that pissed me off, though. As soon as he died, I took a second to pick up my loot, and started to go along my merry way. The game wouldn't have that, and the orcan suddenly respawned along with his little idiots. Next thing I know, I'm running for my life. Unfortunately I see a nice ore node, and mistakenly think I'm in the clear... Nope. The second I try mining it, I'm battered to death by those little dwarf orcans. Not cool TERA, not cool. My first death (if you don't count the prologue) and it's not because of lack of skill... rather, due to ungodly quick respawn times.

I guess one good thing about dying and respawning back at Tower Point was spotting my first set of twins.

The "feather" isn't an orcan talisman, but has been imbued with... guess... DEMONIC POWER! Remind me why aren't we going into the dark, evil-looking part of the island yet? You know, because all evidence points towards that place as being the source of everything we may be seeking.
After some more running from NPC to NPC, they all come to the consensus that yes, it's finally time to move into the demon-tainted area of the island... but first I have to recover cargo from a crashed airship, because the pilot didn't notice the COUNTLESS MONSTERS ON BOARD.

Just needs a little duct tape.

Once that was over with, I finally entered the Tainted Gorge. It was cool to see the island in a different light, after everything being so bright and cheery.

The Island of Dawn, now with 50% less happy!

I'm going to be completely blunt... The change of scenery has made me giddy as a schoolgirl. Not only did it make me want to explore, but it also made me excited for the next batch of quests. I take this as a really good sign.

I finally reached the next outpost, and continued the quest line. Turns out that the demons infesting the area are not only controlling some monsters, but are also "chummy" with some cultists and each other. They're also looking for something, and as usual, it's up to me to find out what.

I was tasked with killing demons, and I gladly obliged. The demon models are impressive, and I say this mostly because they aren't generic, uncreepy demonic entities. In fact, they're quite evil looking.

As if these zombie-like things aren't creepy enough, they can actually flip.

  This guy really isn't too friendly either... okay, very unfriendly.

A lot of demon-killing ensued, and I got to level 11. A quest was added to my log, and I grinned giddily as I realized it was a quest to get my first mount... then I was pissed when I realized the quest NPC was in an entirely different area, and I had no idea how to get there. I guess the mount will have to wait.

After a bunch of demon-slaying quests, I had to return a codex that I had found to Leander. He said there was no mention of Elleon in it, but something about Karascha or something like that. He then blabbed about somebody named Lok. A little background information on who the hell these two characters were would of been nice, but unfortunately none was really given. The next quest told me that "Lok died during the Divine War" which would help if I knew what the heck the Divine War even was...

Ah well, guess that will have to wait, because it's BAM TIME!

Karascha is actually the demon that wiped out the First Expedition... looks like I should of paid more attention. Leander, being the scholar that he is and not a man of action, sends me to go talk to an NPC, who in turn tells me to go kick this demon's butt.

You want me to go in there?

Though everyone and their mother in area chat was looking for other players to do this quest, I decided to be daring and go for it solo. When I entered the instance it turned out that I wasn't actually alone... a healer NPC was with me as well, so that was some comfort.

And then this guy crashed into view, and all feelings of comfort were lost.

The fight itself was challenging, yet surprisingly it was the NPC that almost ended up dying, and not me. Upon being defeated he yelled something about being tasked with guarding the area until a shield was put up, and that he did manage to do that task... and then something about Lok. Apparently Lok is a demon god... Once again, wish I had more background information on this.

I teleported out of the lair, and was met by Leander. I had picked up some kind of missive, and it apparently reveals that Elleon is alive, and the demons are hot on his trail. For finding this information I've been commended on my valor, and told to go to the big city... Finally, a way off this island!

And I'm leaving in STYLE.

Taking the Pegasus was quite the treat. After a lot of demon-smashing and the like, I kind of neglected to admire the scenery. This gave me a chance to sit back, relax, and take in the show.

Goodbye, Island of Dawn...

And hellooooo new city!

I was going to call it a night once I landed, but the itch to get my first mount was too strong to resist. I sped through the city, found the NPCs, and bam, got my horse!

Whoa there horsey, I'm just a dog... sitting on your back... Dang, is this considered inter-species courtship?

With that thought to ponder, I logged off.

Current Impressions

Graphics: Thrilling, chilling, and just overall incredible.

Plot: I am still completely lost in terms of plot. I now have some scrappy background information to work with, but I still have nowhere near the whole story. I'm really hoping things will become more clear over time.

Combat: Still fresh, fun, and engrossing.

Questing: If there were less walk-and-talk quests, I'd be a very happy fatty puppy. I did really enjoy kicking that demon's rear though. More BAM quests, please?

Crafting and Gathering: Will there ever be a crafting tutorial? My inventory is getting clogged with... well, crap. I don't know what on earth to do with all these items. I sure do love gathering though. Exp, buffs, and items!

Until tomorrow...