After making a few rounds in PoF scooping up some easy loot at Sandscrawlers, all the while competing with a plat farmer 2-box, I decided to delete one of my in-hibernation lowbie toons and start a new one with the new character progression path.
I was impressed!
An Ogre Scout-something would be this new persona. The character selection pictures were nicely done and upgraded, and I hit the randomize button until I got a look I liked. Only thing I changed was the eye color, which I moved to white and beedy.
I enjoyed being able to preview each class along with the starting armor and clothes. I was glad to see each was different. I didn't see all 24 classes presented and was curious how they would become available. I surmised that only 16 classes were evil or neutral, thus being available. So I can't be a Ogre Ranger to start? dang...
The black screen started, and I listened to the dialogue move through, thinking it sounded a lot like that elven Lady of The Forest in Lord of The Rings. I was good with that, as long as I didn't get the sudden crazy-eye closeup from her.
Popping up on the screen, I saw the familiar IoR with a few structural and flora changes. The quests started quickly and I was on my way to rapid dinging. The familiar "ploop" sound of new skills was a welcome sound, and I knew I was about to have some fun with varied abilities. Having Stealth and Tracking at the start was a big plus. Also having a semi-set of armor was good and comforting.
I enjoyed how the quests were interlaced somewhat, but still having a different story and purpose. It was refreshing to have new quests that I have not done, even though most of them were "kill 10 snakes" type.
My favorite was the quest to drop a piece of bait and lure a bird down - ingenious! Other quests got me equiped with more armor and a few pieces of jewelry.
I suddenly had an idea to role-play my Ogre, Smish. An Iskar with blue scales came up and said he liked my armor.
"Smish like your blue tail", I responded.
He laughed.
"Smish want your blue tail", I said.
He paused. Then laughed again. I then knew this roleplaying thing would be fun.
During my next hour, I talked in-character to anyone I met, including this little gem:
"Smish sad."
What's wrong, Smish?", the Iskar asked.
"Smish can't find Leana" (a NPC for a quest)
"C'mon, we'll show you.", he said.
"That make Smish happy!"
They led me to the NPC, where I soundly trounced it. I bellowed a roar and cheer in true Ogre fashion. The Iskar told me, "Put me on your friends list."
"Smish don't have friends", I said sadly. "Smish like Blue Tail." (note that I was calling him not by his character name, but how I saw him) "Blue Tail Smish friend!"
I also set up a ever-popular INC macro, "Smish smash a ____!" More macro's like that are planned, also tying in voice emotes.
Roleplaying aside, I did the final quest, Final Assault I think it was. I was now level 7 and able to solo that mini-zone. I decided to see if I could re-do it as soon as I left. Shazam! That led to 30 minutes of farming to get the chest drops (each time) and a nice dual-wield weapon upgrade. I was reaveling in the loot that was pouring in, around 12 silver. :)
While on the IoR side of the instance door, I saw an Erudite mage looking at me.
"Smish like your shiny head", I said.
The Erudite put his hood on.
"Smish don't see your head! Smish want your head!"
The mage laughed at my RP immersion, handed me an Adept 1 book, and told me to leave, as I was stinking up the place.
Before I could respond, he zoned, obviously afraid for his life. :)
Yea, it's good to be an Ogre!
Almost forgot this one:
"Anything else I can help you with, Smish?", Blue Tail asked.
"See Smish run fast!" as I took off running...and kept going. Blue Tail was left there, wondering if this Forest Gump-like Ogre would return.