In the first part of our interview with the EverQuest II team, we take a look at the new content, progression and more.

Max level players are always seeking new ways to advance their characters, and Tears of Veeshan opens up more customization with the introduction of the Dragon Alternate Advancement (AA) tree. "Dragon AAs are like standard AAs, so they'll enhance characters in a variety of different ways. Some will add new abilities, some will modify existing abilities and some will grant overall enhancements. The big difference is that these are shared across an archetype, so (for example) all Priests will have the same abilities available."

From what we saw of the Dragon AAs on beta, these will be a boon to all characters, regardless of play style. We were curious though—the Dragon AA tree allows for 100 total AAs to be allotted, yet the Alternate Advancement cap is being increased by only 20 points (from 320 to 340 max). We were told that "We want players to have to make choices and select and experiment with abilities. The team never intended for players to be able to buy every ability as their characters advance." Sounds like everyone may have to make some difficult choices on how best to spend their points in the Dragon AA tree.

One of the biggest methods of progression is through level cap increases, but the last time EverQuest II players saw an increase was when the cap raised from 92 to 95 as part of the Chains of Eternity expansion last November. Nearly one year and three levels later, we wondered if another increase was in the stars, but were told that it would be "sometime in the future! :P".

Progression isn't simply limited to adventuring, of course! Crafters will have "new recipe books, collection quest[s], [a] quest line and more" to look forward to in Tears of Veeshan. If that vague quote just isn't enough to sate your curiosity, check out our in-depth coverage of tradeskilling in ToV and also check out Niami's quest and collection reward coverage over on EQ2 Traders. You can see the new Carpenter, Provisioner and Sage house items over on Afista's EQ2 Design Gallery.

Our focus shifted some to the lore aspect of Norrath and first we inquired about Velious. In the classic EverQuest, players adventured from Cobalt Scar (which we saw in Game Update 66), through Siren's Grotto (also GU66), into Western Wastes (lore tells us that it was obliterated), and into the Temple of Veeshan. The Temple of Veeshan will be accessible from the Vesspyr Isles, but one other dungeon that also used to connect to Western Wastes seems to have been forgotten—Dragon Necropolis. When we asked whether our version of Norrath would ever get to see Dragon Necropolis or the Chetari (ratmen) who inhabited its depths, we were told that "anything is possible, but no plans." Zlandicar will just have to wait for another day.

Getting back on track with EverQuest II's story, we were curious how the Far Seas Trading Company, which, last we knew, controlled High Keep (including keeping its location a secret), could allow it to fall into the hands of some measly goblins, considering all the resources it has at its disposal. Wondering what happened, we were told that "…one of the things to remember about the dungeons in Tears of Veeshan is that the locations may not take place in the same version of Norrath ("thread") that you are playing in. So High Keep in the expansion could be past, present, future or any of those in a different reality." We think that Norrathians need to lay off the chronomagic pipe for a bit, but for those willing to take a magic carpet ride, last week a background story about the changing of hands within High Keep was released.

Read the conclusion of our interview, Wandering the Tears: Looking Beyond Veeshan, which takes a look at the new Tier 4 guild halls, mercenary slots and the future!

Ann "Cyliena" Hosler, Managing Editor

Senior Content Manager, EQII ZAM

Follow me on Twitter: @Cyliena