EAST COMMONLANDS

Location:	Adjacent to the city of Freeport	click to view expanded map and overlays...
Adjacent Zones:	West Commonlands, Nektulos Forest, Northern Desert of Ro, West Freeport
Level of Monsters:	1-20
Types of Monsters:	Decaying Skeletons, Snakes, Fire Beetles, Brown Bears, Shadow Wolves, Pumas, Lions, Lionesses, Orc Pawns, Orc Centurions, Orc Legionnaires, Orc Apprentices, Orc Oracles, Giant Scarabs, Asps, Rattlesnakes, Darkweed Snakes, Skeletons, Zombies, Lesser Mummies, Ghouls, Giant Spiders, Young Kodiaks, Air Elementals, Griffins
Notable NPC's:	Lord Shin Ree, Altunic Jarten, Squire Narl, Shady Swashbuckler, wandering merchants
Unique Items:	unknown
Indoor/Outdoor:	Outdoor

Project1999 Links: What's in this zone?

Description

The East Commonlands is a large open area that is adjacent to West Freeport, and contains both an area for newbies to train in as well as for adventurers that are more experienced. It is something of a melting pot, like Northern Desert of Ro, because many races mix in the area.

Dangers

The main danger in this zone is the Griffins that fly around and terrorize everyone. They are the highest level creature in the zone (beneath them are probably the rare mummy, and most of the others are less than tenth level), and fly from one end to the other, attacking all characters they encounter. Their danger is enhanced by the fact that they frequently can be seen floating in mid-air, when in fact they are much further away, or closer, because they haven't popped yet. It is good to know the numbering system for the Inns (numbers one through four, starting at the one closest to Freeport) as people will usually shout the location of the griffin as it makes it sweeps through the area.

Some of the other creatures are aggressive, most notably the undead and the orcs, but are readily avoidable if one is paying attention to where things are. Hunting the orcs in their camps is also dangerous, as oracles will frequently spawn in them. There are also typically large groups of players camping them.

Benefits

I'll be honest when I say that I feel East Commonlands is solely a place to pass through when travelling to better hunting. The number of random deadly creatures in this area make it a dangerous area for newbies, and for higher level characters there is simply not enough here to hunt on a regular basis. The exception to this is when snake hunting along the southern desert edge, or in one of the groups camping for the orcs.

There is also some fair hunting for solo and small groups by wandering throughout the zone and picking on giant scarabs, spiders, and young kodiaks, although you have to be around 10th level to do this.

As far as being a waypoint, this area is good because it provides a sort of waystation for most groups so that they don't have to travel far to sell goods or buy food. The area supplies characters with arrows, tiny daggers, food and several types of armor without leaving the area. It is also a convenient place to purchase trade items, such as gems and cooking and pottery supplies. For dark elves, this area is a boon, as most of the guards leave dark elves alone. This is also where the underground market is, notable for the Shady Swashbuckler who hangs out in the middle. Many of the player run bazaars and gatherings are held here, since it is free of monsters and safe for all races. It lies in the tunnel to North Ro.

Travelling To and From East Commonlands

East Commonlands is readily accessible, and provides a major hub for travel throughout Antonica. To the east lies West Freeport. To the west lie the West Commonlands, a very similar area to this one.

North lies a gap in the hills through to Nektulos Forest, the dark forest of the dark elves. To the south lies the tunnel that leads to the Northern Desert of Ro, where the underground market is.