From Nagafen to Night of Shadows
The Raid Years
A history of EverQuest endgame raiding, one expansion at a time, from the open-world dragons of 1999 to the shadows over Shar Vahl in 2022. Every section links its sources; where the record is thin, the section is short.
EverQuest (original release) (1999)
Released March 16, 1999
Before there were instances or player caps, raiding meant a whole guild, sometimes two, crowded into the same zone as everyone else on the server. The first wall was dragons: Lord Nagafen at the back of his lair past the fire giants, and Lady Vox in her ice cave, with Phinigel Autropos in Kedge Keep beside them as the original big targets. Raids before the Planes of Power had no player limit at all, so whoever brought the most bodies and got there first usually won.
Above them sat the Outer Planes. The Plane of Sky was a chain of floating islands, and you climbed it key by key: the Efreeti’s Key and the Key of Swords were bought, and each island after that gave up the key to the next, through the Key of Scale and finally Veeshan’s Key on the Eye of Veeshan island. In the Plane of Fear Cazic-Thule waited behind a portal in the Feerrott, and the Plane of Hate held Innoruuk himself.
Sources: Allakhazam: EverQuest raid progression guide · Allakhazam: Keys and Flags · Allakhazam: Lord Nagafen · Allakhazam: Plane of Fear (zone)
The Ruins of Kunark (2000)
Released April 24, 2000
Kunark raised the cap to 60 and filled its jungles with dragons. Gorenaire roamed the Dreadlands, Severilous the Emerald Jungle, Talendor the Skyfire Mountains and Faydedar the Timorous Deep, while Venril Sathir haunted Karnor’s Castle and the Sarnak royals held Chardok.
The prize was keyed. To reach Trakanon in Old Sebilis you needed the Trakanon Idol from its access quest, and Veeshan’s Peak, the dragon city in the Skyfire Mountains where the Lords of Scale waited, opened only to those carrying the Cipher of Veeshan. Every raider needed a key of their own.
Sources: EverQuest.com: Ruins of Kunark Progression Primer · Allakhazam: Keys and Flags · Allakhazam: EverQuest raid progression guide
The Scars of Velious (2000)
Released December 5, 2000
Velious made raiding political. The Coldain, the frost giants of Kael Drakkel and the Claws of Veeshan were at war, and the side you chose would never get along with the others. Dain Frostreaver IV sat in Icewell Keep, King Tormax and Derakor the Vindicator in Kael, Lord Yelinak at the top of Skyshrine, and the Avatar of War deep in Kael. Klandicar and Sontalak flew over the Western Wastes, Zlandicar lay in the Dragon Necropolis, Wuoshi in the Wakening Land, and Tunare in the Plane of Growth.
The Temple of Veeshan was the summit: the Halls of Testing to the east, and the north wing’s Vault of Worship full of dragons who did not want visitors. Its key quest needed a drop from one of the major Velious raid bosses before you could open the Sleeper’s Tomb. There the four Warders guarded Kerafyrm, and every server learned the rule of killing three and leaving one. Blood of the Spider woke him first on The Rathe in the summer of 2001; by late 2003 only Rallos Zek’s Sleeper still slept, until a few hundred rival players teamed up and killed him.
Sources: EverQuest.com: Scars of Velious Progression Primer · Allakhazam: Keys and Flags · Allakhazam: EverQuest raid progression guide · Kotaku (2016): The death of EverQuest's 'unkillable' dragon · Giant Bomb: Kerafyrm's Lair
The Shadows of Luclin (2001)
Released December 4, 2001
On the moon, raiding went underground. Below the Echo Caverns, past the chasm in the Deep, lay Ssraeshza Temple of the Shissar, with the Arch Lich Rhag’Zadune, the High Priest, Vyzh’dra the Cursed and Xerkizh the Creator on the way to Emperor Ssraeshza, whose chamber was locked behind its own key quest. Lord Inquisitor Seru in Sanctus Seru needed a quest chain for his key, Grieg’s End its own key, Khati Sha the Twisted waited in Acrylia Caverns, and Shei Vinitras in the Akheva Ruins.
Then there was Vex Thal. Getting in meant gathering a pile of lucid shards from some of the rarest creatures on Luclin, and inside, the palace and wings had keys of their own. Clearing it could take a large raid countless hours; at the end waited High Priestess Aten Ha Ra and the Akheva.
Sources: EverQuest.com: Shadows of Luclin Progression Primer · Allakhazam: Keys and Flags · Allakhazam: EverQuest raid progression guide
The Planes of Power (2002)
Released October 29, 2002
The Planes of Power turned raiding into a flagging ladder. Almost every zone started locked. The Tribunal’s trials in the Plane of Justice, one group at a time, opened the way; then came arcs for Saryrn in Torment, Mithaniel Marr in the Halls of Honor, Agnarr in the Bastion of Thunder, and the Manaetic Behemoth, Tallon and Vallon Zek before Rallos Zek in Tactics. Solusek Ro’s tower needed Jiva, Xuzl, the Protector of Dresolik, Arlyxir and Rizlona. Then the elementals: Fennin Ro in Doomfire, Xegony in Eryslai, the Rathe Council after the earth rings, and Coirnav in the Reef. Every new recruit had to be dragged back through the ones they missed.
The reward was the Plane of Time and its six phases, ending with Quarm, the four elemental gods fused into one beast guarding Zebuxoruk’s chamber. Quarm lost a head at 75, 50 and 25 percent and summoned time vortex adds as he went. Developers still remember zoning into Time for the first time after months of getting guildmates flagged.
Sources: Allakhazam: Keys and Flags · Allakhazam: Quarm (Plane of Time event) · EverQuest.com: Planes of Power Progression Primer · Allakhazam: EverQuest raid progression guide
The Legacy of Ykesha (2003)
Released February 25, 2003
Ykesha was small, five zones on Broken Skull Rock, and its raiding was small too. The troll pirate ship Hate’s Fury lay hidden in a lagoon beneath the island, and the Crypt of Nadox, full of shrines to Innoruuk, promised his wrath to anyone who disturbed it. In the Torgiran Mines a shackle key started the Overseer Wrank event. Sources on this era’s raids are thin, so this is where we stop.
Sources: EverQuest.com: Legacy of Ykesha Progression Primer · Allakhazam: Keys and Flags
Lost Dungeons of Norrath (2003)
Released September 9, 2003
The Wayfarers brought the first instanced raids. Each of the five adventure themes, Deepest Guk, Miragul’s Menagerie, Mistmoore Catacombs, Rujarkian Hills and Takish-Hiz, had raid versions: the Ritualist of Hate in Guk, Frozen Nightmare and the Folly of Miragul’s Ambition in the Menagerie, the Scion Lair of Fury in Mistmoore, the War March of Imal Ojun in Rujarkian Hills, and the Palace Grounds in Takish-Hiz. They were also the first raids capped at 54 players, the number that would define raiding from then on.
Sources: Allakhazam: Lost Dungeons of Norrath · Allakhazam: EverQuest raid progression guide · EverQuest.com: Lost Dungeons of Norrath Progression Primer
Gates of Discord (2004)
Released February 10, 2004
Gates of Discord was remembered for its walls. Beyond Barindu every zone needed flags. The Tipt mission opened Kod’Taz and Yxtta, where the Ikkinz raid trials began. Ikkinz 4 and Uqua together opened the zones above, Inktu’Ta opened Txevu, and Tacvi, the Seat of the Slaver, needed a raid leader carrying the Signet of Command from Zun’Muram Tkarish Zyk. Riwwi, Qvic’s Cynosure Kvanjji and Txevu’s High Priest Nkosi Bakari marked the climb through Taelosia.
Sources: Allakhazam: Progression in Gates of Discord · Allakhazam: Keys and Flags · Allakhazam: EverQuest raid progression guide
Omens of War (2004)
Released September 14, 2004
In Discord, the Citadel of Anguish was the only locked zone. Seven signets, earned across Dranik, Riftseeker’s Sanctum, the Wall of Slaughter and the Muramite Proving Grounds, went to Taromani. The Proving Grounds raid trials of Adaptation, Foresight, Corruption, Endurance, Hate and Specialization each tested something different, from emotes that killed you if ignored to a mirror raid of NPC players.
Inside, Keldovan the Harrier, Jelvan, Ture and Warden Hanvar led to Arch Magus Vangl and then Overlord Mata Muram, with his mirrored-mask gaze, charmable coerced lieutenants and frenzied lashers.
Sources: Allakhazam: Keys and Flags · Allakhazam: Overlord Mata Muram event · Allakhazam: EverQuest raid progression guide
Dragons of Norrath (2005)
Released February 15, 2005
Dragons of Norrath split raiding by faction, Norrath’s Keepers against the Dark Reign, and made raids smaller and more varied. Calling Emoush and the Trial of Perseverance were capped at 24 players, Volkara’s Bite and Guardian of the Sands at 42, alongside the Goblin Dojo, Yar’Lir, the Curse of Ju’rek and finally Vishimtar the Fallen. Kessdona the Enlightened and Rikkukin the Defender were among its dragons.
Depths of Darkhollow (2005)
Released September 13, 2005
Darkhollow’s raiders spent their nights in Dreadspire Keep. Five Blood Raids, against Bloodeye, Matriarch Shyra, the Council of Nine, Emperor Draygun and Sendaii the Hive Queen, earned the Curse of Blood. Beyond them lay the Demiplane of Blood and the Theater of Blood, with Hatchet the Torturer, the Wailing Sisters, Mad Mary Anne, Vasella Fireblood and Maestro Tan’lor, and above it all Mayong Mistmoore.
The story behind the keep comes from everquest.com’s background lore, mirrored by EverQuest Archives. Mayong built Dreadspire with his drachnids and the Shadowmane werewolves, then left a trail for Norrathians to follow; cutting him down released the enchantment he had prepared, and he ascended. He went on to seize the Plane of Music and turn it into the Theater of Blood.
Sources: Allakhazam: EverQuest raid progression guide · Allakhazam: Blood Raid: The Council of Nine · Allakhazam: Blood Raid: Emperor Draygun · EverQuest.com: Mayong Mistmoore – Background Lore · EverQuest Archives: Mayong Mistmoore
Prophecy of Ro (2006)
Released February 21, 2006
Prophecy of Ro’s raids ran through Arcstone, Relic and Skylance, where Daosheen the Firstborn waited, and Razorthorn, home of Sullon Zek. Deathknell, the Tower of Dissonance, came last and needed its own access quest. The surviving sources are thin, so this section stays short.
Sources: Allakhazam: EverQuest raid progression guide · Allakhazam: Prophecy of Ro (Access to Deathknell)
The Serpent’s Spine (2006)
Released September 19, 2006
The Spine’s endgame split into two branches you could run in parallel. Ashengate fed from Direwind Cliffs: Kellak the Serpent Lord as a 24-player raid, Vergalid’s End, then Stitch and Sothgar before Ashengate North and Lethar. Frostcrypt fed from Valdeholm: Kangur, Udengar the Traitor and King Odeen before Frostcrypt, ending with Beltron the Shade King.
Sources: EQ Resource: The Serpent's Spine progression · Allakhazam: EverQuest raid progression guide
The Buried Sea (2007)
Released February 13, 2007
The Buried Sea had one raid destination: Solteris, the Throne of Ro, the expansion’s end zone. The team even made a video called “Raid on Solteris” to show its combat. Sources on the individual encounters are thin.
Sources: EverQuest.com (2007): The Buried Sea: Raid on Solteris · Allakhazam: EverQuest raid progression guide
Secrets of Faydwer (2007)
Released November 13, 2007
Secrets of Faydwer launched with 28 raid events in four tiers. Meldrath’s works filled them: Fortress Mechanotus with Octa the Collector, the Steam Factory, and Meldrath’s Majestic Mansion. Bloodmoon Keep, the Crypt of Shade and Scorn in the Hills of Shade were also part of it. The last tier was Crystallos, the Lair of the Awakened, where Kerafyrm had gone after he woke.
Sources: Allakhazam: Secrets of Faydwer · Allakhazam: EverQuest raid progression guide · EverQuest.com (2007): Secrets of Faydwer lore, Crystallos
Seeds of Destruction (2008)
Released October 21, 2008
Seeds of Destruction sent raids through rifts in time, from the Void to points where Discord could still be stopped. Bloody Kithicor, the Kaesora Library Council, Kurn’s Stronghold and the Field of Scale came first. The Fall of Toskirakk, Showdown at the Crystal Core and the Rathe Council Chambers, with the Brothers Zek and Rallos Returns, came next. Korafax and the Discord Tower finished it, ending at Overlord Muram and the Edge of Destruction.
Sources: Allakhazam: Seeds of Destruction · Allakhazam: EverQuest raid progression guide
Underfoot (2009)
Released December 15, 2009
Underfoot took raiders beneath Brell’s Rest. Fippy’s Revenge, The Beast Below, The Unburrowing and Masked Invaders opened it, and the Wrath of Brath and the Cliknar Queen came next. The Fungal Corruption, Brell’s Trials and An Audience with Brell Serilis led to the Convorteum, seven events from The Gatekeeper to The First Creation. Group missions unlocked each new tier.
Sources: Allakhazam: Progression Through Underfoot · Allakhazam: EverQuest raid progression guide
House of Thule (2010)
Released October 12, 2010
House of Thule opened in the nightmares of Morell-Thule. Ritual of Terror and Tick Tock began it; the Grounds, the Well, the Library and Erudin Burning followed. The Rusty Gate Key opened the upper floors, Al’Kabor’s Nightmare and Miragul’s Phylactery. The Tremulous Key opened Fear Itself, and the Sanctum Key opened Sanctum Somnium, seven events ending with Morell Ascendant. Once a raid was 85 percent flagged, the rest could come along.
Veil of Alaris (2011)
Released November 15, 2011
On Alaris, an evolving Record of Tales unlocked each tier, and up to 54 players could earn credit. The raids ran from Argath and the Valley of Lunanyn, where Prexus fell, through the Beasts’ Domain, the Resplendent Temple, Windsong and Erillion, City of Bronze. The Sepulcher of Order ended them, five events closing on The Triune God.
Rain of Fear (2012)
Released November 28, 2012
Rain of Fear started at Shard’s Landing and the Madness of King Tormax in Kael Drakkel, then went on through the Breeding Grounds, Evantil and the Valley of King Xorbb into the Heart of Fear: Threshold, Rebirth and Epicenter, ending with An End to Fear. The Corrupted Temple of Veeshan returned with thirteen encounters.
Sources: Allakhazam: Raiding in Rain of Fear
Call of the Forsaken (2013)
Released October 8, 2013
Forsaken raids lived in the Ethernere: the Doomscale Horde in Tainted West Karana, the Bixie Warfront, the Dead Hills and the Houses of Thex in Neriak’s Fourth Gate. The Hate Rising update in January 2014 added more. A second tier in mid-2014 brought the Tower of Rot with Lord Kyle Bayle, Argin-Hiz and The Void.
The Darkened Sea (2014)
Released October 28, 2014
The Darkened Sea’s raiders asked Firiona Vie for Arx Mentis: Defense of the City, then the three Principals, then Calix Quirinus, with key clicks earned along the way. One-off raids such as Captain Tita’s Ghost and Praetor Vitio filled out the nights.
The Broken Mirror (2015)
Released November 18, 2015
The Broken Mirror split Sul Vius into life and decay, with Anashti Sul as Lady of Life and Damsel of Decay. The Crypt of Decay and Plane of Health led to the Crypt of Sul, ending with Anashti Sul, Enslaver of Souls. Revisited Plane of Hate and Plane of Fear expeditions brought the classic planes back for raids again.
Empires of Kunark (2016)
Released November 16, 2016
Empires of Kunark went back to the old continent. After Lceanium and the Temple of Droga came Chardok, with Prince Selrach and Queen Velazul Di’zok, and twelve completions were needed before Kor-Sha Laboratory opened. There Kar’Zok, An Ancient Dragon and Atrebe Sathir took sixteen Chardok completions to reach.
Ring of Scale (2017)
Released December 12, 2017
Ring of Scale built to a return to Veeshan’s Peak. The Overthere, Skyfire and Gorowyn came first, then the Crypt Robbers, Drusella’s Vault and The Sathir Line in Sathir’s Tomb. Only then, with the Seal of Scale, could a raid face Hoshkar, Silverwing and Xygoz, and Talendor in the Peak.
Sources: Allakhazam: Raiding in Ring of Scale
The Burning Lands (2018)
Released December 11, 2018
The Burning Lands carried raids through Stratos, the Plane of Smoke and the Plane of Fire, where General Reparm waited. Empyr followed, with Prince Ralaifin and the Conflagration Generals, then Esianti, Aalishai and Mearatas, with the Battle Writ of the Jann achievements tracking the war.
Torment of Velious (2019)
Released December 18, 2019
Torment of Velious put Griklor, the Servant of the Sleeper and the Restless Assault first. The Heart of Frozen Shadow brought Till Death Do Us Part and Tserrina Syl’Tor. Seeking the Sorcerer, Derakor and the Avatar of War closed it.
Claws of Veeshan (2020)
Released December 8, 2020
Claws of Veeshan staggered its raid tiers on January 7, February 6 and March 8, 2021, each a month apart to ease holiday raiding pressure. Tantor, Klandicar and the New Brood, and Zlandicar Reborn came first. Aaryonar, Sontalak and The Crusaders came next, and Defenders of the Tomb, the Amalgam Arbiter and Vulak’Aerr closed it.
Terror of Luclin (2021)
Released December 7, 2021
Terror of Luclin returned to the moon. Its tiers opened January 8, February 5 and March 5: the Umbral Plains with Zelnithak and Doomshade, Maiden’s Eye, Shei Vinitras in Ka Vethan, Vex Thal again with Aten Ha Ra, and Shadow Valley, where the Oubliette of Light came before the Primal Vampire and Close the Gate.
Sources: Allakhazam: Raiding in Terror of Luclin · EQ Resource: Terror of Luclin
Night of Shadows (2022)
Released December 6, 2022
Night of Shadows opened its raids on January 7, February 4 and March 4, 2023. They began with Insatiable Appetite in the Paludal Depths and the fight for Shar Vahl Divided in Mean Streets, Pit Fight and Under Siege. When One Door Closes in the Ruins of Shadow Haven came next, then the Myconid Mutiny and Dance of the Demiurge in Deepshade, and The Spirit Fades in Darklight Caverns, ending at Firefall Pass with The Shadows Move.
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