Greetings all

User written books are coming with GU52 and I'm sure there are many people who are very excited about this. I think it would be amazing for all of us EQ2 novelists and book buffs to have a place where we can meet, share ideas, review writings and discuss everything regarding this amazing new feature.

I personally cancelled my EQ2 account a year ago, but will reactivate it after GU52 launches. See you all in game - and writing!

related info

eq2players.station.sony.com/news_archive_content.vm

OMG you mean there are MMO’s that still develop tools useful to roleplayers? They seem to have taken there time on this one but a great development!

I would like to join that bookclub! I am just rejoining the game and have a start on a Wood Elf Ranger I am looking forward to playing - I believe I will be on the Najeena Server, for anyone interested also on that server ( I am from Australia) 

Here is the background, which I intend to transcribe into an in-game book when possible! 

The Looming Shadow

by Mark Hamilton

Lendrick - Wood Elf Ranger

Kelethian Forest, Springvale.

Lendrick paused, crouching and touched his supple leather gloves to the fresh tracks. The doe had just recently bounded this way. Lendrick breathed in fully, taking in the scents of the forest, hearing the fae in the distance playing like the eternal children they are.

The smell of fur and urine, the fear of the doe, knowing it was being tracked. Lendrick needed this hunt for his younger sister, who had fallen ill with the pox and required some venision blood for the concotion tha Jade Al'there, the local villages healer was making.

Springing lightly, the wood elf ranger quickly moved silently through the underbrush, the scent growing stronger. Moving into a secluded and shadowed glade, Lendrick spied the doe, having stopped and was nibbling on some fresh flowers.

Lendrick pulled the bowstring taught, muscles tensed, and took a bead on the doe. Letting three arrows fly in quick succession, two struch it in the rump and one through the nect. The doe falling with a gurgling scream. Lendrick sprang forward, re-slinging his bow and withdrawn his fathers skinning knife. Quickly moving to the fallen doe and cutting its throat, ending the pain, he retrieved two of the three arrows and slung the doe over his shoulders, to carry back to the village.

Lendrick said a quick thankyou to Tunare, and moved quickly through the underbrush.

Lendrick's mind was a whirl, so much had happened in the last week, including his sisters sickness, it seemed many things had begun to fall ill, as though a terrible Shdaow had fallen across the lands, sapping them of light and good health.

Lendrick's father had further expressed his wish for Lendrick to leave the forest, in an attempt to ascertain the cause of this blight, although Lendrick was loath to do so. His father had even set up accomadatiom for him in one of the major towns, Queynos, he beleived it was called, a horrible, human infested city, and nothing like the gorgeous nature of the trees Lendrick called home.

Returning with the slain doe, Jade set to it quickly extraciting its blood for the medicine. Lendrick further took to it with an axe, gutting and skinning it, before chopping the venison it meal sized portions.

Many thoughts were running through Lendricks minds at this point, and one could clearly see he was troubled. Troubled in the soul.

Not realizing, Lendrick's mind a turnmoil, he didnt notice his father approaching.

"Jade is well on her way with that potion, son, your sister will recover, have no fear"

Lendrick turned to regards his father, a majestic wood elf guardian of the Kelethian Grove. Lendrick himeself was well toned, with the Tribal markings of the Bear tattooed on his body. Lendrick sometimes daydreams and believes that his spirit guide is the bear, a woodland protector, the same that Lendrick sees himself as.

"As to the other matter, my son, you are meant for great deeds, and to be a protector far from here. The seer has shown us the way. You need to leave, today, and not look back. The forest and your family will always be here, waiting. The shadow looms though, Lendrick, and we need our best protectors out there, combating whatever evil this is. You are one of our best, and I say that unbiased. I dont want you to go, but for the good of the world, I understand that you need to go"

Lendrick was having a hard time coming to terms with this unknown responsabilty being thrust onto his shoulders.

"I feel so uncertain though" Lendrick exclaimed.

"It is a natural feeling, son, you just make sure you have a swift sword and bow at your side, and remember the training I have given to you and it will see you thoguh. You will no doubt learn new skills from getting away from here, and I encourage that. See if you can keep a journal of you travels as well, perhaps starting with today, and I will get word to you of your sister".

"I will, father, and thankyou".

Lendrick packed some quick essentials, resigning himself to leaving the forest, he wanted to slip away, as he abhors long farewells.

Grabbing some bread and wine, Lendrick stuffed his backpack and with bow and sword in hand, set out. Looking skyward, the day had become overcast. Lendrick sighed.   A shadow looming alright...