As promised, NCsoft has released an initial set of translated Aion version 2.0 patch notes from the 2.0 build currently in testing on the Korean public test servers.

While the patch isn't slated to go live in the states for some time (given the fact 1.9 hasn't even been deployed yet!), player interest in the 2.0 patch has been high, and for good reason! Version 2.0 will make some major changes and additions to the game, and while I won't go through all of them here you can read below for some highlights.

• Introduction of the Balaur homeland: Balaurea, which includes two new regions, with monsters level 51 and above. Each region will also be home to two fortresses and four artifacts.
• Balaurea will also feature new a number of new flight options, one of which includes the previously covered "windstreams." Windstreams can be flown into by daevas where they are then boosted through at high speeds. Some windstreams can be left early if the daeva chooses, while others are too powerful and will require the daeva to remain within until they arrive at the end of the stream. Flight time will not be used up while a daeva is within a stream. 
• Updrafts and geysers are also being introduced in addition to windstreams, and these will allow players to gain ascend to higher areas by either catching an updraft with their wings, or by riding the eruption of a geyser beneath them.
• Many new instanced dungeons have been added as well, including: Udas Temple, Udas Underground Temple,Taloc's Hollow, Nightmare, Beshmundir Temple,  Haramel, Debris of Abyss, and Chantra Dredgion.
• The level cap has been raised to 55, and there are many new skills introduced to the game to fill out the new level range.
• Crafting has also seen a raise in skill cap, now maxing out at 549, and harvesting vitality of Weathered Shapes near windstreams may produce unique weapons.
• Tons of new quests have been added.
• A new pet system has also been added in version 2.0, introducing pet categories such as Warehouse (storage pets ranging anywhere from 6-24 slots), Alertive (alerts its master when an opposing race character approaches them), Productive (feeding this pet may produce a manastone, enchantment stone, or a number of other resources), and Multi-type pets, which as their name would imply, feature multiple functions.
• And much more (seriously!)