Whispers from the Crypt – A Project 1999 Event

[DesterWindall]

Across Norrath, the graveyards stir. Whispers rise on the autumn winds — names long forgotten, grief never laid to rest. The voices are not of the dead, but of one who mourns them still.

The Mourner calls.

Once a priest, now something far darker, he believes grief is memory, and memory must never fade. His design is terrible in its simplicity: to bind all sorrow into one vessel, a mortal who will carry the grief of all Norrath. Through this vessel, the veil between life and death will shatter.
But not all see this as salvation. To some, it is a curse beyond imagining — a world drowned in endless mourning, where no loss ever heals and no joy survives.
Two factions rise:

The Hand of Decay, who embrace the Mourner’s vision. To them, suffering proves love, and memory eternal is worth any cost.

The Order of Stillness, who resist with equal fervor. To them, silence is mercy, and forgetting is the only true release.


The season of shadows has returned. Will grief endure, eternal and unbroken? Or will silence fall, final and absolute?
The choice, and the burden, belong to you.

Happy Season of Spooks and Frights, Norrathians!
“Whispers from the Crypt” is a P99 special event for this Halloween season! This event features multiple components through November 12th, sure to put a little extra spook in your step, including:


Corrupted Body Parts have been unearthed by The Mourner and his minions, and will begin dropping from non-trivial kills across Norrath. These body parts can be turned into Emissaries of the Mourner, representing the Hand of Decay, or Penitent Cryptkeepers, representing the Order of Stillness. Either of these factions are sure to appreciate your support, as they hope to either embrace the Mourner’s suffering or let the dead finally rest.

Characters who turn in at least 10 Corrupted Body Parts to one of the sides will be entered into a raffle at the end of the event for a temporary title on the character! However, be sure to pick a side and stick with it! For every turn-in completed for the opposite faction counts against your total.

Two phases of the event, complete with a unique quest per phase. As the Mourner’s power grows and he gets more desperate later in the event, you may even see unique undead monsters brought to life across Norrath.

On both the Blue and Green servers, the event will include a PvPvE showdown, where the Hand of Decay and Order of Stillness will face off, once and for all!


Prepare yourself, for the battle to let the dead rest is upon us, and only you can help determine the fate of Norrath!

[UPDATE] 11/13/25 9AM - The Halloween 2025 Event has now concluded across all P99 servers. We hope everyone had an incredible time! Check back later this evening where we will announce the winners of our raffle for a temporary title for characters who have turned in at least 10 Corrupted Body Parts to a given faction!

[UPDATE] 11/13/25 10PM - The raffle has been completed for our temporary titles for those who have completed at least 10 turn in's to a given faction! All 3 winners supported the Hand of Decay. Congratulations to our winners! These titles will remain on their character through on or around 3/1/26.

Blue: Slewmonk the Emissary of Decay

Green: Oort the Emissary of Decay

Red: Animal the Emissary of Decay

[boromn]

Awesome! Glad I didn’t miss it as my client crashed right as the graves were awaking lol.

[Ekco]

neat.

[Moll]

Coolio!

[Ike R Umba]

Eep!

[Raikn Onikra]

sooooo, what are the jewelry pieces of mourning for?

[eqtime]

Very cool and a lot of work. Thank you to those involved.

[TheBardo]

sooooo, what are the jewelry pieces of mourning for?

this!!

[TheBardo]

i've tried to hand in the jewlry to the evil npc outside najena and got no response.

Handing in corrupted body part to the same guy rewarded me with a ivu pot

[IanelarAzure]

OH YEAH!!

[Moll]

There is an interesting NPC hanging out around the Toxx druid rings that might have some info ...

[busted]

Handed in a "ring of mourning" thing to the mob in kael at EW zoneline and he just ate it.

Looks like you need all the lore items to get something?

[Xulia]

Let's go!

[spoil]

Handed in a "ring of mourning" thing to the mob in kael at EW zoneline and he just ate it.

Looks like you need all the lore items to get something?

No idea.

Handed a locket to the chronicler or whatever NPC at toxx druid rings and he ate it.

[Staffman]

"These body parts can be turned into Emissaries of the Mourner, representing the Hand of Decay, or Penitent Cryptkeepers, representing the Order of Stillness."

Are the jewelry items the "body parts" or are there actual body parts dropping?

[OrchardTowers]

I’ve managed to loot 3 “mourners” items (ring, necklace, and locket) so far, and also 2 “body parts” (which stack) so it feels like they are for separate quests….

But my “feels like” isn’t incontrovertible proof of anything.

Anyone have personal experience they can share please?

Thanks.

[Divinitous]

I’ve managed to loot 3 “mourners” items (ring, necklace, and locket) so far, and also 2 “body parts” (which stack) so it feels like they are for separate quests….

But my “feels like” isn’t incontrovertible proof of anything.

Anyone have personal experience they can share please?

Thanks.

Handed three trinkets to the DE at EW zoneline in Kael. He ate em. No response.

[Staffman]

The guy at the druid ring in Tox (aged something) is the turn in guy for the 3 jewelry pieces (ring, locket, and necklace). He gives a worn note AND 2 corrupted body parts. The initial post from the GM indicates they are turned in to either the emissary or the other guy, depending on which faction path you want to follow.

[Centurionx]

The guy at the druid ring in Tox (aged something) is the turn in guy for the 3 jewelry pieces (ring, locket, and necklace). He gives a worn note AND 2 corrupted body parts. The initial post from the GM indicates they are turned in to either the emissary or the other guy, depending on which faction path you want to follow.

Aww man, I gave the 3 pieces to the dark elf at the Najena zone and didn't even say thabnk you lol. I'll give em to the tox guy next go round.

Thanks =)

[classiceq4me1980]

My interactions so far with this super confusing event:

3x Mourner jewelry pieces (ring, locket, necklace) to an Emissary of the Mourners outside Najena and nada, no reply, nothing.

1x Mourner jewelry piece and 1x Body Part to a Penitent Cryptkeeper in Thurgadin and he gave me 1x IVU pot and ate the other, not sure which I handed in first.

FYI: There is a Penitent Crpytkeeper in WFP outside the Cleric's guild.

Also, the original message announcing this says only drops off mobs of non trivial challenge seems incorrect, got a mourner jewelry item off orc pawns.

[Infectious]

Best community and guides in the game. Thank you for taking your time to offer an event for everybody. Happy halloween

[shovelquest]

God bless our hard working american guides!

[Valakut]

so the jewelry is useless and the body parts are the only thing that matter?

[commandojonesy]

so the jewelry is useless and the body parts are the only thing that matter?

Hand ALL three jewelry pieces to the aged chronicler

[Staffman]

handed all 3 jewelry (ring, necklace, and locket) to Aged Chronicler, got the note and 2 corrupted body parts...all no drop (body parts stackable)

Do the body parts also drop from mobs?

[Nilstoniakrath]

handed all 3 jewelry (ring, necklace, and locket) to Aged Chronicler, got the note and 2 corrupted body parts...all no drop (body parts stackable)

Do the body parts also drop from mobs?

Did this, and then turned those items (note + 2 body parts) to the dark elf npc in West Karana. All one at a time

the parts resulted in a gem, and got wolf form cast on me, from the two parts. Both gave faction hits also

the note, he just ate

No idea what the note is for, the chronicler didnt give any useful, i e bracketted, dialogue when I hailed him after receiving

Yes, the body parts drop from mobs also, both xp and green mobs can drop in my experience

[Aelzrith]

Hand ALL three jewelry pieces to the aged chronicler

This!

Hand ALL three jewelry pieces to the aged chronicler - You will get a note (and maybe some bodyparts)

turn the bodyparts into the cryptkeeper or the other guy

no idea what the note is for yet

[thomasamar]

Where is the aged chronicler?

[Staffman]

Where is the aged chronicler?

Tox Dru rings

[Valakut]

cryptkeeper looking like Snackies

[IzHaN80]

Is this quest worth it? I mean, what are the gifts/rewards?

[Fingurs]

Of course, not only that: Its really well done / fun.

Highly encourage it :)

[honloro]

an aged chronicler says 'Whispers carry more than fear. They carry memory.'

You say, 'Hail, an aged chronicler'

an aged chronicler The old man startles, blinking against the snow.
an aged chronicler says, 'Do you hear them? The whispers that slip beneath the wind? They are not the dead, no… they are one man’s grief, stretched across Norrath like a funeral shroud. Fenrial, he was once named — a priest who buried too many of his flock with his own hands. Silence broke him, and from his sorrow rose the [Mourner].'

You say, 'what mourner'

an aged chronicler says, 'His grief hardened into obsession. He feared the gods would let the dead be forgotten. So he swore none would fade, not while he yet wept. He turned relics of his loss into anchors of memory, binding his sorrow into the world itself.'

an aged chronicler says, 'If you wish to understand the Mourner, you must recover what he left behind. A locket, prayer beads, and a simple ring — three keepsakes of the ones he lost. They are scattered now, carried by the restless dead who answer his call.'

[Sirquestalot]

<deep breath>
Have you guys ever PLAYED Everquest before this? The note.... has anyone tried READING it? This ain't your momma's WoW easy mmo... .you're supposed to use your brain just a little bit sometimes, and not expect everything to be spelled out on the wiki for you.

Sadly, I have had to spend time going to work and have not been able to put enough time into the game yet to get all 3 of the trinket items, so I haven't had the chance to acquire the note and attempt to read it for myself. But if someone has the note and would like to enlighten the rest of us with what is says, that would be GREAT! Thanks.

(Yeah, the first paragraph of this should probably be in Rants and Flames, but ... well, yeah...)

[Ekco]

^this

first thing i'd do is cast identify on the items also to see if they put any info in there.

[Moll]

But if someone has the note and would like to enlighten the rest of us with what is says, that would be GREAT! Thanks.



A Tattered and Worn Note

"They told me silence was mercy. They told me stillness was peace. But silence does not speak the names of the dead. Stillness does not remember their faces.

If the living forget, then let the dead rise. Let them whisper. Let the world hear their grief as I do.

When many carry the wound, none survive. When one carries it, the world remembers.

--The Mourner--"

[kus]

Seems like Corrupted Body Part is super ultra rare: I've killed perhaps 200 dark blue (exp-giving) mobs and seen not a single Corrupted Body Part drop. Nada. Zilch.

In those 200 kills I've seen several Prayer Beads, as well as 2 Lockets, but not a single Ring, either. I've killed over 400 greenies (no exp) to see if my luck might change, but seen nothing whatsoever drop from them. Not a single item of any kind.

Sad to say it, but pursuing seems like a colossal waste of time. At the current rate, it could take literally several months of playing 12+ hours a day before I might get 10 body parts. I'm not sure I have the stamina to forego sleep and up my play time to 20+ hours a day. :P

[Sirquestalot]

Thank you, Moll, seems the note is just flavor and no apparent information regarding further questing or the teased event toward the end of the week, but it's nice to see what it was.

And yeah, kus, I feel your pain. But the reward for 10 turn-ins of body parts is just entry into a raffle for a temporary title, so unless that's your thing, it's not that big a loss.

Interestingly (to me), I got a ring drop from a level 1 super duper green kill, so it seems body parts only drop from non-trivial but ... unless this is what they patched... the trinkets can drop from any mob in the world. (?) Maybe that's why you need 3 and have to travel to the end of the world to get the 2 body parts from the turn-in.

All told, it's nice to have an event, much thanks to the hosts, staff and volunteers who are dedicated to making p99 great. I know we don't say it enough, so ....
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! (infinity)

[Moppelchen]

Re quest rewards - here's what I've gotten so far on my bard (30 parts handed in):
4x wolf form illusion
3x antiweight potion
1x flawless diamond
5x ivu potion
3x invis potion
1x Black Marble
2x Crushed Flame Emerald
1x Diamond
1x Exquisite Silver Turquoise Ring (shitty bard ring)
4x skeleton illusion
1x some other illusion (skelly illusion blocked it)
2x imp illusion
1x Throat of the Sirent (shitty bard neck)
1x Blue Diamond

[Arcturius]

Do you hand in the ring, the locket and the necklace to the aged chronicler all at once or one at a time?

[WiseFrob]

^this

first thing i'd do is cast identify on the items also to see if they put any info in there.

I did that but I'm not at my computer to get the exact text.

The beads mention that they are colorful and belong to a little girl.
The locket mentions that it contains a message for a son.
The ring is a woman's diamond wedding band.

Strangely, when you turn them into the chronicler he says its a daughters locket and a parishioners beads. Probably just overlooked but maybe the chronicler is lying to us.

[kus]

All told, it's nice to have an event, much thanks to the hosts, staff and volunteers who are dedicated to making p99 great. I know we don't say it enough, so ....
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! (infinity)

I would absolutely like to second that! The work that went into this, including the writing (posting of the event announcement and the in-game dialog) is really well done, and the idea behind the two factions is a nice dip into philosophical territory, too. My hat's off to everyone involved in this event!

[p99Crooks]

Do you hand in the ring, the locket and the necklace to the aged chronicler all at once or one at a time?

All at once.

[Ennewi]

Agreed, 100% worth acknowledging the quality writing scattered throughout this event. Despite the fact that players are known to skim or skip over quest dialogue, there's a lot of classic flavor there. /applaud

[kus]

Do you hand in the ring, the locket and the necklace to the aged chronicler all at once or one at a time?

Correct, all 3 at the same time. I have no clue if this can be MQ'd.

FWIW, I've finally got 1 Corrupted Body Part to drop and looted a rotting ring to complete the set of three, so now I have 3 body parts. Progress!

[IanelarAzure]

Correct, all 3 at the same time. I have no clue if this can be MQ'd.

FWIW, I've finally got 1 Corrupted Body Part to drop and looted a rotting ring to complete the set of three, so now I have 3 body parts. Progress!

I can't say I have scientific proof behind it, but it "feels" like relogging in may give you a different chance at the drops. I played almost all day yesterday, 8+ hours, and got 1 corrupted body part. I played about 6 hours today and had 5 drop.

[Moll]

A Tattered and Worn Note

"They told me silence was mercy. They told me stillness was peace. But silence does not speak the names of the dead. Stillness does not remember their faces.

If the living forget, then let the dead rise. Let them whisper. Let the world hear their grief as I do.

When many carry the wound, none survive. When one carries it, the world remembers.

--The Mourner--"

Upon handing all three pieces of jewelry to an aged chronicler:

an aged chronicler lays the relics in the snow, his hands trembling.
an aged chronicler says, 'These were not treasures of gold or glory, but of memory. A daughter's locket. A parishioner's beads. A wife's ring. Each loss tore him apart, until silence was no longer mercy. He bound their grief into himself, and when his arms could carry no more, he sought a vessel that could'
an aged chronicler presses a tattered note into your hands and says 'Read his words. Know why the dead no longer rest.'

You then receive the Tattered and Worn Note mentioned above as well as two corrupted body parts. Just some extra info for anyone interested.

Makes me wonder though. The Mourner sought a vessel.

"When one carries it, the world remembers."

I wonder if we'll meet this vessel.

/shrug

[wuanahto]

Can this event end tomorrow on a tuesday? the level 60s flooding exp zones looking for junk to get a rock, illusion or other misc things is starting to take a toll

thanks for the thing but this is one of those unintended consequences things where the cons outweigh the pros due to humans being humans.

[Goregasmic]

I can't say I have scientific proof behind it, but it "feels" like relogging in may give you a different chance at the drops. I played almost all day yesterday, 8+ hours, and got 1 corrupted body part. I played about 6 hours today and had 5 drop.

Killed a couple hundred exp mobs over multiple sessions and got 2necks, 1 ring, 1 locket and 1 body part. I think RNG gonna RNG and sometimes you get lucky.

[Jimjam]

Can this event end tomorrow on a tuesday? the level 60s flooding exp zones looking for junk to get a rock, illusion or other misc things is starting to take a toll

thanks for the thing but this is one of those unintended consequences things where the cons outweigh the pros due to humans being humans.

Go kill sub 40 xp mobs?

[Staffman]

Can this event end tomorrow on a tuesday? the level 60s flooding exp zones looking for junk to get a rock, illusion or other misc things is starting to take a toll

thanks for the thing but this is one of those unintended consequences things where the cons outweigh the pros due to humans being humans.

I'd suggest removing yourself if "humans being humans" bothers you.

[hockeymaniac911]

I just want to say in the chance that any of the staff / volunteers / guides / GMs read through this thread, I really appreciate the effort you guys put into this event. It's like a better version of the event last year with way more story, lore, and quest steps that is typical in nature for a quest in Everquest. It really feels like someone put a decent amount of their time into the lore and as a holiday event has been enjoyable as an addition to the game in the spirit of similar events in the past. Thank you for adding something to the server I'm committed to, the game I'm addicted to, and the community I am a part of. I'm sure there are others that feel this way as well.

[IanelarAzure]

I just want to say in the chance that any of the staff / volunteers / guides / GMs read through this thread, I really appreciate the effort you guys put into this event. It's like a better version of the event last year with way more story, lore, and quest steps that is typical in nature for a quest in Everquest. It really feels like someone put a decent amount of their time into the lore and as a holiday event has been enjoyable as an addition to the game in the spirit of similar events in the past. Thank you for adding something to the server I'm committed to, the game I'm addicted to, and the community I am a part of. I'm sure there are others that feel this way as well.

Agreed! These events have been the most fun in EQ since 1999!

[WiseFrob]

Excited to see the next lore drop tomorrow? Hopefully I get more than 1 set of quest items on my grind from 58 to 59. The drop rate is wild. Would love to see a compilation of loot drops. Heard monks get a sick 20sv all ring. A little better than the 8ac 5str 15hp braces warriors seem to get ��

[Vagaron]

I just want to say in the chance that any of the staff / volunteers / guides / GMs read through this thread, I really appreciate the effort you guys put into this event. It's like a better version of the event last year with way more story, lore, and quest steps that is typical in nature for a quest in Everquest. It really feels like someone put a decent amount of their time into the lore and as a holiday event has been enjoyable as an addition to the game in the spirit of similar events in the past. Thank you for adding something to the server I'm committed to, the game I'm addicted to, and the community I am a part of. I'm sure there are others that feel this way as well.

We do read it, thanks for the kind words and glad you're enjoying it. The events team worked hard on it!

[DesterWindall]

Agreed, 100% worth acknowledging the quality writing scattered throughout this event. Despite the fact that players are known to skim or skip over quest dialogue, there's a lot of classic flavor there. /applaud

Thank you! We do read the feedback and work to make each one better... like from last years christmas event, we know not to shout anymore as our primary chat channel during a CSR event.. oops! We try to learn, lol. Really want to give props to Nilbog and Tellin who worked tirelessly on the coding and adding other ideas. You have no idea how many hours they put into it... and there is more still yet to come!

[OriginalContentGuy]

Thank you! We do read the feedback and work to make each one better... like from last years christmas event, we know not to shout anymore as our primary chat channel during a CSR event.. oops!

The assembled server heckling Frost elves in West Commons was a singular joy I will carry forward always unto all time.

[WiseFrob]

Looking forward to the rest of the lore dump for phase 2. I've enjoyed the snippets of story we've had and am curious of the roles the two factions played in the death of Fanriel's family. I can't wait to slap around some Hand of Decay dorks in the PvPvE event as well.

[OriginalContentGuy]

I heard there was some dude interested in the body parts outside the cleric temple in Freeport and this story checked out. I'm sure there was an explanation from the gentleman I didn't catch but he transformed me into a skeleton to the bones for all to see in exchange for a body part he asked for. Awesome as this was I proceeded to give my second part I had found and next I was a wolf.

Not sure about this whole business but I'm a busy professional and walked away to my next appointment. Hope he isn't a jerk or I'll kick his butt. Also got a note from some wizard in Toxxulia Forest after I gave him three Jewelry Pieces but it makes about as much sense as anything else when body parts start appearing.

Huzzah!

[Fingurs]

Wanted to come on here and add:

This is the best event in my 8 years on p99. Truly exceptional, considering the neat trinkets. So many of us have done everything 100x over.

To be able to login and not know whats coming, and to be met with new items, its truly awesome.

Yes I know some are not considered great, but there are some that are neat and unknown.

This is fantastic. Big kudos to the team. The whole guild is out farming. Good times.

[Medris]

A cool wind rustles the leaves gathered by your feet, carrying with it the sound of single, heartbroken sob.

You begin to feel the ground slowly twitching, as though it is being upturned in places all across Norrath.

Something is amiss, as you feel the veil between life and death slightly thinning.

The "Whispers from the Crypt" event has now entered it's second phase.

[Sarkis]

Killed a Crypt Matron and received a Fragment of Defiance, not sure where to turn it in atm.

[commandojonesy]

Killed a Crypt Matron and received a Fragment of Defiance, not sure where to turn it in atm.

Where did yo ukill a Crypt Matron, I haven't seen anything yet from phase 2

[Fingurs]

Phase 2 unfortunately as far as we know so far is extremely random (or is it? --- TBD)

Mobs have popped in random zones like DL or Iceclad and can drop the new parts (which Sarkis mentioned), and Bodyparts (those are still dropping, at an extremely low rate), and dropping rare loot.

For example: Rune Branded Girdle.

Thats all I know at this time.

Definitely way way way way way way more obscure then phase 1.

[OriginalContentGuy]

You serious? Brell's beard! Gonna need confirmation before I believe that one myself.

[Tal49]

Saw one Crypt Matron in South Karana, nuke me at 35 for 204 DD wizard spell.

[Staffman]

What level is this beast?

[Staffman]

killed 2 green mobs last night on a lv 60:

1. a crypt lashed matron (dropped a fragment of binding, corrupted body parts, and fishbone earring)

2. a crypt whisperer (dropped corrupted body parts)

[Ike R Umba]

the Aged Chronicler is gone from the Toxx rings. hoping he comes back (at least somewhere), as i have a few sets of trinkets corpsed and no one to give them to. =/

[Bigcountry23]

killed 2 green mobs last night on a lv 60:

1. a crypt lashed matron (dropped a fragment of binding, corrupted body parts, and fishbone earring)

2. a crypt whisperer (dropped corrupted body parts)

Where did you find them?

[Staffman]

Is there a new turn-in NPC for the phase 2 items?

[Bigcountry23]

I think Lake Rathe?

[Deeppockets]

There is a Crypt Whisperer on Erud's Crossing Island...Red to 21 Druid. The Skeleton paths randomly over island; does not attack other mobs/merchants

[commandojonesy]

After a conversation with a Hollow Acolyte in lake rathe (approx 2390, 2430) in he asks for two fragments, one that binds, and one that resists. Still searching for those...

[Atmas]

Big thanks to the staff for putting on this fun event

[Ekco]

Big thanks to the staff for putting on this fun event

+1

[Xulia]

Great event and solid turnout for the Arena.
Good work from all involved.

[Snaggles]

Had a lot of fun! Camped out in the arena afterwards just to make sure if y'all were randomly donating Guises :D

[Valakut]

Event seems decent overall but could use some tweaking. Mainly split the body parts into 2 types large & small. Keep the large on the current rarity where you can xp for 9 hours and get 1 body part for a velious bp gem or a high tier alchemy potion wort/port/gate. But make the small body part more common and reward illusions and low tier alchemy potion with a fraction of the turn in faction as well. I appreciate the work that goes into this but it's a bad experience grinding for 9 hours to get 1 body part and get an illusion you could have gotten if you just went afk in the ec tunnel.

I can't speak to the arena aspect because I opted to keep exping. Just skip this part of my review.

It may be harder to do but it would be nice if 60s farming greens during GM events got zero loot/faction. Theres a lot of unemployed people cock blocking the entire event in some of the best leveling zones on their 60s farming greens. I'm not really sure how you combat this since most of the server is unemployed or work from home. And requires constant validation through monopolizing content because they never had their emotional needs met as a child.

[loramin]

It may be harder to do but it would be nice if 60s farming greens during GM events got zero loot/faction. Theres a lot of unemployed people cock blocking the entire event in some of the best leveling zones on their 60s farming greens. I'm not really sure how you combat this since most of the server is unemployed or work from home. And requires constant validation through monopolizing content because they never had their emotional needs met as a child.

The staff has the capability to do this, as The Warrens and Stonebrunt Mountain already have the "trivial loot code" written.

Most likely they didn't use it for the same reason Verant abandoned the TLC: high level players are players too, and penalizing them for daring to level doesn't really fit EQ. You see that guy whose X levels higher than you as an enemy stealing "your" content, but he just sees himself as someone who wants to play the game and experience the new custom Haloween event.

I think a more holistic solution would be to make items drop off a wide variety of mobs ... and seeing as how I picked up some quest bits in both South Karana and Karnor's Castle, it seems to me like the devs did exactly that (although I never tried to complete the quests, so maybe I missed a true bottleneck elsewhere?).

[Goregasmic]

Yeah I did like 44 to 47,5 during that timeframe and got 2 body parts. Didn't really care about the rewards but it barely felt like there was an event going on. Drop rate could be turned up and rewards adjusted accordingly or something like that to make it more involved.

Not dissing the event, just an observation from a semi casual player.

[Ekco]

but it barely felt like there was an event going on

can fix that by making it rain blood like in fear for the entire event or something, i remember seeing a GM turn that on in gfay for a event once

that's how i'd do an event, make it night in all the zones and raining blood while inny/ct shitpost in global for a week

2 spooky.

[htabdoolb]

I adventured in Lower Guk during the event, not really changing my routine much, and found that the Corrupted Body Parts only ever dropped off of named mobs or their PHs. The quest jewelry seemed to drop off anything and at a much higher rate than the parts, green con mobs or not, but only during a short period at the beginning.

I just turned in seven parts, all I have looted/quested during the event, and was illusioned twice, received two antiweight potions, a potion of unlife awareness, and got two Polished Fine Steel Mantles for my efforts.

The one mantle I got to keep, because the other poofed due to lore, was a MAGIC LORE NO DROP shoulder slot item for all races but only paladins. It gave +5 strength, +4 stamina, +20 hit points, and had 17 AC.. all for 1 weight on a item size SMALL. The icon was the standard leather shoulderpads. I would add it to the wiki, but apparently creating new items is a big pain in the ass, so I'll let Loramin do it if he wants.

Though it isn't quite over, I'd rate the event as a whole as a solid "meh" so far. The parts were a pain the ass to get, even after grinding for hours on high green/low blue named mobs. The one saving grace that would have allowed the average player to collect more of them, via the jewelry turn in quest, was disabled half way through for some reason. Supposedly new mobs are spawning related to the event, but I've only seen one so far when I was traveling through outdoor zones with my mid level ranger(via track), and someone else was already killing it when I got to it. None seemed to be spawning down in Lguk when I was playing, though.

The Polished Fine Steel Mantle I received was nice, and even a bit of an upgrade, but I honestly don't like event gear all that much as a concept. That brings a bit too much FOMO to EQ, as far as I'm concerned (play a whole bunch during the event, or miss out forever!).. and fuck that modern game skinner box exploitation crap with a rusty pipe. It's already bad enough that Rubicite and Manastones stopped dropping and that the Sleeper is dead forever. Please don't bring even more artificial scarcity to my old man video game museum experience.

[1asdfasdf1]

I'm always happy to see GM events.

Suggestions for next time:

1. Higher drop rates. I'm guessing the intention was to provide better rewards for higher faction, but the drop rates didn't match that desire. I love XP grinding and put in probably 40 hours of it, and got maybe 5 corrupted body parts.

2. More desirable rewards. Getting an imp or skeleton reward is kind of cute, but it goes away as soon as you zone, and there were no turn-in NPCs in real XP zones (dungeons, WL, etc). A clarity or regen potion would be valuable.

[WarpathEQ]

I'm always happy to see GM events.

Suggestions for next time:

1. Higher drop rates. I'm guessing the intention was to provide better rewards for higher faction, but the drop rates didn't match that desire. I love XP grinding and put in probably 40 hours of it, and got maybe 5 corrupted body parts.

2. More desirable rewards. Getting an imp or skeleton reward is kind of cute, but it goes away as soon as you zone, and there were no turn-in NPCs in real XP zones (dungeons, WL, etc). A clarity or regen potion would be valuable.

would be cool, although probably a technical challenge to have the illusions delivered as consumables instead of being instantly cast on you, especially since people often turn in multiple parts back to back meaning some of the illusion outcomes are wasted immediately (either did not take hold or overrode a different one). Not gonna lie I did enjoy a good 20 minutes of flying around Overthere as an IMP before it was time to leave the zone and head back to more farming. Would have been way cooler to farm as an IMP when I got back to my spot.

I think the rare drop rates were intentional as the potential prizes were beefed up quite a bit from last year (actual gear is available, and in some rare cases stuff that people will use long term i.e. +20sv all monk ring)

[Blancah]

I adventured in Lower Guk during the event, not really changing my routine much, and found that the Corrupted Body Parts only ever dropped off of named mobs or their PHs. The quest jewelry seemed to drop off anything and at a much higher rate than the parts, green con mobs or not, but only during a short period at the beginning.

I just turned in seven parts, all I have looted/quested during the event, and was illusioned twice, received two antiweight potions, a potion of unlife awareness, and got two Polished Fine Steel Mantles for my efforts.

The one mantle I got to keep, because the other poofed due to lore, was a MAGIC LORE NO DROP shoulder slot item for all races but only paladins. It gave +5 strength, +4 stamina, +20 hit points, and had 17 AC.. all for 1 weight on a item size SMALL. The icon was the standard leather shoulderpads. I would add it to the wiki, but apparently creating new items is a big pain in the ass, so I'll let Loramin do it if he wants.

Though it isn't quite over, I'd rate the event as a whole as a solid "meh" so far. The parts were a pain the ass to get, even after grinding for hours on high green/low blue named mobs. The one saving grace that would have allowed the average player to collect more of them, via the jewelry turn in quest, was disabled half way through for some reason. Supposedly new mobs are spawning related to the event, but I've only seen one so far when I was traveling through outdoor zones with my mid level ranger(via track), and someone else was already killing it when I got to it. None seemed to be spawning down in Lguk when I was playing, though.

The Polished Fine Steel Mantle I received was nice, and even a bit of an upgrade, but I honestly don't like event gear all that much as a concept. That brings a bit too much FOMO to EQ, as far as I'm concerned (play a whole bunch during the event, or miss out forever!).. and fuck that modern game skinner box exploitation crap with a rusty pipe. It's already bad enough that Rubicite and Manastones stopped dropping and that the Sleeper is dead forever. Please don't bring even more artificial scarcity to my old man video game museum experience.

Please, if you or anyone else see an item that didn't make it onto the wiki from the event or otherwise, feel free to reach out to me as well. I try to update when/where I can.

I pulled a lot of the armor drops from the event from someone that collected a group image of the drops. I didn't have anything to go on for paladin, sk, or rangers and then only one rogue drop.

[Naxuda]

Please consider extending the event for another week. With some of the rewards being absolutely insane and a majority of the rewards being extremely weak - we simply need more time to be able to farm the event since the drop rate on body parts is so very low and the pool of rewards is massive. I've spent so many hours farming and have nothing to show for it and I know that there are so many people in the same boat as me. Thank you for the event!

[Sirquestalot]

+1 on a bit of disappointment over the scarcity of corrupted body parts, since I don't play a swarmkiting bard. But I do really appreciate the amount of thought and effort put into this event.

Just a thought, not sure how feasible it might be to code in, but in the spirit of the "museum piece" concept of the project, how about reviving this event, not yearly on the Earth calendar, but yearly as per the Norrathian calendar? Like the event would pop up for the October 31 - November 1 every Norrath year. Talk about the player base doing some insane math to determine when that's going to land and plan to play for those 2 hours and change, hoping for a drop and reward.

[loramin]

+1 on a bit of disappointment over the scarcity of corrupted body parts, since I don't play a swarmkiting bard. But I do really appreciate the amount of thought and effort put into this event.

FWIW I was barely playing during the event time (my tendonitis was acting up), and I wasn't even trying to participate in the event. Still, I got two corrupted body part drops: one in South Karana and one in Karnor's Castle.

I suspect you just weren't killing in the right places.

[WarpathEQ]

Obviously RNG, but on average from what I've seen its roughly a 2% drop rate (1 in 50 mobs or so)

[Ekco]

rewards are faction based from turn ins i think i saw right? just pick up where you left off next year.

[Expediency]

Trip report:

I got zero body part drops, but did the ring/necklace/beads turn in twice, resulting in two body parts.

Turned them in just now at hammer hill and the first one got me turned into an imp. After taking pictures for posterity I turned in the second one and got a black sapphire.

I really like the special events they do. Body part drop rate was low, otherwise event was 10/10, would quest again

[DesterWindall]

would be cool, although probably a technical challenge to have the illusions delivered as consumables instead of being instantly cast on you, especially since people often turn in multiple parts back to back meaning some of the illusion outcomes are wasted immediately (either did not take hold or overrode a different one). Not gonna lie I did enjoy a good 20 minutes of flying around Overthere as an IMP before it was time to leave the zone and head back to more farming. Would have been way cooler to farm as an IMP when I got back to my spot.

I think the rare drop rates were intentional as the potential prizes were beefed up quite a bit from last year (actual gear is available, and in some rare cases stuff that people will use long term i.e. +20sv all monk ring)

Yes - in addition to what you mentioned, the illusions also present potential gameplay issues. Changing your race in the game via the illusions can cause unintended consequences, such as being killed by guards for being that race.

We also did beef up the rewards a bit. Not giving away specifics, but there were over 75 items added into the randomness. Last year's prizes were the glowing scroll, which you then had to petition and ask a GM for a pre-hate item. Lots of feedback on that and from a CSR standpoint, it was difficult to get those rewards passed out and the rarity was very high on those.

But noted on the suggestions - we are always trying to improve for the next. If you noticed, our event chat was all in yellow this time instead of in shout/ooc, so we do learn!

[DesterWindall]

Please consider extending the event for another week. With some of the rewards being absolutely insane and a majority of the rewards being extremely weak - we simply need more time to be able to farm the event since the drop rate on body parts is so very low and the pool of rewards is massive. I've spent so many hours farming and have nothing to show for it and I know that there are so many people in the same boat as me. Thank you for the event!

With the items added, I would make a safe assumption that it wont be the absolute last time that they will be available. It's not as fun if everyone gets it - nothing to play for the next event!

[DesterWindall]

+1 on a bit of disappointment over the scarcity of corrupted body parts, since I don't play a swarmkiting bard. But I do really appreciate the amount of thought and effort put into this event.

Just a thought, not sure how feasible it might be to code in, but in the spirit of the "museum piece" concept of the project, how about reviving this event, not yearly on the Earth calendar, but yearly as per the Norrathian calendar? Like the event would pop up for the October 31 - November 1 every Norrath year. Talk about the player base doing some insane math to determine when that's going to land and plan to play for those 2 hours and change, hoping for a drop and reward.

Not saying never, but that would take a lot of work, lol. We dont even have seasons in game =P

[Naxuda]

With the items added, I would make a safe assumption that it wont be the absolute last time that they will be available. It's not as fun if everyone gets it - nothing to play for the next event!

I didn't say hand it to me! I said I wanna farm the event more because the drop rates -- especially for people who've done the event legit instead of farming on level 1s-5s. We're talking I have 29 turn ins with many many hours of farming on a level 60 vs people who have multiple characters with many dozens of turn ins farming on a low level and swapping to loot.

Either way, thanks

[mcg3]

Thoroughly enjoyed this event. Probably my favorite P99 event to date - went super hard, and wound up with over 200 part turn ins across several toons - and spent a lot of time engaging with the content and speculating how the event worked.

A few bits of (hopefully) constructive feedback


Consider level restrictions on global loot drops - In the last couple of events, it's generally been the optimal path to roll a level 1 toon and twink it out to maximize drops (swapping to loot on another toon).

Moving to something like a level 40 minimum, or even a level 51 minimum (to encourage group play and include summoning mobs to discourage swarming) could prevent this - though you'd probably want to bump to drop rate to compensate.

I understand this needs to be balanced with the desire to be inclusive of newer or lower level players, so maybe alternating styles between events could work.



Reward Variance - Seeing 70 new items added to this server was an incredible treasure hunt - really appreciated all the work curating these. Some of the pieces (notably the monk ring and to a lesser extent the bard sword) caused people to really grind the event. I think chase rewards are an important component towards getting the hardcore players involved in event content - so kudos for adding these.

I think what frustrated some players is the sheer RNG of the rewards and the feeling of getting no closer to getting a chase prize. Many lootbox based reward structures approach addressing this feeling with a "pity" system where you eventually build up enough "pity" to get a good prize on your next pull.

Understanding implementing something like this is well out of scope for current development priorities - I do wonder if reusing the faction system could approximate it.

Having two sets of reward tables for the quest - one for low faction (say less than 25) and one for higher faction (with better odds at items) could help more people walk away feeling satisfied with the event - unsure if this is achievable with the current tech




Quest NPC Location - During the first phase, having an additional chronicler (specifically one near HH) would have helped nerf the innate advantage porter characters have in participating in the event. Having the sole chronicler be right next to a penitent cryptkeeper also meant there wasn't a meaningful choice in which side to take if you were grinding optimally.



Phase 2 Mini Spawn Rate - Discovering where the minis were spawning, how they spawned and what they dropped was incredibly fun. Having the highest end of these minis become competitive is what made the event feel truly like a p99 event.

What was a bit of a let down is overtime - a single tracker could and would lock down a zone for whisperers/nameds, which kind of let the air out of the tires a bit. As an alternative spawning mechanic to explore - having a mini spawn as a rare spawn upon killing any mob would be pretty exciting. Kill a level 40 froglok, a 1% chance a level 40 mini spawns from its corpse - though I imagine it might get some people killed.

Alternatively, just boosting the spawn rates in phase 2 so more players could engage with the content simultaneously would have been good.



Phase 2 Quest Letdown - Getting the parts to drop in phase 2 were really exciting and they are/were still very difficult to source. Having the reward be 2 body parts was a bit of a let down. Given the difficulty in getting these parts (and remoteness of the turn in location) - having either a unique one time ALL/ALL prize or just more body parts would have felt a bit better


Thanks again for all the thought and effort that went into this event - I continue to consider P99 events "must play" and will put on pause whatever else I happened to be working on in game to engage

[Medris]

The Halloween 2025 Event has now concluded across all P99 servers. We hope everyone had an incredible time! Check back later this evening when we will announce the winners of our raffle for a temporary title for characters who have turned in at least 10 Corrupted Body Parts to a given faction!

[Fingurs]

I had a great time -- Phase 1 of course was my favorite, and will forever be a fan. Accessible, clean, and grindy -- and you never know what you were gonna get!

That being said, I like stats so here are mine:

49 Bodyparts, across 6 characters.
3,411 kills.

16 Bodyparts were via 8 sets of Jewelry.

All of my killing was in Velketor's Labyrinth (great soundtrack!) on level 60 characters. I never did the swarming -- although obviously that was by far the most efficient/last painful, but I didnt care. :)

Look forward to the next event. This was the best one by far.

Kudos.

[Awweshux]

My 2cp:

I was interested an engaged for the most part. The first day was way fun coordinating with guildmates. The second day nerf was annoying. After that, and when it became clear that the body parts drop rate was so much less, I tried to puzzle out some hints in the text and that's what had me try Erud's Crossing - there was somethig about an Erudite at a place with fallen stones. Having farmed some thin bone wands in the past, I thought to go there. It panned out. It was very exciting to kill a named greenie there and get both fragments. It was entirely deflating to do the turn in and receive only a note and two body parts.
I spent the rest of the time farming in Erud's Crossing. Anyone need a thinbonewand lmk, heh. Got two more rounds of both fragments and both turn ins returned only body parts and lore note. Disappointing. I still wonder if fragments from higher level mobs would provide better rewards. Anyone know?
Finally, I feel like the event was fun but the text ultimately made no real sense (that i could figure out) and those folks who thought it sounded like AI blather, well, I guess I agree. Too bad. I'd love to see a debrief to let us know what we missed - I'm hoping there was loads more to know. It feels incomplete somehow, lore wise. <3 Eschew

[Awweshux]

More: I still want to know what this means from the turn in of the two fragments in part 2: Warning of Thamiel: The Mourner seeks a vessel. If the Hand delivers one, grief will endure forever. If Stillness prevails, silence will deny him, and the world will heal. This was the note received from A Hollow Acolyte in Lake Rathe. Intriguing.

[Ynyienae]

Wanted to put in my 2 cents as well. Loved the event. Only got a small upgrade necklace for my ranger I have been leveling solo. Totally missed the 2nd half of the event but that was all my fault. I didn't mind the rareness of the drops since it lined up well with needing to go back to town for new spells and supplies. More events like this would be totally appreciated. Thanks for all the work everyone put into the event.

[WarpathEQ]

My 2cp:

I was interested an engaged for the most part. The first day was way fun coordinating with guildmates. The second day nerf was annoying. After that, and when it became clear that the body parts drop rate was so much less, I tried to puzzle out some hints in the text and that's what had me try Erud's Crossing - there was somethig about an Erudite at a place with fallen stones. Having farmed some thin bone wands in the past, I thought to go there. It panned out. It was very exciting to kill a named greenie there and get both fragments. It was entirely deflating to do the turn in and receive only a note and two body parts.
I spent the rest of the time farming in Erud's Crossing. Anyone need a thinbonewand lmk, heh. Got two more rounds of both fragments and both turn ins returned only body parts and lore note. Disappointing. I still wonder if fragments from higher level mobs would provide better rewards. Anyone know?
Finally, I feel like the event was fun but the text ultimately made no real sense (that i could figure out) and those folks who thought it sounded like AI blather, well, I guess I agree. Too bad. I'd love to see a debrief to let us know what we missed - I'm hoping there was loads more to know. It feels incomplete somehow, lore wise. <3 Eschew

Everything I've seen reported is that the turn ins from both phase 1 and phase 2 resulted in a note and 2 corrupted body parts. I have not seen anyone indicate anything to the contrary.

[DesterWindall]

My 2cp:

I was interested an engaged for the most part. The first day was way fun coordinating with guildmates. The second day nerf was annoying. After that, and when it became clear that the body parts drop rate was so much less, I tried to puzzle out some hints in the text and that's what had me try Erud's Crossing - there was somethig about an Erudite at a place with fallen stones. Having farmed some thin bone wands in the past, I thought to go there. It panned out. It was very exciting to kill a named greenie there and get both fragments. It was entirely deflating to do the turn in and receive only a note and two body parts.
I spent the rest of the time farming in Erud's Crossing. Anyone need a thinbonewand lmk, heh. Got two more rounds of both fragments and both turn ins returned only body parts and lore note. Disappointing. I still wonder if fragments from higher level mobs would provide better rewards. Anyone know?
Finally, I feel like the event was fun but the text ultimately made no real sense (that i could figure out) and those folks who thought it sounded like AI blather, well, I guess I agree. Too bad. I'd love to see a debrief to let us know what we missed - I'm hoping there was loads more to know. It feels incomplete somehow, lore wise. <3 Eschew

No nerf occurred, was the same drop percentage the entire event.

[Medris]

The raffle has been completed for our temporary titles for those who have completed at least 10 turn in's to a given faction! All 3 winners supported the Hand of Decay. Congratulations to our winners! These titles will remain on their character through on or around 3/1/26.

Blue: Slewmonk the Emissary of Decay

Green: Oort the Emissary of Decay

Red: Animal the Emissary of Decay

Thank you to everyone who participated and to those who provided feedback!

Happy Hunting!

[circlerogue]

I just wanted to say thank you to the staff for organizing such a great event! I was super bummed in the past when I missed the Halloween night-only events because young kids and EQ don't mix, especially on Halloween. Having two entire weeks to participate was amazing. It also got me out of my normal routines in the game and the actual quest dialogue was refreshing; it was like trying to figure out quests like back in 1999. You guys are great and I am looking forward to more events like this in the future.

[Ennewi]

Missed all of the event but still managed to enjoy it vicariously through other players trying to solve the quest and find the spawns. Watching that in discord, plus looking up potential drops on Dolalin's search engine underpinned the collective excitement. So kudos to the team. There were a few classic items I hadn't heard of before, the most impressive being that warrior backslot clicky.

Kind of funny though, how paladins got boned on drops even though it was an undead-themed event. Test of Tactics rewards weren't generous to the class. Monks were the clear winners overall, with a few noteworthy exceptions. Grats!

[Dollar]

Can we get a list of the drops from the event?

[Blancah]

Can we get a list of the drops from the event?

The Devs/GMs don't supply those from my experience. DesterWindall mentioned "there were over 75 items added into the randomness." There are 8 "items" and 23 pieces of gear added on the Wiki currently. Anything else would need to be crowdsourced.

You can check for some of what dropped on the wiki page (https://wiki.project1999.com/Whispers_from_the_Crypt).