4.1 Will I be able to have multiple characters on the same server?

Yes, EverQuest II will allow you to create multiple characters on normal servers.

4.2 Can I transfer my characters that I created in the original EverQuest to EverQuest II?

“Because of our extensively redesigned game engine, existing EverQuest characters cannot be transferred to EverQuest II. However, EverQuest players can tie their new character to their existing one through our heritage system, carrying on their family name and receiving heirlooms linked to their EverQuest experience.”

4.3 What customization options will I have?

When you create your character in EverQuest II you choose your race, customize your features, and select a name.

4.3.1 What features will we be able to customize to make my character special?

Players will be able to extensively customize the character's facial features, and can individualize their appearance by equipping a wide variety of armor, weapons, and other items. The character models have an unparalleled level of facial customization. You will be able to change the size and shape of the nose, ears, eyebrows, cheekbones, chin, and more, plus select from a multitude of hair styles and skin tones. Males can select from a wide array of beards, and there will be many racially specific customizations as well. For instance, Gnomes and Ratonga can wear a variety of glasses with custom-tinted lenses.

You will be able to adjust your character's height within a limited range. Sony wants to maintain the integrity and distinction of each race, so they won't allow things like giant gnomes or miniature ogres. While people should have fun customizing their characters, Sony doesn't want one person's silliness to infringe on someone else's desire for serious gameplay.

Sony's goal is to have so much distinction that characters can be recognized by appearance alone.

4.4 Why won’t we be choosing things like our stats and a deity at character creation?

The design of the traditional RPG is heavily front-loaded. You make a ton of choices when you start the game, then really don't decide a lot about your character until much later in its life.

Sony's goal with EQII is to invert the pyramid. They make character creation as straightforward as possible. You decide basic factors initially, then continue to make progressively more important decisions as you level up. They want the decisions you should really spend time thinking about to happen when you're better prepared to make them.

4.5 When creating a character, how many races can I choose from?

There are 16 unique races in EQII. Of these, 14 were also playable in EverQuest: Frogloks, Halflings, Dwarves, High Elves, Wood Elves, Iksar, Trolls, Ogres, Dark Elves, Barbarians, Erudites, Gnomes, Half Elves, and Humans. The Vah Shir are no more, but you can play one of their cousins, the Kerra. EverQuest II will also introduce a new rat-like race called the Ratonga.

4.5.1 The Ratonga!? Where did they come from?

The Ratonga showed up around the time of the Rending, an age when great chasms were being torn open on the surface of Antonica and the continent was ripped apart. At first many assumed that these rat-men were related to the Chetari from Dragon Necropolis, and the ratonga seemed to confirm this account. But then speculation arose that they were actually from somewhere in the Underfoot. On this matter the Ratonga have remained silent.

The Ratonga do not talk about their origins or their history. Perhaps the truth will be uncovered as the story of Norrath unfolds.

4.5.2 What are the possible race/class combos?

In EverQuest II, any race can become any class. Some races are naturally better at a class than another might be (for instance a Troll would not make as good of a Mage as a Gnome might), but there are no restrictions as to what you can play.

4.6 Will races have certain attributes unique to their race?

Yes. Besides appearance and size, the chief differences among the various player races are starting stats, vision types, languages, and innate resistances. There are no longer racial traits such as increased regeneration for trolls or stun immunity for ogres.

4.7 Where does my character begin the game in EverQuest II?

Players start in a tutorial that takes them to the Island of Refuge, a place where they learn the basics of the game. But soon players will find themselves on their way to one of two cities: Qeynos or Freeport. These are the only towns known to have survived the tremendous cataclysms that have devastated the world.

Race is what determines which city will initially accept you. Frogloks, Halflings, Dwarves, High Elves, and Wood Elves will be heading to Qeynos. Iksar, Trolls, Ogres, Ratonga, and Dark Elves will be taking up residence in Freeport. Kerra, Barbarians, Erudites, Gnomes, Half Elves, and Humans can choose which city to call home.

4.7.1 There are only two cities? Won't players feel cramped?

Qeynos and Freeport aren't the same places they were in EverQuest. The two starting cities are truly epic in size; each is made up of about 17 zones. Sony have built them to be the grandest, most immersive fantasy cities you've ever seen.

Their intent is to make these two cities have meaning and relevance at all levels, not just when you're a newbie. Qeynos and Freeport are the centers of commerce and traffic, places you will want to revisit at all stages of the game. The cities are both epic in scale and rich in content.

4.7.2 Won't the fact that there are only two cities take away from the uniqueness of each race? And won't the newbie yards be overflowing with players trying to kill snakes and rats?

The zones that make up both Qeynos and Freeport include not only the city proper but also uniquely defined racial neighborhoods and multiple adventure areas. Zones are kept to a reasonable size to prevent overcrowding. Each neighborhood has the basic facilities you'll need (banks, shops, etc.) so that players are spread out instead of being crammed into one small part of town.

Think of each metropolis as being a whole bunch of small cities and newbie yards all connected together. Races still have diversity in their starting locations, but we've made it even easier for players of different races to meet up and adventure together.

4.8 Will my Character in EQII Age?

Humans, dwarves, halflings, gnomes, and barbarians have an age slider. Elves and half elves maintain their youthful glow forever.

The aging effect doesn't work on races with fur or non-human-like skin.