Northern Plains of Karana

Classic Era (added 1999-2000)

The Northern Plains of Karana consist of a small but dangerous area in the middle of the vast Plains of Karana. It is also the hub of most of the traffic on the western half of the continent, as it marks the area where the bridges from the east and south pass over the river that marks two of its borders. The gypsy camp is a dangerous location where all players may be bound, though not until the March 2001 patch. [1] It is one of only a few non-city bind locations.

Level of Monsters: 10-30+ Types of Monsters: Lions and Lionesses, Lion Matriarchs, Lion Patriarchs, Pincer Beetles, Borer Beetles, Scythe Beetles, Shadow Wolves, Silvermist Wolves, Grizzly Bears, Raiders, Werewolves, Ghouls, Griffawns, Griffenes, Griffins, Hill Giants, Treants Notable NPCs: Xanuusus, the Fangbreakers, Druid Trainer, Ashenpaw, Zahal the Vile, GrimFeather, Swiftclaw, Lieutenant Midraim, The Silver Griffon, Timbur the Tiny, Korvik the Cursed Unique Items: Belt of Flesh Hooks Belt of Flesh Hooks Slot: WAIST AC: 5 CHA: -5 SV DISEASE: +5 SV POISON: +5 WT: 0.2 Size: SMALL Class: SHD Race: HUM DEF TRL OGR GNM IKS , Lion-skin Leggings Lion-skin Leggings MAGIC ITEM Slot: LEGS AC: 6 INT: +2 AGI: +2 WT: 4.0 Size: MEDIUM Class: ALL except NEC WIZ MAG ENC Race: ALL , Pair of Bent Spectacles Pair of Bent Spectacles Slot: FACE MANA: +15 SV MAGIC: +5 WT: 0.1 Size: SMALL Class: ALL Race: ALL , Granite Earring Granite Earring MAGIC ITEM Slot: EAR MANA: +25 WT: 0.1 Size: TINY Class: ALL Race: ALL , Wolf-hide Sleeves Wolf-hide Sleeves MAGIC ITEM Slot: ARMS AC: 5 STR: +2 CHA: +2 WT: 1.5 Size: SMALL Class: ALL except NEC WIZ MAG ENC Race: ALL , Giants Reminder String Giants Reminder String MAGIC ITEM Slot: WAIST AC: 2 INT: +5 WT: 0.5 Size: SMALL Class: ALL Race: ALL except HUM ERU HEF , Giant Laceless Sandal Giant Laceless Sandal Slot: SECONDARY AC: 15 STA: +5 CHA: -7 WT: 5.0 Size: LARGE Class: WAR CLR PAL RNG SHD DRU BRD ROG SHM Race: ELF HIE DEF DWF HFL GNM , A Gypsy Medallion A Gypsy Medallion MAGIC ITEM Slot: NECK AC: 2 CHA: +9 SV DISEASE: +10 WT: 0.1 Size: SMALL Class: ALL Race: ALL Related Quests: Corrupt Guards, Research Aid, Shackle of Bronze, Winds of Karana Adjacent Zones: Western Plains of Karana, Eastern Plains of Karana, Southern Plains of Karana Name in /who: northkarana Zone Spawn Timer: 6:00 Succor/Evacuate: -284, -382 (Just outside gypsy camp) ZEM Value: 75 100 (133%)

Map

1. Hut with Alcohol 2. Area Patrolled by the Fangbreakers 3. Obelisk with named Treant nearby 4. Hut with Innkeepers selling Food and Goods 5. Empty farm 6. Gypsy Camp selling Combine Weapons, Alcohol, Food and Goods, Dreadlands Gate Spell, Bind Spot circa Mar 2001 [2] 7. Guard Tower 8. Farm with farmers 9. Farm with farmers 10. Druid Ring with Treants, Druid Trainer and merchant selling Druid Spells -2750,-1450 11. Wizard Teleportation Ring 12. Farm with farmers 13. Obelisk with Skeletons/Zombies/Ghouls 14. Raider Camp

Dangers

The Northern Plains of Karana offer both promise and peril for those brave enough to hunt here, and it has a good mix of low to mid level mobs that roam freely throughout the zone. From wolfs, grizzly bears and lions to massive beetles, and the ever dangerous variety of griffons that call these lands home, there is something for everyone between levels 12 to 20(and beyond...). Even the occasional hill giant has been known to go for a walk out in the open here. The guards at the lone tower in the zone are easily the most overworked guards in the game, and it is not uncommon to see one of them at half health after fending off a higher level mob.

"a rabid Griffon" occasionally spawns and patrols the Eastern edge of the zone. It is very fast and has a large aggro radius, and is relatively high level (red to level 30).

Given that the above is true, hunting in this area is very dangerous, although it can be quite lucrative. If you know how to hunt, and by that I mean to pull creatures to the zones edges and use your far distance view to keep an eye on what's coming, you can actually do quite well fighting the many types of beetles at lower levels. Like I said, though, hill giants are fast and can spawn practically on top of you, and the run from Qeynos is long...

The North Karana druid ring can also be a dangerous place to let your guard down. Though not too often, Griffons, Grimfeather, and even Hill giants have been known to roam directly in to the ring. While there is a guard tower near by, it is a hot spot for evil classes to camp, and it's best not to count on it for safety.

Benefits

Willowisp hunting is excellent here from lvl 10 - 15. The Research Aid quest gives several percent exp, for every lightstone handed in.

The largest benefit in this area is the high-level hunting it affords. Well-coordinated groups of 15th level and higher (usually low 20's) can make quite a bit of money and experience in this area, travelling and killing off Griffins.

It is possible to bind in the gypsy camp here as well, making the trip for melee-types a bit better. Non-casters cannot be bound at gypsy camp until the Mar 2001 patch. [3]

There is raider spawn of 6 along the water ( -4070, -1940 ) that has a very good spawn rate. It's never too late to gather Red-Sashes if you decide to head back to Qeynos. These raiders drop much the same loot as bandits, but a slight higher drop rate of the sashes it seems.

There are also some items to be had in this area which are unique on this half of the continent. The only place to get combine weapons on the western half of Antonica (other than Rathe Mountians) lies within the Northern Plains. Also, there is a good chance that werewolves can be found in the northern part of the zone next to the mountains where the Fangbreakers roam, providing all of their associated items as well. There is also a merchant who sells high level Druid spells, as well as a trainer for Druids near the eastern bend of the river.

Traveling To and From Northern

The western border marks the vast edge with the Western Plains of Karana. Travelling that way leads eventually to the cities of Erudin, Qeynos, and Halas. The southern and eastern edges of the zone are bordered by an impassable river. The only ways across it are two bridges. The southern bridge leads into the Southern Plains of Karana, and is guarded by the Qeynos Guard.

The eastern bridge is a vast wooden structure, rumored to have been built by the hill giants, that passes over the eastern stretch of the river. Nobody guards this bridge.