The starting cities of each race are mentioned in their respective Lore description. You can then look at the map to see where that city is in relation to the rest of the world. If I remember correctly, the only two races left unaccounted for are Gnomes and Dwarves. Skyhold and Khadassa aren't found anywhere on the map we're given. So that remains a mystery. All the others are clear though.
The following thread has a bunch of discussion and theorycrafting about where the gnomes and dwarves may be. Take it with a grain of salt. But the other more definite starting cities are mentioned and labeled as well: https://www.pantheonmmo.com/content/forums/topic/4563/race-locations-and-speculations
So this keeps coming up, but remember that the map on the website is from a much older design of the game. We know this because the starting continent for the Archai, Dwarves and Gnomes, Whitethaw, does not exist on it. Additionally, a prominent island named Vesu is not visible. Further examination of the lore (specifically the telling of the funeral of Avendyr, a past human King) tells us that there are at least "half a dozen" continents. I would expect a more comprehensive map to be published at some point.
An observation I made after looking at the race/class combinations: Ogres are limited to tank/healer, and Gnomes are limited to dps/control. Hopefully their cities are close to each other because they are the only 2 races limited to 2 archetypes, and they compliment each other perfectly for the full quaternity. Their cities being in close proximity would be very important for the beginning stages of the game since it would allow players that choose these races to experience the full suite of group roles. Ideally they would run into each other around level 10 or so when grouping becomes more important. It's basically yin and yang ... in archetype, and size. A small little detail like this could go a really long way ... the game is supposed to focus on class interdependance and the eventual union of these 2 races could blossom into thousands of long lasting friendships. The ogres would be able to provide every archetype that the gnomes are missing out on, and vice versa. Can anybody clarify where their starties cities are, relative to each other on the map?
Anistosoles said:I just hope that PROTF provides reasons for me to go back to my starter city. Too many games leave you no reason to do so. Oddly enough, World of Warcraft had several reasons for a player to return to their starter cities.
I think we can expect this considering their overall design philosophy of wanting to make zones interwoven in regards to level of content, i.e., giving reasons for higher levels to return to lower level zones. Following that, it wouldn't surprise me if they're developing good incentives to return/hang around in our starting cities. I'd love to see that, too.
Sicario said:Anistosoles said:I just hope that PROTF provides reasons for me to go back to my starter city. Too many games leave you no reason to do so. Oddly enough, World of Warcraft had several reasons for a player to return to their starter cities.
I think we can expect this considering their overall design philosophy of wanting to make zones interwoven in regards to level of content, i.e., giving reasons for higher levels to return to lower level zones. Following that, it wouldn't surprise me if they're developing good incentives to return/hang around in our starting cities. I'd love to see that, too.
Yeah they've already said that this is important. Even having unique starting cities at all is rare in newer MMOs, so the fact that they are going to have unique starting cities at all shows that they are taking it seriously.
IMO the worst part of WoW was the community - an unmatched level of immaturity on average. The best part was the starting areas and back-stories. It gave good reason to play every race just to see how the stories unfolded, and some of them were great for roleplaying all through the game. I hope and expect that Pantheon will have different starting areas for at least some of the races/classes - yes one can have starting areas by class too e.g. all necromancers of any race start out in an isolated area to which they fled or were banished as a result of popular disapproval of their profession.
I would love for each race to have a choice of a couple starting cities. It would greatly help people of different races start the game together. I doubt any of my friends will choose the same race I will. So, we may be prevented from playing with each other for a while.
However, I don't Pantheon will go this route.
Beefcake said:I would love for each race to have a choice of a couple starting cities. It would greatly help people of different races start the game together. I doubt any of my friends will choose the same race I will. So, we may be prevented from playing with each other for a while.
However, I don't Pantheon will go this route.
I would prefer that they didn't. I think the sense of adventure that comes with exploring the world for the first time to find your friends is a really cool aspect of the game. Every place you visit is that much more special ... I really hope that linear travel is kept to a minimum. Except with ogres and gnomes ... I totally think those 2 should start next to eachother because of the Yin Yang opportunity that their race/class limitations provides.
A key goal for me would be to ensure that starting cities are grand and useful enoguh to remain the hub for certain races or alignments even when expansions come out.
I don't mind new cities with their own reasons for going to, but don't make the old ones useless (cough PoK).
oneADseven said:Beefcake said:I would love for each race to have a choice of a couple starting cities. It would greatly help people of different races start the game together. I doubt any of my friends will choose the same race I will. So, we may be prevented from playing with each other for a while.
However, I don't Pantheon will go this route.
I would prefer that they didn't. I think the sense of adventure that comes with exploring the world for the first time to find your friends is a really cool aspect of the game. Every place you visit is that much more special ... I really hope that linear travel is kept to a minimum. Except with ogres and gnomes ... I totally think those 2 should start next to eachother because of the Yin Yang opportunity that their race/class limitations provides.
Exploring and finding your friends is fine, but not if it takes a week or two. I want to play this game with my friends. If I have to wait until mid-game to do it, that is not OK.
Joppa said:Malsirian said:
Zarriya said:
The new map of Terminus is looking great!
I agree! Love it!
Is there still more to be revealed?
Yep! Much more of Terminus to be revealed:
"This is the current, known world of Terminus, as expeditions from Kingsreach and Reignfall have only just begun. However, reports are already coming in from the great regions of the East and the frozen reaches of the South..."
Beefcake said:oneADseven said:Beefcake said:I would love for each race to have a choice of a couple starting cities. It would greatly help people of different races start the game together. I doubt any of my friends will choose the same race I will. So, we may be prevented from playing with each other for a while.
However, I don't Pantheon will go this route.
I would prefer that they didn't. I think the sense of adventure that comes with exploring the world for the first time to find your friends is a really cool aspect of the game. Every place you visit is that much more special ... I really hope that linear travel is kept to a minimum. Except with ogres and gnomes ... I totally think those 2 should start next to eachother because of the Yin Yang opportunity that their race/class limitations provides.
Exploring and finding your friends is fine, but not if it takes a week or two. I want to play this game with my friends. If I have to wait until mid-game to do it, that is not OK.
I would agree with Beefcake on multiple starting cities. Even Old School EQ gave you the option of what your starting city and diety could be but it would alter your factions and how you would play. I am in the thought of mind that exploring is incrediably important and getting to your friends is part of that process but it should not take up to 2 or more weeks to get them. Particulary, if you already have several planning to meet up for Alpha/Beta testing.
With this being said, I am hoping for the old school travel experience where you must take boats/ferries/asking for a port from another community member.
Uncertian said:Beefcake said:oneADseven said:Beefcake said:I would love for each race to have a choice of a couple starting cities. It would greatly help people of different races start the game together. I doubt any of my friends will choose the same race I will. So, we may be prevented from playing with each other for a while.
However, I don't Pantheon will go this route.
I would prefer that they didn't. I think the sense of adventure that comes with exploring the world for the first time to find your friends is a really cool aspect of the game. Every place you visit is that much more special ... I really hope that linear travel is kept to a minimum. Except with ogres and gnomes ... I totally think those 2 should start next to eachother because of the Yin Yang opportunity that their race/class limitations provides.
Exploring and finding your friends is fine, but not if it takes a week or two. I want to play this game with my friends. If I have to wait until mid-game to do it, that is not OK.
I would agree with Beefcake on multiple starting cities. Even Old School EQ gave you the option of what your starting city and diety could be but it would alter your factions and how you would play. I am in the thought of mind that exploring is incrediably important and getting to your friends is part of that process but it should not take up to 2 or more weeks to get them. Particulary, if you already have several planning to meet up for Alpha/Beta testing.
With this being said, I am hoping for the old school travel experience where you must take boats/ferries/asking for a port from another community member.
Old school EQ did it for what....2 races? Humans and Half elves?
I know as a dark elf I couldnt choose, nor as an Iksar. Now if youre talking after Serpents spine when everyone started in Cresent Reach then thats not Old school EQ
Don't quote me on this, but I want to say that Human rangers were restricted to Surefall Glade and Elven rangers were restricted to Kelethin. Half elf rangers I believe had a choice of either location, but it may have been dependent on their diety selection. Halflings weren't allowed to roll rangers until many years after launch, iirc. I imagine they were restricted to Rivervale and/or Crescent Reach when they were added.
Sevens said:Uncertian said:Beefcake said:oneADseven said:Beefcake said:I would love for each race to have a choice of a couple starting cities. It would greatly help people of different races start the game together. I doubt any of my friends will choose the same race I will. So, we may be prevented from playing with each other for a while.
However, I don't Pantheon will go this route.
I would prefer that they didn't. I think the sense of adventure that comes with exploring the world for the first time to find your friends is a really cool aspect of the game. Every place you visit is that much more special ... I really hope that linear travel is kept to a minimum. Except with ogres and gnomes ... I totally think those 2 should start next to eachother because of the Yin Yang opportunity that their race/class limitations provides.
Exploring and finding your friends is fine, but not if it takes a week or two. I want to play this game with my friends. If I have to wait until mid-game to do it, that is not OK.
I would agree with Beefcake on multiple starting cities. Even Old School EQ gave you the option of what your starting city and diety could be but it would alter your factions and how you would play. I am in the thought of mind that exploring is incrediably important and getting to your friends is part of that process but it should not take up to 2 or more weeks to get them. Particulary, if you already have several planning to meet up for Alpha/Beta testing.
With this being said, I am hoping for the old school travel experience where you must take boats/ferries/asking for a port from another community member.
Old school EQ did it for what....2 races? Humans and Half elves?
I know as a dark elf I couldnt choose, nor as an Iksar. Now if youre talking after Serpents spine when everyone started in Cresent Reach then thats not Old school EQ
Don't forget Erudites lol - Erudin for good ones and Paineel for evil ones. A few exceptions like this were fine and made sense with the lore, which just made the world a little more interesting. With the lore we know so far, I find it pretty unlikely that any of the races in Terminus would have divided into two separate cities. And I'm more than okay with that. I think it's important that there be a healthy amount of distance between the starting cities. That's essential to making the world feel big and alive. I totally understand people not wanting to have to wait to play with friends. To which I would say: it's not impossible, just risky. You don't even really have to wait. Unless you're a wimp ;P Come up with a plan to make that dangerous journey. That's sure to make memories. Maybe even ask for some help from someone higher level to escort you. That's sure to make new friends :) I doubt there'll be some hard level lock on being able to travel through certain zones. I really think Pantheon should preserve that awesome and unique feeling of not wanting to drift too far from home. But for those daring enough, you can, and it's satisfying. You may not know what's out there, or how long it'll take, or even if you'll be successful. But taking that first step is unforgettable.
I'm sure the locations of starting cities has already long been decided, but nevertheless, in the unlikely case they are considering implementing some sort of shortcut between the starting cities, my vote is no: keep starting cities unique and separate.
I don't recall any Wood Elves being able to start in Surefall Glade. They were all Tunare by default.
Sorry if this has already been mentioned.
I think that restriction made sense according to the idea of what Elves were at the time. They were reclusive and stuck to their traditions. It's unlikely they would have settled with another culture or worshiped another deity.
If people really want to play together they should start as the same race or a race with starting cities close together. I don't think it's that big of a sacrifice to make.
Travelling the world as a low level player to join up with my friends was one of the greatest journeys I had in game.
It also added so much to the zones I passed through, when I returned at the proper level, and suddenly realized how daring my early adventure had really been. Not to mention the wonderful people I met along the journey who understood my plight and provided me with helpful buffs and guidance to the best routes, and the few who interjected to save me from mobs on my tail.
Iksar said:Highpass Hold, the great Qeynos <> Freeport gauntlet. So many great memories.
I died a lot learning the different paths to Freeport.
Whether or not you chose the beholder's maze/runny eye or highpass hold it was a nasty trip.
Beholder's maze had narrow passages with lots of wandering mobs. Then you had to run through Runny Eye and pray not to die.
High Pass hold was easy to get lost in. Especially if you had a mob on your tail.
I found it was easier to go the beholder's maze/runny eye route.
Other hazards were wandering lions, Hill Giants, and Gnolls in the Karanas. In the Commonlands you had Orcs, Griffons, Griffins, Kizdean Gix, Dragoon Zytl, Hill Giants, and more lions.
There is also the Kithcor forest which we all know was nasty at night. A wandering mob that got close to the zone wall could mean death.
In addition, I remember a werewolf that would run between Qeynos Hills and the Karanas entrance.
Fun times.
I am hoping the cities are alive that if I'm a Skar shopping in the Ogre city I have to go to the Skar ward/quarter to interact with merchants until I build sufficient faction to use the Ogre section. I mean as a fellow evil race I assume I will be on a non-KoS faction and can enter and then do quests and activities to start working my faction to be offered more and more.