Journeyman Boot Quest Guide
Step 1(optional) - Track and talk to Hasten
Bootstrutter in the Rathe Mountains and he will give you the quest.
Step 2 - Head to South Ro or Ocean of
Tears and kill an Ancient Cyclops to retrieve a ring of the ancients.
Step 3 - Kill a Shadowed Man to retrieve
a shadowed rapier.
Step 4 - Return to the Rathe Mountains
and give the gold and the items to Hasten to receive your Journeyman Boots.
Step 1 (Optional) – Find the Gnome
Target and hail Hasten Bootstrutter. This sounds easier then it is for Hasten is one fast little gnome. He will easily outrun a player with a 50th level Spirit of the Wolf. He does have a static route that he travels so please refer to the included map. I have never seen him initiate combat with another player, but that doesn’t mean he can’t so becareful. Also I have been told, but never it, he MAY occasionally get stuck under a rock or other obstruction, when this happens you wont be able to target him nor talk to him. If this happens you can try to petition a GM or get a player to pull him out.
Conversation Log:
You say, 'Hail Hasten Bootstrutter'
Hasten Bootstrutter says 'Stopped I have done. Greet you I will. What business do we have? Hmm? Speak up!!
You say, 'What journeyman's boots'
Hasten Bootstrutter says 'Jorneyman's Boots are what you seek? Ha!! I have those upon my feet and disintegrate will they if my life is taken. Extra pair have I and [rare trade] can we make.
You say, 'What rare trade'
Hasten Bootstrutter says 'I call for three things and Journeyman Boots are yours. I call for a [Shadowed Rapier], call for the [Ring of the Ancients] and call for Gold,.. 3250 Gold Coins!! This the trade that I call.
You say, 'What shadowed rapier'
Hasten Bootstrutter says 'Shadowed Men, foes to all, have appeared. Many lands do they walk. Invisible are they, but items they wield can be seen. Seek them out and return to me a Shadowed Rapier. Return it with haste before 'poof' goes the rapier!! No time to camp have you.
You say, 'What ring of the ancients'
Hasten Bootstrutter says 'Ancient Cyclops do march the land. Long have they lived and crafted the Ring of the Ancients have they. I must have one and you shall go and fetch one for me. Seek the lands of the oldest Cyclops clans. Seek the plains, seek the island in tears and seek the dunes for there is one who is last. His clan was blown from the sands.
Step 2 – Camping Trip
Obtaining the Ring of the Ancients is by far the most frustrating and time consuming part of this quest. The simple fact is you will need to camp for the Ancient Cyclops, there is really no way around this. There are 3 zones where the Ancient Cyclops is reported to spawn Ocean of Tears, South Ro and South Karana.
Ring of the Ancients (NO DROP)
Ocean of Tears (a.k.a. OOT) –This is my personal favorite zone to camp the Ancient Cyclops. There are generally fewer people here because of the boat trip then in South Ro. Fewer people translate into fewer KS’rs. As with all Ancient Cyclops spawn sites there is a better then average chance someone will be camping him. Also remember a group that can gain EXP from the various mobs in the spawn cycle have greater rights to the spawn compared to someone who can’t gain EXP, according the Verant’s Play Nice Policy. I have seen instances where 35th to 45th level groups forcing higher level solo’rs to give up the spawn with a GMs help, of course. If you do find a group camping the Ancient Cyclops you can hunt the Sea Furies (39th – 42nd) depending on your groups level. The Sea Furies are located to *insert direction *
Pros: Known spawn position with small Placeholder list, Better EXP and Loot potential
Cons: higher level, heavily camped,
Spawn List -|
Name |
Level Range |
Type |
Location |
Notes |
|
Boog Mudtoe |
17th |
Melee |
990,-8020 |
Hps: 325 to 350 |
|
Cyclops |
39th – 42nd |
Melee |
990,-8020 |
68 to 70 max dam |
|
Ancient Cyclops |
~40th |
Melee |
990,-8020 |
----- |
|
A Pirate |
----- |
Melee |
990,-8020 |
Irrelevant-low level |
|
Aqua Goblin |
----- |
Melee |
990,-8020 |
Irrelevant-low level |
|
Notes: 6 minute spawn cycle. Heavily camped |
||||
Strategies:
Nothing special…. This is a straightforward camp. Kill the placeholders until he spawns. The Cyclops (both versions) are by far the hardest NPCs at this spawn location. You don’t need to worry about wanderers since this is the only spawn on thi side of thee island excluding the NPC vendors at the Mage tower. If you wish to solo, use the “standard” class based soloing methods.
Kill Stealing:
Generally not an issue at this spawn location. A groups right to the spawn is generally recognized. There are always exceptions to this rule however, so kill it as FAST as you can. This is what you came for; you don’t need to really worry about the next spawn.
Rumors:
There really aren’t many rumors regarding the Ancient Cyclops spawn in this zone. It is a long and straightforward camp.
South Desert of Ro (a.k.a. SRO) – AC Rumor Central
Pros: Lower level, spawns more often
Cons: Very Random spawn time, HEAVILY KS’d (FFA)
Because of the amount of Ksing in this zone, I dislike camping for the Ancient Cyclops here. There is no verified spawn point or placeholder list. However the reduced spawn time is very attractive and the recent spawn rumors make this zone possible more worth while. Refer to the spawn methods section.
Spawn List -
|
Name |
Level Range |
Type |
Location |
Notes |
|
A Sand Giant |
----- | ----- | ----- |
Good EXP/Loot |
|
Ancient Cyclops |
----- | ----- | ----- | ----- |
|
Undead |
15th to 25th |
Varies |
Wanders |
DryBones., Mummies, good EXP for the level range. Nothing |
|
Zone trash |
Varies |
Varies |
Wanders |
Irrelavent |
|
Notes: There is no set spawn point as far as I know. |
||||
Lvl: 29 to 31
Type: melee
Rumors:
The AC may not drop the Ring of the Ancients. (Never seen this happen.)
Spawn Methods:There are several rumors as to how to make the Ancient Cyclops spawn in South Ro. I will start with the most intriguing and one that has been done by several people I know. Using this method, one individual has been able to make the Ancient Cyclops spawn within 15 minutes from his arrival in the zone, while killing three mobs: 1) a mob named “crypt mummy” 2) A random spawn of Sand Giant and or a Mummy of various types and finally 3) the Ancient Cyclops. Although this seems to be a very rare case, this method of killing the place holder, its spawn and then the resulting SG or mummy spawn does seem to lead to the Ancient Cyclops spawn much quicker than annihilating the entire zone. Let start with this “3 Spawn Point Method”
Spawn Point Method
First in the series is a spawn at a half-buried temple near the sand and grass line of the zone. The loc is ENTER HERE. Inside this temple, in the center of the floor, spawns one of the following: a ghoul, dry bones skeleton and the important one “crypt mummy”. According to several player reports the Ancient Cyclops spawn seems to be linked to the “crypt mummy” spawn.
1) The spawn rate for this temple mob is 26 mins. After killing
the “crypt mummy” a Sand Giant and or one of the various kinds of mummies
seems spawns within the zone. This spawn appears to help and or is directly
linked to the spawning of the Ancient Cyclops.
2) The second spawn is the Sand Giant and or Various Mummy
spawns mentioned earlier. The following types of Mummies spawn within the
zone: A crypt mummy, lesser mummy and mummy. Search and destroy these four
types of spawn within the zone. Although these don’t seem to be a placeholders
for the “crypt mummy”, it does seems to assist in the spawning of the AC.
3) The third spawn, should you be as fortunate as player mentioned
earlier, would be the Ancient Cyclops. All statistical information on the
Ancient Cyclops can be found in this guide. Upon the death of the Ancient
Cyclops it will yield the “Ring of the Ancients”. LOOT IT!
While this method seems to have the ability to reduce camping time, it DOES NOT mean you will be in and out of South Ro in 20 minutes. I also know of several cases where this method took between 3 and 6 hrs to yield the Ancient Cyclops. This does seem to be below the average spawn time for the Ancient Cyclops, which is often 6 to 12, hrs of straight camping for players. Remember this does in no way mean this is the only way to make the Ancient Cyclops spawn or the best. Only the Verant Coders know that information. This is a player-derived technique that does seem to encourage the Ancient Cyclops spawn.
Kill Em All Method
Although, I will mention it in this guide, it is of course the most obvious and most blunt of the methods I will talk, about you can always resort to the “Kill Em All and Let God Sort Em Out” method. Although this can produce the Ancient Cyclops, I hope you are saying to yourself, as I once did, “there has to be a better way.” This Question is what prompted me to begin my many, many hours of information hunting on this subject. Killing everything in the zone is not only time consuming and attention demanding, you will also begin to thank the Gods of Norrath for the /ignore command. This zone is home to many 15th to 25th level players and all of who seem to know how to use the repeat last tell feature. They will begin to use it on you at will, when they find out you are the one raping the zone of all the viable targets. Many, aren’t aware that this ISN’T the only zone in Norrath that spawns 20th to 25th level mobs and will let you know how much they don’t like what you are doing. Explaining the circumstances, which have forced you to become Jboot crazy and are currently causing you to annihilate the entire zone, does not seem to appease them. I recommend either camping during the off hours of EverQuest and (2 to 5 am PST) or choosing an alternate course of action.Personal Comments:
If South Ro is your choice of camping locations I would combine with most recent spawn rumor (3 spawn point) with a limited “kill em all” approach. I recommend hitting the spawn points outlined and thing depending on your level, time and resources killing Mummies and Sand Giants. Many times there is already a Sand Giant group in the zone, which has its pros and cons. The nice part is you won’t have to hunt and kill all the Sand Giants that spawn. However, if the Ancient Cyclops spawns, you will have more competition.
*NOTE* Keep the Ancient Cyclops spawn away from the Dark Elf Merchant Camp, The WILL kill the Ancient Cyclops and Oooooh what a waste that would be!
2000 – 2500 68 max hps
South Karana (a.k.a. SK)
I have very little to report on this zone. Because of the size of the zone and the fact that the Cyclops who are reported to be placeholders wander all across the zone, you rarely see anyone camping here (I personally have never camped this zone for the Ancient Cyclops).A guildmate of mine (Druid) spent hours and hours killing the Cyclops in this zone without ever seeing the coveted Ancient Cyclops
Possible Placeholders –
|
Name |
Level Range |
Type |
Location |
Notes |
|
Cyclops |
27 to 31 |
Melee |
Wanders |
Slower then SoW |
|
Notes: There is no set spawn point as far as I know. |
||||
Strategies:
Never seen an Ancient Cyclops. The Cyclops are a straightforward kill
Kill Stealing:
I doubt KS’ing will be an issue in this zone. Should you find an Ancient Cyclops, stay away from the crowded locations (Paw, Aviak, Treants, and zone lines).
Step 3 A Shadowed Rapier
 |
|
|
Class |
Visual Identifier |
Comments |
|
Cleric |
Snow Cone |
Standard Cleric/Shaman NPC |
|
Necromancer |
Open Faced Book |
Includes a pet |
|
Warrior |
Various Weapons or no weapon |
Max Melee Damage: avg. 54 Skills: Parry, Riposte, Bash/Stun, Kick Hit Point Range: 950 to 1000 |
Comments:
The various Shadowman are all considered “summoned” creatures so the Expel Summoned Series spells will work against them. Shadowman have a relatively small aggro range but are social defenders (Harmony, Lull series). My personal favorite hunting spot is West Commons, wide-open area, large camp, and zoneline near by.
Factions:
Raises – Temple of Solusek Ro
Lowers - Shadowman
Rumors:
The “Class” based Loot Tables vary from zone to zone. (I doubt it)
West Commons spawns more Warrior type Shadowman then the other zones. (Probably)
Shadowmen Locations: (Zone Maps included)
|
Zone |
Coordinates |
# of NPCs |
Innothule |
-240, 980 |
2 |
|
Lavastorm |
-960, 785 |
3 |
|
Lesser Faydark |
-350,-1700 |
7 |
|
Nekotulos |
- | - |
|
West Commons |
-760, 3650 |
4 |
|
South Karana |
-4480,2940 |
4 |
Step 4 – Your Just Rewards
|
|
|
After you are lucky enough to get both the “Ring of the Ancients” and “Shadowed Rapier”, the next step is to return to Hasten and give him the items. With the items you need to give 3250 gold pieces. This can be a problem for some characters and we will discuss several ways to solve it.
First the gold weighs 81 stones. So if you have a Strength buff that can provide you with a STR higher than your normal weight plus 81 stones, you are all set. If you cant get a buff from a kind player, if you are a good race you will most likely need two buffs to make the run to Rathe Mountains from freeport/Qeynos/Rivervale, then here are some other options.
If you are a caster and can bind yourself to any area you can….. Bind yourself to a safe spot near the Ferrott zone line and that is also in Hasten’s run path within the zone. Refer to the Rathe Zone map (I recommend Loc ENTER HERE). Get a friend, of sufficient level to be able to kill you with you playing the role of a punching bag, to meet you at this loc. While your friend is running there, you are running to a bank. Freeport if you are good and Oggok if you are evil and will be allowed in the city. Once your friend is there, gate back. Put one trash item in your main Inventory screen. Have your friend kill you in a duel. After you recovery from the embarrassment of a duel death. Go over to your corpse and loot ONLY the money and the ONE trash item.
1) Now you have a choice, if Hasten is up and in the zone, you can also loot
the ring and the rapier from your corpse. You should be able to run around
the zone and find Hasten with your items waiting for you at your corpse.
This is somewhat more dangerous than the next method but faster.
2) This next method picks up just after you looted the one trash item and
your money from your corpse. Next, give your friend a good reason to want
to kill you. You will need to die in another duel. After recovery from the
duel, go over to your original corpse holding all your gear and loot it.
Now you are fully equipped and you have a personal bank on the ground… i.e.
your second corpse. DON’T LOOT IT! You want to drag your corpse in the
opposite direction of Hasten’s run path. Shouldn’t take long to run into
Hasten along this path. However, he is short and fast and if you don’t have
track or don’t have a tracker with you, I would recommend waiting at loc
ENTER HERE
Regardless of the method you use for transporting the gold, once you find Hasten give him the Ring of the Ancients, Shadowed Rapier and 3250 gold pieces and he will return the Journeyman Boots to you.