In the context of EverQuest, a long-running online role-playing game, the term "freebies" refers to specific in-game quests and programs that provide players with no-cost recipes, materials, and skill-ups for tradeskills such as smithing. These initiatives are designed to help players advance their crafting abilities without the typical expense and effort of acquiring raw materials. The source material provides a detailed look into these systems, focusing on quests available in zones like Abysmal Sea and Crescent Reach, and the process of obtaining recipes from various in-game historians and quest givers. For players interested in maximizing their in-game resources, these freebie quests function similarly to promotional offers, providing valuable assets at no initial cost.
The core of these freebie programs revolves around quests that allow for the refinement of raw materials. According to the documentation, these quests are available in both the Abysmal Sea and Crescent Reach zones. Players who have previously completed these quests may be able to obtain the associated recipes by simply speaking the word "recipes" to the relevant quest giver. This function serves as a way for the game to grant credit for past activities, ensuring that long-time players can access the necessary recipes without repeating old tasks. For those who have not completed the quests, the process involves performing the required combines. A quick test to determine if a player has already completed a refinement quest involves placing an unrefined item, such as taelosian wheat, into the associated tradeskill container. If the item refines successfully (e.g., into taelosian flour), the player has already completed the prerequisite and can learn the recipes by speaking to the quest giver.
The process of acquiring recipes is not limited to these specific freebie quests. A comprehensive approach to building a tradeskill repertoire involves visiting numerous vendors and historians across different zones. In the Plane of Knowledge, players are advised to visit Scribe Zikett, located near the small bank, as well as Blacksmith Gerta and Tailor Kujen, to check for any missing books. Additional tradeskill sellers can be found in an exterior room just off the entrance to the library. For players seeking a complete collection, Borik Darkanvil, who can be found using the "find" command, carries two books not available elsewhere. Culturist Devari is another vendor who may have missing books. Beyond the Plane of Knowledge, players should travel to Argath to check Bookseller Shoden's inventory for unscribed books. Using the "find" command to locate Yaun, who stands near Shoden, can simplify navigation.
The Abysmal Sea zone is a central hub for tradeskill advancement. In addition to the freebie quests, players should visit several merchants to scribe important books. These include a tradeskill armor historian, a cultural tinkering historian, a cultural tailoring historian, a cultural smithing historian, and a cultural discoveries historian. The documentation specifically notes that players should not skip the tinkering historian, even if they do not believe the skill applies to them, suggesting that a complete collection of books is beneficial for all players. The Abysmal Sea is also where players can find the quest givers for the freebie quests. The documentation mentions that for players above a 54 skill level, the "recipes" command may work in Crescent Reach, but the combine process is still required in Abysmal Sea. This indicates a potential difference in how the game's mechanics are implemented in the two zones.
Beyond the initial acquisition of recipes, the source material offers several key tips for efficient tradeskill progression. First, players should never forget to equip their tradeskill trophies. Even for recipes with a low trivial level, a trophy can help reduce the chance of failure. Failures can be costly, as they may require players to acquire replacement raw materials. Second, players should pay close attention to the items they create during the leveling process. Some items may be used as sub-combine ingredients for other recipes. Instead of selling or discarding these items, players should save them for future use, which can save significant time and inventory space. Alternatively, players can immediately use the item in its subsequent recipe to free up bag space and cross that particular recipe off their to-do list. Finally, learning a recipe is a straightforward process: a player simply needs to acquire the necessary ingredients and successfully complete the combine one time. Once a recipe is learned, it is permanently available to the player.
The documentation also highlights a specific challenge related to acquiring certain items or recipes from vendors. In some cases, an item may be "No Trade," meaning it cannot be sold or given to another player. This can be an issue if a player needs an item that their character cannot safely reach or purchase. The source material suggests a workaround for this problem: a player can "shroud" into a rogue character, who can use stealth abilities to hide, sneak, and get behind a vendor to purchase the desired item. This technique demonstrates the depth of knowledge within the player community for navigating the game's complex systems.
In addition to the primary freebie quests, the source material lists several other beneficial or tradeskill-related quests that can provide valuable rewards. These include the Aid Grimel Quest, Cultural Tradeskill Quests, Luclin Smithing, Reinforced Jeweler's Kit, Fisherman's Companion, A Hargar Brand Fishing Pail, Eron's Jewelry, and the Artisan's Prize. A specific section is also dedicated to the process of advancing skills from 300 to 350, indicating that the freebie system is just one part of a larger journey to mastery. When selecting recipes to level with, the documentation advises choosing recipes that minimize the need for foraged items, rare drops, or expensive and hard-to-farm ingredients. This strategy makes the leveling process more efficient and less dependent on the in-game economy or luck.
For those who may be struggling to reach a skill level of 350, the documentation provides a specific tip. It notes that some recipes, particularly those that are "quest only" and use "quest only" ingredients, may not count towards the overall skill advancement. If a player finds their skill advancement evading them at 350, they are advised to revisit the quest givers in both Crescent Reach and Abysmal Sea. As mentioned, saying "Recipes" to these NPCs can instantly teach all the recipes associated with their respective quests. This can be a quick way to learn a large number of recipes, which may be necessary for skill advancement. The chat window will be spammed with the recipes as they are learned, so players should be prepared for a large influx of text.
The source material also provides context on the broader culture of EverQuest, describing it as a "legendary MMORPG" that set many of the standards for the genre. The game is known for its significant time investment, with players spending hundreds of hours to reach maximum level and engaging in lengthy periods of mana regeneration between fights. The community is described as passionate, with stories of players going to extreme lengths to maintain control of a monster camp or organizing real-life phone chains to alert guild members of rare monster spawns. This background helps to frame the tradeskill freebies as a welcome and valuable feature within a game that is otherwise known for its demanding and time-consuming nature. The freebies serve as a form of quality-of-life improvement, reducing some of the grind associated with crafting.
In summary, the EverQuest tradeskill freebie system is a multifaceted collection of quests, vendors, and recipes designed to help players advance their crafting skills at no cost. The process involves visiting specific zones like Abysmal Sea and Crescent Reach, interacting with quest givers, and scribing books from numerous vendors across the game world. Key strategies for success include equipping tradeskill trophies, saving sub-combine ingredients, and carefully selecting recipes to avoid reliance on rare or expensive materials. The system is not a simple, one-time reward but an ongoing process that requires knowledge of specific in-game locations and mechanics. For dedicated players, mastering these freebie systems can provide a significant advantage in their crafting journey, allowing them to create powerful items and progress toward the highest skill levels with greater efficiency.