Vecna Unleashed Mini Expansion Details

[Arcanaverse]

Greetings and Salutations,

As details come to light about DDO’s next expansion and coming from so many different sources I thought I’d corral them into a single area. Personally, after solving the Dark Secret Puzzle unlocking the alternate ending to the raid Skeletons in the Closet with our community over at twitch.tv/Arcanaverse… I couldn’t be more hyped for Vecna Unleashed!

When will it be released?
No exact date has been set yet, but according to the latest Q&A, update 61. Based on the original timeline from the producer’s letter, I’m guessing late q3 or q4 release. The free quest to set the stage for the expansion is slated for update 60.

Which is a little weird as Kill Ten Rats was/is supposed to be a lead up quest, but maybe another is on the way? Which not saying no to that.

When is the Next Preview?
Latest Fridays at Four. Next week will be a 59 patch. Following will have the Machrotechnic preview the week of June 21st

What will we get?
Latest we know for certain

5+ quests - 18/34
1 Raid
Epic Destiny: Machrotechnic
Level 18/32 Rogue Hireling - Darling (wererat)
Tome of Universal Enchancement +1 (Morgrave)
2 Mounts - Ancient Lich's Steed & Academic's Steed
2 Pets - Tiny Flameskull & Gilded Warforged Owl
Cosmetic Set - Ancient Lich Outer Wraps, Wraps, Crown
Cosmetic Set - Morgrave Academic's Hat, Robes, Cape

Wilderness Area?
There hasn’t been any mention there being one yet, so there may not be a teleporter. Vecna’s storyline also points to him potentially showing up all throughout the game as opposed to a specific area like previous expansions that focus on a location.

Loot?
Raid Loot and Augments are in yet and some items are unfinished, but can see what can be found so far within the loot feedback thread.

Plot Points
We’ll be aiding Morgrave University to fight against Vecna, but there are a lot of threads to explore.

Conch of Secrets
Planar Eyes
Codex Pages
Yarrow (aka Ghost Flame) and Lindal (Death’s Teeth)
Corrupted Unicorns & Hyrsam
Mysterious Remnants
The Traveler
A Familiar Face

See next post for more details on plot points.

Any Secrets Found Yet?
Maybe! Currently in the process of deciphering some text and going over the smaller details and easter eggs that we found in the preview. Will be covering this on my next stream on Sundays at 4pm est, but can you can also join the discussion earlier by joining the discord.

And yes, there will probably be a master doc and/or a spreadsheet... I'll update if/when I complete that.

Sources of Info and Discussion

With such anticipation, feel free to join us at twitch.tv/Arcanaverse (currently streaming Sundays at 4pm est) and/or the Arcanaverse Discord as we delve into the content. In addition to this post, here are some other locations that are sure to have some juicy info.

(if you’d like to see more places listed here, let me know)

DDO Wiki & it’s Vecna Unleashed Page
DDO Reddit
DDO Discord
DDO Stream and Youtube

Lamannia Update 60 Preview 2 - Overview

Did I Miss or Mistake Anything?
If you see anything incorrect or have anything new to add, let me know! Thanks

 

[Arcanaverse]

For a bigger delve into the potential storylines Venca Unleashed may touch upon.

Yarrow (aka Ghost Flame) and Lindal (Death’s Teeth)
With the alternate ending discovered, we free Yarrow from her pact with Vecna and she escapes from the volcano to a destination unknown. I tried to ask about their origins and future during my Interview with Torc, but he was unable to answer in a manner that seemed to be something SSG plans to touch on in the future.

Conch of Secrets
Origins really pick up with the quests, Dread Sea Scrolls and Captive of Hidden God. Where we meet Fowpaw and his experiments with the Conch of Secrets.

Spoiler

Vecna has taken the Conch and if I’m not mistaken is still in his possession.
We catch up with Foxpaw studying the pages at Morgrave in the quest turn the page. The Conch of Secrets always makes an appearance in the Devourer section of The Evil We know and it was weird.

Planar Eyes
Morgrave University decided to take charge of protecting the various planar eyes, however as a result of The Hand and Eyes…

Spoiler

Just as we collect them all thinking they’re going to be safe, Vecna reveals himself and scampers off with the eyes.

Codex Pages
We believe that the shattering of Codex of the Infinite Planes dropped the veil concealing Eberron allowing Vecna to find it. Who then posed as the Mysterious Stranger employing Hyrsam to gather pages for him.

Spoiler

We thought the box was destroyed at the end of the shroud. There may be some off screen goings on or another quest that may explain more, but the book is back (or was never fully destroyed in the first place). It doesn't have all its pages nor its remnants yet and its on a mission to collect them. But is being contained at Morgrave despite warnings of others.

Corrupted Unicorns
At the end of the Dryad and the Demi-God...

Spoiler

We thwart Hyrsam’s plan and optionally defeat Scath the leader of the corrupted unicorns. Who were agents sent by Vecna to aid Hyrsam. Presumably they’re still around looking to free themselves.

The Traveler
He's been popping up a lot recently. Especially in the latest series, Grip of the Hidden Hand. The member of the Dark Six and theorized lord of Eberron has also taken interest.

Spoiler

Update 6/27/2023:
The Traveler is prominently featured as expected. Not only that, within The Evil We Know we gain assistance from each of the other members of the Dark Six in our fight against Vecna.

Based on the set bonuses, every "god" level characters seems to be rallying against Vecna. Such as Vol and the Lord of Blades. A god war story arc? Things are getting interesting.

_____

In each quest of the hidden hand, the traveler appears to us an interactable. Always wearing the same hat regardless of the form. And all encounters are basically at or very near the entrance of each quest.

Army of Eternal Night - Wandering Elf
Order in the Court - Normal Statue
Three Paths to Battle - Odd Lantern Archon
Growing Pains - Totally Normal Cow *Side note very worth talking to the cow multiple times. very funny
The Hand and the Eyes - Wanderer

However, it the odd Lantern Archon that seals the deal for me.

The Traveler, an estranged member of the Dark Six, not that it is really related to them or even the Sovereign Host.

From the wiki:

The most mysterious of all the gods, the Traveler is believed to be a supreme shapeshifter and trickster, a virtuoso of deceit and craftiness, a creator of things and a bringer of knowledge.[1][2][6][3][8] It is even believed to be the true lord of Eberron, having walked all its roads and seen all its sights, and left them all transformed.[5] However, it is also said to be impulsive and unpredictable[16] and a creature of dark cunning.[5] The Traveler is thought to look favorably on those who use their wits or are resourceful, and to disapprove of those who beg for safety and care or for unearned gifts.[6]

Bolded for emphasis in where the Traveler sits in regards to others in Eberron and would be invaders.

Mysterious Remnants
Kill Ten Rats had the Morgrave transporting a codex page, but somehow Algernon gets a Remnant stuck in his head and run off. We recover it, but if this quest was indeed meant to be a lead up... we could get some serious lore the remnants.

A Familiar Face
In, I think the Tolero update with the producers letter it was mentioned that we'd see a familiar face. Durk? Jacoby Drexelhand? Traveler? Foxpaw? Jebezook Nackle? Arraetrikos? So many choices.

Will a New Era Be Upon Us?
With all these potential points and the comment from the producer's letter "Our long-running story will reach a peak we know you'll want to be a part of!" We could be reaching an end of era and a beginning of something new. Get hyped!

 

[rabidfox]

AP Tome - Update 59 saw the renaming of the Sharn AP tome. Speculation is that this was done to accommodate SSG adding more.

Some people mentioned that wording on many capstones enhancements were changed to add 'no capstone enhancements from other trees"; which makes sense since we'd hit 82 points making double capstones possible if another universal tomes is added.

 

[Arcanaverse]

Thanks.

The more I think about it, starting to feel like Vecna Unleashed shouldn't be a mini expansion. Instead be a 'major' expansion. Story wise, feels like it could easily be bigger than Menace of the Underdark.

And with it being delayed like it has... feels like they're probably adding more which I can only support.

 

[Dragnilar]

Thanks for the write up - I've been wondering a lot of the same things with the plot because of the inclusion of the underdark panther. Glad to see someone else is as excited about what the story may include

Regarding the conch - if I'm not mistaken, isn't it still in Foxpaw's possession? I seem to recall it washed up on the beach along with the party and Foxpaw at the end of "Captives of the Hidden God". Yarrow made a remark in one of her journal entries that seemed to imply that Foxpaw was carrying it around.

I'm also just guessing, but something about Foxpaw himself makes me wonder if there's more to him than just being a "bumbling Drow", as Yarrow put it.

 

[Lotoc]

Thanks.

The more I think about it, starting to feel like Vecna Unleashed shouldn't be a mini expansion. Instead be a 'major' expansion. Story wise, feels like it could easily be bigger than Menace of the Underdark.

And with it being delayed like it has... feels like they're probably adding more which I can only support.

honestly felt much the same, the only thing that seems to it'd missing from Vecna Unleashed that's typical of full expansions is a new player race and maybe it lacks an wilderness area.

 

[Arcanaverse]

Thanks to Yamani and Apep from the discord... I had not noticed how prominent the Traveler had become recently. I'm sure to dedicate at least one stream to this searching out all I can.

But a 2/3 way deity clash could be in our not too distant future.

 

[Arcanaverse]

Thanks for the write up - I've been wondering a lot of the same things with the plot because of the inclusion of the underdark panther. Glad to see someone else is as excited about what the story may include

Regarding the conch - if I'm not mistaken, isn't it still in Foxpaw's possession? I seem to recall it washed up on the beach along with the party and Foxpaw at the end of "Captives of the Hidden God". Yarrow made a remark in one of her journal entries that seemed to imply that Foxpaw was carrying it around.

I'm also just guessing, but something about Foxpaw himself makes me wonder if there's more to him than just being a "bumbling Drow", as Yarrow put it.

I guess I'm not sure either. Foxpaw and the Conch were targets for Vecna to bring to the island. While we open a portal back to eberron, I think foxpaw and the conch may still be there. Unsure of their fate atm, but I guess I'm counting it among Vecna's collection as I assume he's still there? Maybe?

 

[Dragnilar]

I guess I'm not sure either. Foxpaw and the Conch were targets for Vecna to bring to the island. While we open a portal back to eberron, I think foxpaw and the conch may still be there. Unsure of their fate atm, but I guess I'm counting it among Vecna's collection as I assume he's still there? Maybe?

Yeah, we didn't really get any answer on what happened to Foxpaw after the end of Dread. I was expecting him to be in "Kill 10 Rats" since Zarnoff (spelling may be wrong) and the Gatekeepers are involved in that quest. But nope... So you could be right!

I'm also wondering if the Macrotechnic ED has any relevance to the plot...

On that note, I'm wondering if that ED will allow non artificers to make use of Rune Arms (much like GMoF allows none monks to use centering and ki)? Probably will find out soon

 

[Arcanaverse]

So, good news. HC completed. Next Sunday, I'll be diving into the Traveler lore. In the meantime, beyond showing up in the hidden hand quests, does anyone know if the Traveler has shown up or been mentioned elsewhere?

 

[kmoustakas]

The thing I'm really excited for is the destiny. Being an epic completionist with an artificer main I miss ETR'ing

 

[Geezer]

I watched part of the friday at 4 show and I swear that Cordo said something about Vecna unleashed was next year, but maybe he misspoke?

 

[Baconator]

What will we get?
Last we heard, 8 quests, a raid, and an Epic Destiny, Machotechnic. Speculation on what else may be in the bundle(s):

Yet another expansion we have to pay for. Yet another reason ViP is means what? Sorry, my days of paying for DDO content are over. Heck, I still haven't bought IoD, (for those saying "I want to support the game" I did since Oct 2006. The value for my money just isn't justified. I'd like to be proven wrong, the last 5 years did just the opposite.

 

[somenewnoob]

Yet another expansion we have to pay for. Yet another reason ViP is means what? Sorry, my days of paying for DDO content are over. Heck, I still haven't bought IoD, (for those saying "I want to support the game" I did since Oct 2006. The value for my money just isn't justified. I'd like to be proven wrong, the last 5 years did just the opposite.

Do like I do and just use points you get from favor. Haven't spent a dime in years and have all content.

 

[misterski]

Yet another expansion we have to pay for. Yet another reason ViP is means what? Sorry, my days of paying for DDO content are over. Heck, I still haven't bought IoD, (for those saying "I want to support the game" I did since Oct 2006. The value for my money just isn't justified. I'd like to be proven wrong, the last 5 years did just the opposite.

You've always had to pay for expansions regardless of VIP status. It was adventure packs that you got for free while VIP. The thing that pissed people off were the creation of "mini" expansions to justify charging everyone for the content rather than a full blow expansion like MoTU.

 

[Arcanaverse]

I watched part of the friday at 4 show and I swear that Cordo said something about Vecna unleashed was next year, but maybe he misspoke?

I couldn't find anything saying next year for u61 in the last Fridays @ 4. If you have a better idea of where that info came from let me know.

Preview for u60 soon, u61 should be later this year if the timeline holds. Of course though, that is not guaranteed and things may change as the time progresses.

As for the VIP value and mini expansion conversations, I'll respectfully ask those conversations be held in a different thread as those topics are large enough to warrant them. Here I'm hoping to focus on answering the common questions and sus out all the juicy lore details of the upcoming content.

Thanks

 

[Baconator]

You've always had to pay for expansions regardless of VIP status. It was adventure packs that you got for free while VIP. The thing that pissed people off were the creation of "mini" expansions to justify charging everyone for the content rather than a full blow expansion like MoTU.

I've been around since Beta, I know how content releases work thank you. Until RL I bought top tier packages, then came cosmetic fluff with those. No thanks, I bought an otto's box 4? months ago, that was the last $ I've spent. The ViP value is dismal, so I won't renew until I see a substatial change. As to the thread, we haven't heard any details, (or very little) so I find it amusing when players offer up speculation. No offence to the OP.
My angst is directed at SSG and lack of transparency. The streams on Fridays are not worth watching anymore,

 

[Grumpy]

Level 18/32 Rogue Hireling - Darling (wererat)


Did I Miss or Mistake Anything?
If you see anything incorrect or have anything new to add, let me know! Thanks

Not saying this is missing anything or that this is even the right place to comment, however a level 18 Hireling is just wrong. Think about the amount of time that you stay at level 18. The hire would be much more useful if it was a level 16 hire.

 

[Arcanaverse]

Not saying this is missing anything or that this is even the right place to comment, however a level 18 Hireling is just wrong. Think about the amount of time that you stay at level 18. The hire would be much more useful if it was a level 16 hire.

Glass half full... It comes online for House of Pain and most likely will be good enough to handle our trapping 'needs' through the Sentinels chain, and maybe probably even through Vault of Night in epics.

Fingers crossed for a mid heroic and mid epic in the future, but assuming we won't see those anytime soon the more I think about it the more correct it seems. That being said, if a 16 version had the same range of effectiveness, I wouldn't say no.

 

[rabidfox]

Not saying this is missing anything or that this is even the right place to comment, however a level 18 Hireling is just wrong. Think about the amount of time that you stay at level 18. The hire would be much more useful if it was a level 16 hire.

Currently taking 20+ no longer locks out doing reapers for heroic quests (has been like that since update 59- it just uses the base+4 level locked mechanic). Could be a bug that'll be fixed or it could be prep work on SSG's part to make the expanasion being level 18 more accepted since players would be able to do reaper Vecna at 20+. So they might expect people to hover around that level range's content more.