BETAServer is in pre-launch beta · official launch date TBAWhat this means →
Crushbone

Lore

Server History

Crushbone's founding, major milestones, and the lore choices that made it.

Crushbone was founded as a Classic-through-PoP preserved server on EQEmu, with a specific design philosophy: honor the feel of early EverQuest while removing the race-class-deity lockouts that aged badly.

Timeline

  • Server conception: RoF2-client-on-Mac was proven workable via CrossOver 26 with GPTK 2.x. Server stood up on a VPS at 77.42.47.147 running the akk-stack EQEmu Docker deployment.
  • Content era lock: Classic through Planes of Power. Post-PoP expansions (LoY, LDoN, GoD+) exist in the database but are disabled.
  • Custom rules applied: Any race × any class × any deity. AA as the primary specialization path. (Spell mechanics remain canonical — class spell lists and the 8-slot mem cap are standard.)
  • GM Guild formed: Rusty designated lead GM, bound to Plane of Knowledge by design.
  • Cogsworth bot deployed: Discord AI helper voiced as an Ak'Anon Series IV clockwork. Hosted on the Mac mini, not the VPS.
  • CBZ (Crushbone Zeal) client mod shipped: Fork of solar984/eqclientmod-rof2. Server-sanctioned QoL mod, open source, attribution-first.
  • PoK Phase 1 cull (2026-04-21): 92 NPCs removed to address Apple Silicon renderer pressure.
  • ZEM table published, admin dash built (2026-04-22): Live per-zone ZEM adjustable via admin dashboard.
  • Wiki launched (2026-04-22): Public TAKP/P99-style wiki went live. Zones, classes, races, epics, guides, lore.
  • Spell memorization rule rolled back (2026-04-24): Initial "any class can cast any spell" rule removed. Canonical class spell lists restored. Custom rules now limited to race-class-deity freedom.
  • Race × Class × Deity in-game audit (2026-04-23): Full matrix reviewed against wiki claims. Foundation solid; stat allocation issues surfaced.
  • P0 caster stat fix (2026-04-24): Off-canon caster combos (Troll/Ogre/Barb/Dwarf/Halfling/Vah Shir × Necro/Wiz/Mage/Enc) reassigned from unplayable race-default allocations (e.g. Troll Wizard INT=52) to a caster-appropriate template with INT=85. 408 rows touched.
  • P1-B minimal balance fix (2026-04-24): Remaining below-floor combos addressed with flavor-preserving per-race allocations — Half Elf priest/BST WIS 60→65, Ogre Bard CHA 42→50, Troll Bard CHA 45→50. Dwarf Bard (CHA 45) preserved as canonical EQ quirk. MOTD simplified to "Welcome to Crushbone." Character Creation wiki guide published.

Design choices worth naming

  • The Keepers of the Way — a 16-NPC neutral order, one per playable race (including Drakkin, Crushbone's sixteenth playable race), designed but build-banked until live server stability settles. Saraeth the Drakkin Keeper records new Drakkin arrivals via the Ledger of Wakings.
  • Dynamic ZEM rotation — designed, not yet built. RNG or scheduled rotation of bonus ZEM zones to prevent single-zone grind monopolies.
  • AA-first specialization — the most important Crushbone design decision. By making AA the build differentiator, the server rewards long-term commitment without locking new players out.

Related