Post by Morreion on Feb 3, 2010 11:39:14 GMT -5
I've mentioned that one of the primary attractions for me to Vanguard is the huge and seamless world.
Vanguard avoids instancing and load screens by having chunks, which are 2-kilometer squares (actually cubes) on the map. Think of a chunk as a zone. To be fair, when you cross a chunk line, there is some lag or your screen will freeze for a few seconds. But you can see very long distances in the game world; the feeling is gratifyingly seamless. I often find a high vantage point and see how far I can look into the distance. There are over 180 chunks in Vanguard's world.
Each chunk is a zone in and of itself, containing spawn areas, dungeons (varying from small mini-places to large complexes), adventuring outposts where you pick up quests, and the occasional town or city.
Telon is the name of the world, consisting of the continents of Thestra and Qalia and the island archipelago of Kojan. With the help of GamePressure and Silky Venom, here are more details:
Thestra is one of the three continents of Telon where new players can choose to start the game. The hero of Thestra is Jeric Targonor.
The massive continent of Thestra is the jewel in Telon's crown. Its rich hinterlands abound with wildlife and expansive forests hiding untold ruins ripe for exploration and high adventure. Thestra is the birthplace of some of the realm's most famed adventurers and many more travel to her shores in the hope of making a name for themselves.
The continent is also home to many of the grandest cities in all of Telon. Caravans frequently stop at New Targonor, a human port city renowed for bustling marketplaces and political infighting between the ruling houses. Walking underneath the elegant spires and grand towers of the High Elf city, Leth Nurae, is an experience to be treasured by any traveler. Deep within the central mountain ranges of Thestra, the formidible Dwarven fortress of Bordinar's Cleft resides. The great plains that stretch out from the Dwarven held mountains are under the dominion of Halgarad, an outpost held by the Barbarian peoples of Varanjar and their allies the Half Giants.
The Kojanese Archipelago is covered by dense jungles, and is often considered a continent due to the total land mass of its many islands, architecture, and the fact that new players can choose to start the game here. The heroine of Kojan is Eila.
Kojan is "...to the east; inhabitants of the tumultuous jungles of Kojan fiercely battle encroaching otherworldly fiends."
"The island chains of Kojan are steeped in mysticism and shrouded in ancient tradition. From dense jungles which have swallowed entire cities to the mist-shrouded mountains hiding forgotten monasteries, the Kojani lands are rich in history and offer ample opportunity to an adventurer quick of wit or sword.
Great artifacts lay undisturbed in the ruins beyond the imperial city of Tanvu where Kojani Humans and Half Elves work side-by-side trying to restore the glory of their city. With powerful battlements and crude domiciles, the port city of Martok is home to cunning Orcs and Goblins who are willing to help any adventurer part with their gold. Hidden away in the jungle, the Wood Elves and their Raki allies have created a sanctuary, Caial Brael, where they hone their skills against the savage dwellers of the inner island."
Qalia is one of the three continents of Telon where new players can choose to start the game. Qalia is a harsh desert wasteland, with a history of civil wars and cataclysms. The hero of Qalia is Idara.
The sands of Qalia have seen the rise and fall of many ambitious yet ultimately ill-fated empires. Intrepid adventurers tell of fantastic ruins that stand as silent witnesses to the power and knowledge of the Ancients. The Mordebi and Qaliathari Empires have sunk beneath the sands, but their memory and accomplishments still resonate in the hearts of the nomads that remain.
Qalia is a continent of extremes. Fierce sandstorms, harsh sun-blasted deserts, impassable mountain ranges - these are its defining features. Though the land is unforgiving, it is alive with vibrant, minaret-peaked cities and blissful oases.
The descendants of the Mordebi and Qaliathari live among the faded glory of their once great empires in the breathtaking city of Khal. Within the cavernous city of Hathor Zhi, Dark Elves perfect their magical skills in preparation for their next great raid. Hidden deep within the vast desert wastelands, the feline Kurashasa live side by side with the nomadic Varathari in the trading outpost of Lomshir. The whimsical city of Mekalia, built upon an ancient wellspring, is filled with song and mischief from its Gnomish inhabitants.
Vanguard avoids instancing and load screens by having chunks, which are 2-kilometer squares (actually cubes) on the map. Think of a chunk as a zone. To be fair, when you cross a chunk line, there is some lag or your screen will freeze for a few seconds. But you can see very long distances in the game world; the feeling is gratifyingly seamless. I often find a high vantage point and see how far I can look into the distance. There are over 180 chunks in Vanguard's world.
Each chunk is a zone in and of itself, containing spawn areas, dungeons (varying from small mini-places to large complexes), adventuring outposts where you pick up quests, and the occasional town or city.
Telon is the name of the world, consisting of the continents of Thestra and Qalia and the island archipelago of Kojan. With the help of GamePressure and Silky Venom, here are more details:
There are many races and starting areas:
Thestra:
Thestra is one of the three continents of Telon where new players can choose to start the game. The hero of Thestra is Jeric Targonor.
The massive continent of Thestra is the jewel in Telon's crown. Its rich hinterlands abound with wildlife and expansive forests hiding untold ruins ripe for exploration and high adventure. Thestra is the birthplace of some of the realm's most famed adventurers and many more travel to her shores in the hope of making a name for themselves.
The continent is also home to many of the grandest cities in all of Telon. Caravans frequently stop at New Targonor, a human port city renowed for bustling marketplaces and political infighting between the ruling houses. Walking underneath the elegant spires and grand towers of the High Elf city, Leth Nurae, is an experience to be treasured by any traveler. Deep within the central mountain ranges of Thestra, the formidible Dwarven fortress of Bordinar's Cleft resides. The great plains that stretch out from the Dwarven held mountains are under the dominion of Halgarad, an outpost held by the Barbarian peoples of Varanjar and their allies the Half Giants.
Kojan:
The Kojanese Archipelago is covered by dense jungles, and is often considered a continent due to the total land mass of its many islands, architecture, and the fact that new players can choose to start the game here. The heroine of Kojan is Eila.
Kojan is "...to the east; inhabitants of the tumultuous jungles of Kojan fiercely battle encroaching otherworldly fiends."
"The island chains of Kojan are steeped in mysticism and shrouded in ancient tradition. From dense jungles which have swallowed entire cities to the mist-shrouded mountains hiding forgotten monasteries, the Kojani lands are rich in history and offer ample opportunity to an adventurer quick of wit or sword.
Great artifacts lay undisturbed in the ruins beyond the imperial city of Tanvu where Kojani Humans and Half Elves work side-by-side trying to restore the glory of their city. With powerful battlements and crude domiciles, the port city of Martok is home to cunning Orcs and Goblins who are willing to help any adventurer part with their gold. Hidden away in the jungle, the Wood Elves and their Raki allies have created a sanctuary, Caial Brael, where they hone their skills against the savage dwellers of the inner island."
Qalia:
Qalia is one of the three continents of Telon where new players can choose to start the game. Qalia is a harsh desert wasteland, with a history of civil wars and cataclysms. The hero of Qalia is Idara.
The sands of Qalia have seen the rise and fall of many ambitious yet ultimately ill-fated empires. Intrepid adventurers tell of fantastic ruins that stand as silent witnesses to the power and knowledge of the Ancients. The Mordebi and Qaliathari Empires have sunk beneath the sands, but their memory and accomplishments still resonate in the hearts of the nomads that remain.
Qalia is a continent of extremes. Fierce sandstorms, harsh sun-blasted deserts, impassable mountain ranges - these are its defining features. Though the land is unforgiving, it is alive with vibrant, minaret-peaked cities and blissful oases.
The descendants of the Mordebi and Qaliathari live among the faded glory of their once great empires in the breathtaking city of Khal. Within the cavernous city of Hathor Zhi, Dark Elves perfect their magical skills in preparation for their next great raid. Hidden deep within the vast desert wastelands, the feline Kurashasa live side by side with the nomadic Varathari in the trading outpost of Lomshir. The whimsical city of Mekalia, built upon an ancient wellspring, is filled with song and mischief from its Gnomish inhabitants.
