Editing EverQuest (section)

==Gameplay==
Many of the elements in ''EverQuest'' have been drawn from text-based [[Multi-user dungeon|MUD]] (Multi-User Dungeon) games, particularly [[DikuMUD]]s, which in turn were inspired by traditional [[role-playing game]]s such as ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]''.<ref name = "bqjsnq">{{cite book |last=Bartle |first=Richard |author-link=Richard Bartle|title=Designing Virtual Worlds |year=2003 |publisher= New Riders Games |isbn= 978-0-13-101816-7|title-link=Designing Virtual Worlds}}</ref> In ''EverQuest'', players create a character (also known as an [[Avatar (computing)#Avatars in games|avatar]], or colloquially as a ''char'' or ''toon'') by selecting one of twelve races in the game, which were humans, high-elves, wood-elves, half-elves, dark-elves, erudites, barbarians, dwarves, halflings, gnomes, ogres, and trolls. In the first expansion, lizard-people (Iksar) were introduced. Cat-people (Vah Shir), frog-people (Froglok), and dragon-people (Drakkin) were all introduced in later expansions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wiki.project1999.com/Character_Races|title = Character Races - Project 1999 Wiki}}</ref> At creation, players select each character's adventuring occupation (such as a wizard, ranger, or cleric), a patron deity, and starting city. Customization of the character facial appearance is available at creation (hair, hair color, face style, facial hair, facial hair color, eye color, etc.).

[[Image:Sand Giant - EverQuest - 1999.jpg|left|250px|thumb|A Sand Giant engaging a group in the Oasis of Marr, a desert zone. The low-polygon character models and simple user interface suggest this screenshot was taken between 1999 and 2002.]]

Players move their character throughout the medieval fantasy world of Norrath, often fighting monsters and enemies for treasure and [[experience point]]s, and optionally mastering trade skills. As they progress, players advance in level, gaining power, prestige, spells, and abilities through valorous deeds such as entering overrun castles and keeps, defeating worthy opponents found within, and [[Looting (gaming)|looting]] their remains. Experience and prestigious equipment can also be obtained by completing quests given out by [[non-player character]]s found throughout the land.

''EverQuest'' allows players to interact with other people through [[Role-playing|role-play]], joining player [[Clan (computer gaming)|guilds]], and dueling other players (in restricted situations – ''EverQuest'' only allows [[player versus player]] (PVP) combat on the PvP-specific server, specified arena zones and through agreed upon dueling).

The game-world of ''EverQuest'' consists of over five hundred zones.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://everquest.station.sony.com/everquest.vm |title=EverQuest – Massively Multiplayer Online Fantasy Role-Playing Game |publisher=Everquest.station.sony.com |access-date=2011-12-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111225042523/http://everquest.station.sony.com/everquest.vm |archive-date=2011-12-25}}</ref>

Multiple instances of the world exist on various servers. In the past, game server populations were visible during log-in, and showed peaks of more than 3000 players per server. The design of ''EverQuest'', like other [[massively multiplayer online role-playing game]]s, makes it highly amenable to cooperative play, with each player having a specific role within a given group.

===Classes===
''EverQuest'' featured fourteen playable character classes upon release in 1999, with two others - Beastlord and Berserker - added in the ''[[EverQuest expansions#The Shadows of Luclin|Shadows of Luclin]]'' (2001) and ''[[EverQuest expansions#Gates of Discord|Gates of Discord]]'' (2004) expansions, respectively. Each person falls within one of four general categories based on playstyle and the type of abilities they use, with certain classes being restricted to particular races.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.everquest.com/classes |title=EverQuest – Classes |publisher=[[Daybreak Game Company]] |access-date=November 17, 2018}}</ref>

Melee classes are those which fight at close quarters and often use direct physical attacks as opposed to magic. These include the [[Warrior (character class)|Warrior]], a [[tank (computer gaming)|tank]]-based character which wears heavy armor and is designed to take damage for its group using a [[taunt#video games|taunt]] ability; the [[Monk (character class)|Monk]], a character which uses a combination of [[martial arts]] and barehanded fighting techniques; the [[Rogue (character class)|Rogue]], a combination of thief and assassin classes which can sneak and hide in the shadows as well as steal from enemies; and the Berserker, a strong fighter who specialize in two-handed weapons such as axes and are able to enter a state of increased fury and power.

Priest classes are primarily healers who learn magic that can heal their allies or themselves. The Priest classes are made up of the [[Cleric (character class)|Cleric]], a heavily specialized support class that wears heavy armor and is adept at healing and strengthening their allies; the [[Druid (character class)|Druid]], a magic-user who draws power from nature which can restore the vitality and magic power of their teammates; and the [[Shaman (character class)|Shaman]], tribal warriors who draw upon the spirit realm to heal, empower those around them, and weaken their enemies.

Casters are magic-users and sorcerers which wear light armor but command powerful spells. Those among them include the [[Wizard (character class)|Wizard]], a specialized damage-dealing class which uses the power of fire, ice, and pure magic energy for devastating effect as well as teleportation abilities; the Magician, a summoner who is able to call upon elemental servants which aid them in dealing damage; the Necromancer, a dark caster who uses the power of disease and poison to wither away their opponents while commanding undead allies to aid them;<ref name="EQPlayers Necro Spells">{{cite web | title=Necromancer Spell Reference | publisher=Sony Online Entertainment | url=http://eqplayers.station.sony.com/goToPage.action?goToPageNumber=1&result=spellsearch&spellSearch.classId=11 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716105058/http://eqplayers.station.sony.com/goToPage.action?goToPageNumber=1&result=spellsearch&spellSearch.classId=11 | archive-date=2011-07-16}}</ref> and the Enchanter, an illusionist who can take on many forms, support allies with strengthening spells, and pacify enemies with mesmerizing abilities.

Hybrid classes are those which can perform multiple roles or have abilities of various types. These include [[Paladin (character class)|Paladins]], knights who possess the ability to take damage or heal with magic or [[laying on of hands]]; Shadowknights, dark warriors who use a combination of melee attacks and disease/poison abilities to damage foes as well as take damage for the party; the [[Bard (character class)|Bard]], a [[minstrel]] who is able to use magical songs for a number of effects - including damaging enemies, strengthening allies, and improving the movement speed of themselves and others; [[Ranger (character class)|Rangers]], protectors of nature who learn healing and support magic in addition to being able to damage enemies in close combat or at a distance with bows and arrows. They also have the unique ability to track their quarry, mastering the tyranny of distance out in the wild unknown reaches of Norrath. Finally, Beastlords are primal fighters who are constantly joined by their animal wards which help them deal damage, and can assist their teammates with healing and support skills.

===Deities===
There are several deities in ''EverQuest'' who each have a certain area of responsibility and play a role in the backstory of the game setting. A wide array of armor and weapons are tied to certain deities, making it only possible for those who worship that specific deity to wear/equip them. Additionally, deities determine, to some extent, where characters may and may not go without being attacked on sight by the deity's minions and devoted followers.

===Zones===
The ''EverQuest'' universe is divided into more than five hundred zones.<ref name="EverQuest Main Page">{{cite web | title=SOE EverQuest page | url=https://www.everquest.com/game-overview | publisher=Sony}}</ref> These zones represent a wide variety of geographical features, including plains, oceans, cities, deserts, and other planes of existence. One of the most popular zones in the game is the Plane of Knowledge, one of the few zones in which all races and classes can coexist harmoniously without interference. The Plane of Knowledge is also home to portals to many other zones, including portals to other planes and to the outskirts of nearly every starting city.