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Infected Paw
Infected Paw is the early version of Splitpaw Lair. It is the site where in gnoll legend, their god set his foot upon the earth, and the surface markings are his footprint. Nobody knows if this is true, but hunters in Southern Karana know the three talons rising from the ground that mark the entrance to the lair.
Classic Research
At some point in the future this section of the page will be split off for historical purposes, and the "Future Zone Page" will become the page ... after this zone makes on to P99.
Until then, the following is a compilation of all research done into classic "Infected Paw", based mainly off [1] (also the older/locked [2]).
All Known Classic Screenshots of Infected Paw
As of 2024, I've added these to the EQ Archive git repo:
https://github.com/dbsanfte/eq-archives/tree/master/screenshots/classic_paw
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http://web.archive.org/web/20000831211015/http://gameznet.com/eq/sceenshots/splitpawgnoll.JPG
http://web.archive.org/web/20040415042946/http://gameznet.com/eq/sceenshots/paw.JPG
https://www.oocities.org/eq_iago/images/EQ000043.jpg
http://bloodwolf.org/~rulnak/Pictures/Alruna/Searching/AlrunaInPaw1.jpg
http://bloodwolf.org/~rulnak/Pictures/RaceWar/GartherenPaw.jpg
http://bloodwolf.org/~rulnak/Pictures/RaceWar/NelranoPaw.jpg
http://bloodwolf.org/~rulnak/Pictures/RaceWar/NelranoPaw2.jpg
http://bloodwolf.org/~rulnak/Pictures/RaceWar/PataPaw.jpg
http://bloodwolf.org/~rulnak/Pictures/RaceWar/PataPaw2.jpg
http://bloodwolf.org/~rulnak/Pictures/RaceWar/PataPaw3.jpg
http://bloodwolf.org/~rulnak/Pictures/RaceWar/PataKick.jpg
http://bloodwolf.org/~rulnak/Pictures/RaceWar/PawInside7.jpg
http://bloodwolf.org/~rulnak/Pictures/RaceWar/PawInside8.jpg
http://bloodwolf.org/~rulnak/Pictures/RaceWar/PawInside1.jpg
http://bloodwolf.org/~rulnak/Pictures/RaceWar/PawInside4.jpg
http://bloodwolf.org/~rulnak/Pictures/RaceWar/PawInside9.jpg
http://bloodwolf.org/~rulnak/Pictures/RaceWar/PawInside6.jpg
http://bloodwolf.org/~rulnak/Pictures/RaceWar/PawOutside4.jpg
http://bloodwolf.org/~rulnak/Pictures/RaceWar/PawOutside7.jpg
http://bloodwolf.org/~rulnak/Pictures/RaceWar/PawGroup6.jpg
http://bloodwolf.org/~rulnak/Pictures/Companions/Vemon1.jpg
http://bloodwolf.org/~rulnak/Pictures/Companions/Vemon2.jpg
http://bloodwolf.org/~rulnak/Pictures/Branthara/DaughterOfTheNorth/Campfire.jpg
http://web.archive.org/web/20020225082556/www.eqguide.com/photos/zixxnenix.jpg
http://web.archive.org/web/20011007034058im_/http://st.sakura.ne.jp/~neko/eq/eq28.jpg
http://web.archive.org/web/20000613070049/http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~yaji/eq11.jpg
http://web.archive.org/web/20020617074556/http://homepage1.nifty.com/lap/eq/sshot/EQ000256.jpg (screenshot of Ghanex Drah fight with skels and zombies)
http://web.archive.org/web/20010515104819im_/http://www3.wind.ne.jp/DENZI/DENZI/UO-NIKKI/990515-1.jpg (metal gate area, the one everyone gets stuck on)
http://web.archive.org/web/20010515104819im_/http://www3.wind.ne.jp/DENZI/DENZI/UO-NIKKI/990515-2.jpg (metal gate area pt.2, now with corpses courtesy of Zixx)
http://web.archive.org/web/20000504171558im_/http://homepage1.nifty.com/tdf/tanyan/2/9906223.jpg (small shot of a train of gnolls)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu_NTRDgIug&t=108s (Video screenshot slideshow with paw screenshot, 2x noble and high shaman, in room)
http://web.archive.org/web/20200618112025/http://www.moemoe.gr.jp/~yourtoy/onlinerpg/images/eq990825b.jpg (Kurrpock Splitpaw fight, Aug 1999)
https://web.archive.org/web/20020308120015/http://users.rosenet.net/lupin/EQshots/gnltrn.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/4qtpvQH.jpg (promo screen from early beta)
https://i.imgur.com/YXfJ8xw.jpg (promo screen from early beta)
https://i.imgur.com/vXLKLjm.jpg (promo screen from early beta)
https://i.imgur.com/Ad4Ofro.jpg (promo screen from early beta)
http://web.archive.org/web/20050321085450im_/https://www.wingedmammal.com/action_photos_1999/gelatinous_cube.jpg (fighting the Gelatinous Cube in the jail area)
https://web.archive.org/web/20030501185817/www30.tok2.com/home/redbug/eq/photo/d12img15.jpg (killing the two side-by-side nobles on the way to the Phido area)
http://web.archive.org/web/20031124074857/www.azug.gr.jp/~ryu-m/nikki/99/rex_room.jpg (looking up the stairs at Phido/Rex's room)
https://giantbomb1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/1/14259/470050-eq015.sized.jpg (low level group hanging around in the spiky pit room outside the Phido area)
http://web.archive.org/web/20001028013847if_/http://members.home.net:80/lore1/images/gnoll_splitpaw.jpg (splitpaw gnoll in one of the bedrooms near the entrance)
https://github.com/dbsanfte/eq-archives/blob/master/screenshots/classic_paw/E5Uk8Lf.png (Kurrpok Splitpaw)
https://github.com/dbsanfte/eq-archives/blob/master/screenshots/classic_paw/FEgxkFC.png (High Shaman Phido with aggro message)
https://github.com/dbsanfte/eq-archives/blob/master/screenshots/classic_paw/NlH9NyQ.png (Zixx Nenix in fight with spell)
https://github.com/dbsanfte/eq-archives/blob/master/screenshots/classic_paw/ZeSJgc1.png (Ghanex the Resurrected fight)
https://github.com/dbsanfte/eq-archives/blob/master/screenshots/classic_paw/hkaQtUA.png (High shaman Grisok in his room)
https://github.com/dbsanfte/eq-archives/blob/master/screenshots/classic_paw/p9J14bh.png (High Shaman Phido in his room, and bat death)
https://github.com/dbsanfte/eq-archives/blob/master/screenshots/classic_paw/sMW0Meo.png (Zixx Nenix in fight with spell)
https://github.com/dbsanfte/eq-archives/blob/master/screenshots/classic_paw/vJoTef2.png (Ghanex the Resurrected with aggro message)
https://github.com/dbsanfte/eq-archives/blob/master/screenshots/classic_paw/uoimySv.png (Zixx Nenix death message and faction hits)
All Known Classic Maps of Infected Paw
There are two versions. One is based on the original Hop map with original spawn points (thank God we have this).
The second is a very incomplete Everlore map that I trust a lot less.
https://www.steveprutz.com/eq/images/splitpaw_hop.gif
https://www.steveprutz.com/eq/images/splitpaw_hop_invectus.jpg
https://www.steveprutz.com/eq/images/splitpaw_hop_lifebane.jpg
Edit: I have found another version, by the Japanese Questor of Norrath guy, which I believe is very accurate:
https://web.archive.org/web/20210610124225/https://metabrain.tripod.com/ant_map/InfectedPaw.jpg
Full Spawn Dump of Infected Paw
I was able to locate a full spawn dump of the zone from late 1999, with mob counts. These line up very well, although not quite exactly, with the spawns on Hop's map. Most notably, it would seem the front area before the double doors had lower level gnolls, but the map doesn't make this distinction.
Note that the Count is zero-based, like the EQ mob names. A 0 means there was 1 instance of the mob in the zone, ie a_large_snake00.
https://www.project1999.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3073391&postcount=2
| Zone | NPC Name | Count | LowHP | HighHP | Low Lvl | High Lvl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| paw | a_bat | 3 | 16 | 16 | 1 | 1 |
| paw | gnoll_prisoner | 1 | 28 | 68 | 2 | 4 |
| paw | Ghanex_Drah00_pet | 0 | 70 | 70 | 4 | 4 |
| paw | a_gnoll | 10 | 80 | 210 | 4 | 9 |
| paw | a_large_snake | 0 | 80 | 120 | 4 | 6 |
| paw | a_Splitpaw_gnoll | 47 | 80 | 180 | 4 | 8 |
| paw | a_skeleton | 1 | 100 | 100 | 5 | 5 |
| paw | a_Splitpaw_guard | 16 | 140 | 249 | 6 | 10 |
| paw | a_zombie | 1 | 150 | 150 | 6 | 6 |
| paw | a_giant_snake | 11 | 170 | 210 | 7 | 9 |
| paw | a_gnoll_shaman | 0 | 141 | 162 | 8 | 9 |
| paw | a_Splitpaw_shaman | 11 | 141 | 183 | 8 | 10 |
| paw | a_Splitpaw_noble | 14 | 250 | 309 | 10 | 12 |
| paw | Gelatinous_Cube | 0 | 310 | 350 | 12 | 14 |
| paw | a_Splitpaw_commander | 2 | 330 | 350 | 12 | 13 |
| paw | Brother_Gruff | 0 | 280 | 300 | 14 | 15 |
| paw | Shaman_Lenrel | 0 | 280 | 280 | 14 | 14 |
| paw | Ghanex_Drah | 0 | 225 | 245 | 15 | 16 |
| paw | a_Splitpaw_captain | 0 | 430 | 448 | 15 | 16 |
| paw | Shaman_Ren`Rex | 0 | 455 | 490 | 15 | 17 |
| paw | Ghanex_Drah_pet | 0 | 420 | 420 | 16 | 16 |
| paw | High_Shaman_Grisok | 0 | 490 | 490 | 17 | 17 |
| paw | Brother_Hayle | 0 | 884 | 884 | 24 | 24 |
Zone Guides to Infected Paw
EQClerics Zone Guide
Tired of fighting undead? Need a change of pace from Faydwer. Come to the balmy South Karanas and visit the canine environs of the Infected Paw. Hang out with those lovable puppies Ren Rexx and Phido. Have a "charm"ing conversation with that dark elf Zixx Nenix. See the awesome spectacles of the mighty Hill Giants, the majestic Griffins (as they chase you to the zone line at the bridge), or the terrible Cyclops (as they chase you back to the other side). Hail Lord Grimrot and ask him for help with those putrid skeletons (yep, did that one too). Learn the shorelines of North and West Karanas and the rolling beauty of the Qeynos Hills (as you run back to Paw to from Qeynos to recover your corpse). (End of advertisement) While I would hardly call this dungeon a Cleric's Paradise it was a lot of fun, was generally empty (maybe 10-15 players most nights during prime-time) and has a few sought after items: the Runed Totem Staff (+5 hps, +5 mana, 9/37) and various pieces of Snakeskin Armor (jerkins are AC9, +5 resist poison, gloves +3 dex, etc). After dealing with the sometimes crowded Befallen (can be bad when 20 out of 30 players are on level 2), it was a refreshing change of pace. We started with just a 15 warrior, 14 ranger, and 15 cleric. Our group has expanded to 3 rangers (two 15, one 14), a wizard (13), the warrior and cleric (finally both 16). I much prefer this dungeon with a large party. While most individual fights are easy (with the exception of some of the boss mobs), things do have a way of accumulating and after a while numbers of mobs do matter. It also forced us to refine our tactics, or should I say finally deploy some? By applying the tips I've gathered here in Paw we have become a much better team. For the vast majority of the dungeon we were too high a level to benefit experience-wise. I really wish I had hit the place at about level 12 or 13. The experience would have been great at that level. At 15, it took over a week to level, but a lot of that is of course dictated by many factors (number of players, someone dying, etc). I think with the experience we now have of the place we could do it in about three nights, but the conditions would have to be optimal - a good group and an empty dungeon. The dog-kennel: Gnolls: There are low-level gnolls scattered throughout the dungeon. They ignored us with the rare exception of one tagging someone while meditating. I'd guess their levels to be 5 - 7 (based upon the levels of some of the low level players I saw playing with them). Loot: Not sure about loot; never bothered to loot one. Guards: Next up on the barking order are the guards. These must hover around 10. I say this because about 1 out of 4 would attack me from behind; most did ignore me. Once I hit 16 not one guard took a swing. I've read that their is a 5 level break-off where hostile monsters ignore you. That could be it. Loot: Sometimes gold, rusty weapons, cloth armor. At a lower level I wouldn't have passed them up, but one issue with Paw is because it is so far from a bank (nearest are Qeynos and Rivervale - Rivervale not the easiest run) I was always very picky with what I kept. I never kept rustys for example. Shamans: I believe they were also around level 10. Every shaman I saw was green to me at 15; the 14th level player said he occasionally came across a blue one. When alone they are not difficult; however, they are rarely alone. You usually find multiple shamans with a guard or two. They are also often linked to higher level mobs (e.g. nobles, captains, and high-shamans) whom they buff and heal (minor heals). Our group of three had little trouble wiping out four simultaneously along with a guard or two. Loot: Mostly the same as guards with the added bonus of the occasional wooden-totem. These are little dolls one equips in a weapon spot. They confer +5 mana. I'm not sure what they are worth; rumor has it maybe 2 plat from a player. Nobles: These guys must average around level 12. Most of them were blue to me; occasionally I would run across a greenie. These are the first serious mobs for teen-level groups. They are never alone; there is always another noble or shaman, sometimes with a guard. They are also sometimes guards for higher-level mobs (the high shamans). Loot: Snakeskin armor is what one kills nobles for. We obtained it about 1/10 or so mobs. Captain/Commander: Spank these puppies first. They are level 13/14 and they hit hard. The captain hangs out with two nobles in the Lenrel area and has a shaman for backup. The commanders hang out with Ren Rex. Depending upon the spawn you can catch the commanders solo. I'd recommend you try unless you have a good group. Loot: Same as nobles. High Shamans: These are Ren Rex, Lenrel, Grisok and Phido (who naked their dog Grisok?). Rex and Lenrel ranged from levels 14-16 (blue to yellow). Grisok and Phido were invariably red to me at 15. Rex (and Phido) typically has a commander and a shaman in the room with him. Lenrel (and Grisok) has a noble and a shaman. Otherwise, the fights were not too difficult. Loot: They drop the aforementioned Runed Totem Staff. The staffs are pretty rare spawns. For seven nights we picked up no staffs after downing countless incarnations of Lenrel. We get one on a Saturday night. On Sunday night we pick up three (two in a row off Lenrel). Sometimes you get lucky :). Also, the heads are needed for one of the monk quests. Ghanex Drah: This is a (usually) level 16 Gnoll Necro. His pet would usually be white also. Also in the room would be two skeletons and two zombies guard the door. It is normally possible to take the zombies out first before engaging the rest of the room. Loot: He drops random items. We have recovered a number of bronze spears from him. Also, I got extraordinarily lucky and got a Polished Bone Hoop earring which is +10 mana. He also leaves behind a head. Zixx Nenix: He's a dark-elf necro whose level must be at least 20. His pet was red to me at 15 (four of us could take the pet, but not an easy fight). Generally if you saw him the best thing to do would be run. He does cast Charm in addition to other nasty things. One time the whole dungeon ganged on him, but it took over 10 players (of our level) to drop him. He charmed a few of the higher levels during the fight to keep things interesting. Fortunately he is a rare spawn. Loot: Good question, maybe one day I'll find out. I could go into some specific tactics for the rooms, but the main thing to keep in mind is let nothing escape. If the dungeon is not being constantly swept by players (which is rare, some nights are party of 6 were the only ones in - PRIME TIME HOURS) the mobs will return with shamans healing them and guards to help. If I had ever questioned the value of root, Paw made a believer out of me. I hope this provides some value to those of you interested in a different place. It was fun to write up.
EQAtlas Zone Guide
SPLITPAW Location: In the center of the Southern Plains of Karana Adjacent Zones: Southern Plains of Karana Level of Monsters: 8-15+ Types of Monsters: Gnolls, Splitpaw Gnolls, Splitpaw Gnoll Guards, Splitpaw Gnoll Shamans, Giant Snakes, Skeletons, Zombies, Gelatinous Cube Notable NPC's: several named Shamans, captured Brother Unique Items: Runed Totem Staves, Giant Snake Fangs Description Splitpaw is the home of the Splitpaw clan of gnolls. Splitpaw is the site where in gnoll legend, their god set his foot upon the earth, and the surface markings are his footprint. Nobody knows if this is true, but hunters in Southern Karana know the three talons rising from the ground that mark the entrance to the lair. Dangers This is a dungeon for middle level characters, and the difficulty of the dungeon scales relatively slowly from the entrance to the deeper parts of the dungeon. The front entrance is occupied by 6th level gnolls, and their level increases as you get further in, so that by the time you reach the back of the first level, they are about 9th-10th level. The main danger in this dungeon, as in Blackburrow, is training. The trains here are not huge Blackburrow trains, but little mini-trains where the local gnolls decide to help out their buddies. Starting at the entrance, almost all of the gnolls are with a partner at least, and so you have to be able to take on two 6th level gnolls if you even want to walk in the front door (which is why the level is listed starting at 8 above). Gnolls, like all the half-sentient evil humanoids, have a tendency to flee. Since they have a fair number of hit points and are really chickens, they can make it quite far while fleeing, which makes it so that you have more gnolls joining in than you care to have. If you are from a class who can snare or root, or are in a group and have some leeway, then you can start hunting at low-level. Otherwise, I'd avoid it until you hit about 9th or 10th level. There is also a problem because in certain areas you will be attacking gnolls thinking there is nobody nearby, and some gnoll will come running around the corner. This is a "feature" of EQ where creatures can tell you are attacking their buddy despite walls being between you and them. This is of special importance at the small room on the other side of the first bridge. There are usually a few gnolls here, and are relatively easy to take (if you've made it this far, you can take them). The danger is that around the corner and through a gate lies a Splitpaw Guard, who will come running if he is close enough, and is a level or two higher then these gnolls. Basically, if you hear the chains rattling, turn and run. Also be aware that there are some high level shamans in the lower levels, as well as a high level necromancer at the back of the upper level. These dudes are evil, especially the necro, cuz you don't know he's around (unless you can track) until you open the door to the room he's in and his pets come after you. Not fun... There aren't really any other unique dangers to Splitpaw. If you know group monster management and how not to train, then you can get by well. The only other problem with the zone is that it's a long walk from Qeynos or Highhold Pass. If you can get bound in Arena, that would help. Benefits Splitpaw is, by far, one of my favorite zones to hunt in. How many times have I been in there and found more than ten other people hunting in there? None. This makes the zone a dream come true. It is one of the least hunted zones in the game, probably because it's far away from merchants and towns. If you can handle the walk, however, this zone is for you. The gnolls are pretty easy to handle, given that you are careful.At higher levels (like 11th or so) you have your run of almost the entire upper level, which is nice. You can choose who to fight and when, and go sit amongst the lower level gnolls to rest and meditate. This has also got some great Giant Snake Fang hunting, as the snakes spawn fairly regularly and are easy to get to. The above ground area of Splitpaw is also a nice area to hunt at a lower level. The gnolls are fairly spread out and walk around (but not too much). This is a little bit easier for you if you can't make it past the first room of Splitpaw because of the gnoll grouping. Not much else to say about this zone. It's nice, uncontested, simple hunting. My only wish is a closer merchant cuz you will get so bogged down with goods that you wind up throwing out rusty weapons like crazy. I found a bug where your money wraps back to zero once you hit 500 of them by hunting in this zone. Sad... Travelling To and From Splitpaw There is only one way to get to Splitpaw, and that is by entering Southern Plains of Karana and travelling to the center. When you see the three bloody claws sticking up from the earth, pass in between them. In what would be the center of the paw, there is a small dark hole facing the claws that is the entrance to Splitpaw. This is easy to miss if you've never seen in before (and the first time I mapped Southern Karana in the beta, I walked over this and never saw it), so keep your eyes peeled, it's there somewhere.
Japanese Zone Guide
Dungeon Difficulty: Low Minimum Level: 6-7 Recommended Level Style: Party Solo play around 12: Possible (at least Lv7 where you want). Hunting splittpaw gnoll at party around Lv6 seems to be more efficient. Spawns: splitpaw gnoll (Lv5 ~ Lv8 ) gnoll (Lv6 ~ Lv8 ) gnoll noble (around Lv10 ) gnoll commander (Lv unknown) gnoll shaman (Lv unknown) gnoll captain (Lv12 ~ 15) high shaman Ren Rex (Lv unknown) giant snake ( Lv5) ~ Lv7) It is the home of white Gnolls who are personally lovely. The level is almost the same as BB, but the number of PCs is small. You can control a full party around Lv12 ~ 13. Attention should be paid to the fact that trains can easily occur during solo play (too many enemies). There is a big snake span, which is almost monopolized. In addition, since the various places are connected by waterways (some places pass through underwater holes), it is possible to train swimming skills (bitter smile) The highlight of this is the totem staff from high shaman Ren Rex. In the Rex room, Rex, commander, and shaman appear in a set of three, and in the room next to it, the commander and shaman span the set. There is a place where two nobles are spanning in the immediate vicinity, so if you hunt in order, you can earn a lot. However, fierce competition has been intensifying recently with staff-targeting PCs, and it is not so delicious. It seems that there is another necro room, but I haven't gone there (because I die (laughs)), and if the level rises over time, I will completely conquer it.
EQBards Mailing List Zone Guide
Friday, May 21, 1999 5:48:06 AM My friends... many of you are asking for great places to hunt, and so I woulod like to make a single recommendatin that I KNOW will work. Starting at Level 12, go to Paw. You won't regret it. I got enough loot AND experience there (at the same time) to stay there from Level 13 to until I got Level 19. And on Fenin Ro there is NEVER anyone there (2 people at 8:00 in the evening one night, amazing). Before I describe the place let me just say that I finished my banded set at Level 14, and finished my bronze platemail set at Level 18. I bought my first combine longsword at Level 15, and my second at Level 17. I still have 200 plat left over. And this was all solo. Buy about 4 backpacks, you'll need them. Paw is the home of the Splitpaw Gnolls. You can find it by heading directly south when you cross into S Karana from the Bridge from N Karana. You will in time see hills and some rock spires that look like a Paw. There is a cave which leads to the zone entrance. At the entrance you will find Gnolls. Probably Level 8-10 or so. Most will ignore you. Eventually you will meet guards... which you can easily solo, and for good exp. They are level 10-12 maybe. They may have cloth armor. Keep it. They may have rusty weapons. Get used to destroying them, not worth their weight. You will also find Shamans. These are pretty weak, also about level 10-12. They carry much better loot. Keep gems, they are lightweight and valuable. The wooden totems sell for a plat a piece. The only weapon you should keep is the occasional cracked staff, which also sell for 1 plat. Eventually, you will be able to take nobles. They are Level 13-15. They carry cloth, gems, but also Snakeskin Armor, which sells for about 7 plat for each piece to other players. After that, you will find there are two big rooms which are often camped and which you should camp if you can. One room has three nobles, one Captain (Level 16) and High Shaman Lenrel (Level 16 or 17). Lenrel carries a Runed Totem Staff sometimes. Those sell for about 30 plat to other players. The other room has two nobles, three commanders (Level 15 or 16), and High Shaman Ren'Rex. Rex also drops a staff from time to time. Captains and commanders drop snakeskin often. Use your lull song ALL the time. There is a place with 4 shamans and 2 guards that I basically lived for two levels. I would lull up to 4 of em and take the other two one at a time. Worked great. The real kicker? Gnolls hate water. They won't swim after you to try to kill you. And almost everywhere is close enough to water to get there before you die. So trouble does not mean death. There are some other secret places, and other things you will figure out (some monk quests as well). But this should be good enough. Oh, and get used to being encumbered. Yes you can carry about 50 over your weight limit and still win every fight again things that con blue. Good luck! -Musil
EQ 'Secrets' Thread Zone Commentary
Sources:
https://www.oocities.org/theroyalnorrathianguard/rok9.html
https://www.oocities.org/theroyalnorrathianguard/rok8.html
https://www.oocities.org/theroyalnorrathianguard/rok7.html
https://www.oocities.org/theroyalnorrathianguard/rok6.html
There is a lot of fanciful stuff here, I'm not sure I believe most of it, but what's interesting is the comment that there were bats in the big room in the underwater tunnel area. This is helpful.
Also some special text for Kurrpok (he is mistakenly called Tranixx in the comment).
MrSmity Station Member posted 12-20-1999 10:51 PM I began playing EQ when it went retail, and let me tell you something quiet interesting I had stumbled across way back during my 14th level. Around this time Blackburrow was a heavily hunted zone of sometimes more than 80+ people somewhat like Lower Guk is today. So as I was on my way to Blackburrow an OOC caught my eye saying something like this "Looking for more members to hunt PAW with, great exp and awsome loots!" PAW? the dungeon known as Splitpaw, I had never been there before and all I knew of were that it was very far away and carried some valuable treasures. So I ventured with this group into PAW, 2 of the members seemed to already know the dungeon fairly well, and mentioned that we will be camping a 'secret' room for RTSs, which were worth 40-50pp at the time. These 2 individuals asked the rest of us to keep this room a secret, for it could become a heavily camped spot and ruin the value of RTSs. Until this posting I have kept the secret, but now that PAW has been revamped and RTSs are of little value, I want to share with you what I had seen with my own eyes along with, by the end 4 other individuals whos names I cannot recall. After what seemed like a very long run at the time, we reached PAW. Upon entering the zone we came into a massive train of gnolls; and had to zone right back out. So then the leader of this hunt a wizard, casted see invis and invis spells on all of us, and back into PAW we went. He stated "Follow me closely and quick before our invis runs out". I wish I had better knowledge of the dungeon, but eventually we came to a pool of water that maybe took up half the room. On first glance, and inspection of this pool it appears to be shallow and have nothing to it; but there is a small drop in which you can swim down a bit further and discover a deep tunnel. The drop in the water is a bit difficult to find at first so you had to look around carefully. This tunnel was long and almost took all of my natural breath to swim through, and upon comming out of the water we were in what the wizard called the secret room. Now here is where the 2nd person in command came into play, a rogue whos name I barely remember as being Zparad. The wizard questioned Zaparad something like this, "Do you think, you will be able to pick open the chest?" Zaparad; responded with a clear "yes". So into this secret room we wondered into at first there are two way to go, one way which leads into a dead end room with some poisonus snakes, and another which lead into a large chamber with bats, gnoll generals? (I belive) and a gnoll high shaman (holds the RTS). After about 5 minutes of carefully plotting an attack plan, we charged the room. Unfortunetlly one of the members died and went LD Im assuming because he dropped the group right upon death (don't know if he ever came for his corpse or not). The wizard claimed first to recive an RTS and we all agreed since we would all profit from his secret. Now I know Im really dragging on here but, hey I like to chat, what can I say? Now this is where things got really interesting. In this room layed a treasure chest. At the time I didn't think they could be opened. Yet, this rogue proved me wrong when she picked the lock on the chest open. This was the wizards main purpose on comming down here as it appeared to me the following day. He wanted to know what was in that chest. Anyway the rogue said something along the lines of; "blackburrow key?!? whats this crap?" The wizard then replied "i have some good ideas as to what this is lets go try it out people." Well, there went our groups chances of cashing in today. Anyway upon leaving PAW we came across one nasty mean darkelf necro, killed one of our members near the zone, but luckily the rest of us managed to escaped. So onto Blackburrow we went, and with the remaining group members we came down into the snake pit, where a big unopenable door is. Well, the rogue tried the key and to our suprise it did not work (BTW, do not know if this is of any importance but the key was No Drop). The wizard seemed quiet frustrated at this and said, for us to follow him because he had one last idea. Im not very good about directions but there is an area some ways in blackburrow on the lower levels that also has a big unopenable door and beside it a small passage you can slip through too. Well, again the rogue tried the key in this door and the wizards delight it opened. Upon entering there was a short narrow hallway were 2 commanders stood. We quickly took them out and moved on a little further and came across an even narrower passage which when we walked some ways warped us back a couple steps. Very, very odd we thought maybe it was bug or something at the time. After that day I never really thought much about it until I saw the mentionings of a lower blackburrow on this message board. I really want to get a rogue and grab that key again, but now that the dungeon is 30+ it would take a large group, and who knows whats in that room now.
DurKhan
Station Member posted 12-21-1999 09:09 AM
MrSmity, In a minute I would like to address some more info from you, but let me start with this (and all this is before Paw update):
Ok, so he blew the Paw secret King's room. I have been going there since beta because so few people knew of it. In this secret room you come up through
the underwater cave. This place is a death trap if things start going badly for you, don't even try running.
Anyway, the first room you swim up to leads to 3 other rooms. Left is a few snakes, right is a door and 3 gnoll nobles in a small room,
straight is a very small maze like room.
In the room to the right with the 3 nobles, there is a switch on the wall. I have spent hours trying to figure out what it does, it
does something, you hear something opening. Any one have any idea?
Ok, back to the larger room straight ahead. And this one has caused many deaths haha! Here you have various gnoll shamans, high shamans, and nobles.
Here is where things get tricky, and I think very few people know this. King Splitpaw can be found here, usually in the back corner of this room
every now and then. Basicly, Splitpaw is a big puss, not much better than the other High Shaman in the area.
However! When you kill King Splitpaw (not his actual name, its x Splitpaw, can't remember the first name) Nixx spawns. Nixx is this bad ass Dark
Elf Necro. What is odd is before he attacks the person who killed Splitpaw, he says something like "Give me the heart of (something)".
About 5 seconds later you are either dead or charmed killing everyone in Paw. I once killed my whole group, another group, and a few stragglers
haha. Was sickly fun.
Anyway, that is who that Dark Elf is, he spawns as soon as the King dies, who ya'll killed for the RTS.
I really want to know what the switch is, and what it is Nixx wants, cause he gives you a little time to respond, then he gets pissed.
As far as a key, I have yet to see it, but there are chests around there i have seen.
I have a personal love for killing gnolls, and would like to unravel any and all mysteries about them. I really want to see Lower Blackburrow
again! And yes, talking to a friend he has seen the gnoll King of BB. I sadly didn't, I hauled ass.
Jaala_Daysooth Station Member posted 12-21-1999 11:12 AM Ahh, I love this thread; I have been following it for quite some time now and it always proves to be an interesting read... The gnoll you speak of is called Kurrpok Splitpaw, and he carries a ruby pendant which is part of the quest to create the jewelled skull. As you say, Nixx is quite deadly. When I was level 26, I and a level 22 friend I was with managed to kill him, but with barely any fight left in us. As far as I can tell, he carries nothing special. I wonder if he would be amiable to a Dark Elf or other evil race and you could talk to him and get a quest? I am a Ranger of Kelethin, and dark elves and I tend to get on each other's nerves a bit. I'm interested in the apparent connection between Paw and Blackburrow. I'll have to bring a rogue down there and see if the key is still there now that Paw has seen another gnoll clan move in...
XblazerX Station Member posted 12-27-1999 07:24 PM In regards to the eye in Paw. I dont think the preserved eye will do it. However, there is an area in Paw which contains 2 Judges and an Executioner. Tranixx Splitpaw is also there in the middle of it. If you watch this scene, you can see that Tranixx is being put on trial for his failure to properly lead the gnolls. Tranixx always carried a ruby eye for the jeweled skull quest, and when you attacked him he would yell something like "Youll never take my eye!" Try that instead.
Spawn Areas Info
Ghanex Drah Area
Ghanex Drah's room had him on the far wall with two skeletons next to him, and two zombies guarding the door. There were no other mobs here, and the back alcove with the beds was empty.
Ghanex the Resurrected
When killed, Ghanex Drah would spawn a gnoll reaver in the back room named Ghanex the Resurrected, level 18:
https://github.com/dbsanfte/eq-archives/blob/master/screenshots/classic_paw/ZeSJgc1.png
https://github.com/dbsanfte/eq-archives/blob/master/screenshots/classic_paw/vJoTef2.png
EQClerics Zone Guide Account
This is a (usually) level 16 Gnoll Necro. His pet would usually be white also. Also in the room would be two skeletons and two zombies guard the door. It is normally possible to take the zombies out first before engaging the rest of the room.
EQBards Mailing List Account
Past this place was another section that was a maze of walls that once you found you way to the back was on of the big dungeon bosses G'hanex Drah - bad necro gnoll. Wonder if the new bosses are staged here. He was guarded by zombies that would agro on you through closed doors and agro the whole room.
https://github.com/dbsanfte/eq-archives/blob/master/mailing-lists/eqbards/html/12158.html
The Alcove in the Back was Empty
This guy is discussing the Revamped Paw and the changes to Ghanex Drah's room, versus how it used to be:
Just becareful of the former Gnoll Necro room ( the guy who used to have some crappy dagger, forgot his name) since there are about 4mobs in the alcove that used to be empty.
The little alcove in the back of Ghanex Drah's room with the beds was otherwise empty (until Ghanex the Resurrected spawned).
https://web.archive.org/web/20000302082100/http://www.soerbaird.com/forums/Forum60/HTML/001612.html
Spawn rareness
It seems from multiple accounts that Ghanex Drah was a regular spawn with no ph.
Ghanex is a regular spawn as far as I can tell, or at least he has been there every single time I felt like killing him =)
https://github.com/dbsanfte/eq-archives/blob/master/mailing-lists/EQ-Monks/html/214.html
Well after many hours in Paw, I have done this quest. You just have to keep killing Ren'Rexx eventually phido does spawn.... The other two heads come from Ghanex Drah who is a normal spawn, and the third comes from killing High Shaman Grisok who is a random spawn for Shaman Lenrel... I got Ghanex Drah's head easily, it took around 7 hours (non-consecitvly) of fighting till I got the other two heads, as a coincidence both Grisok and Phido spawned at the same time (was killing all three in a circle)
https://github.com/dbsanfte/eq-archives/blob/master/mailing-lists/EQ-Monks/html/213.html
Phido/Ren`Rex Area
Phido was the rare spawn, Ren`Rex was the common. Accounts place the rareness at about 1 in 10.
There seems to have been a bug where sometimes Phido and Rex would both spawn simultaneously, on top of each other. This is mentioned on the Hop map ('sometimes Phido shows up to help Ren`Rex') and I've seen it in a few posts too. I don't see how EQEmu supports this so if this were to be done I think it'd have to be some special Perl script or something.
EQBards Account
The other room has two nobles, three commanders (Level 15 or 16), and High Shaman Ren'Rex.
EQClerics Account
Rex (and Phido) typically has a commander and a shaman in the room with him.
Spawn Rareness
Well after many hours in Paw, I have done this quest. You just have to keep killing Ren'Rexx eventually phido does spawn.... The other two heads come from Ghanex Drah who is a normal spawn, and the third comes from killing High Shaman Grisok who is a random spawn for Shaman Lenrel... I got Ghanex Drah's head easily, it took around 7 hours (non-consecitvly) of fighting till I got the other two heads, as a coincidence both Grisok and Phido spawned at the same time (was killing all three in a circle)
https://github.com/dbsanfte/eq-archives/blob/master/mailing-lists/EQ-Monks/html/213.html
(Dolalin: I would argue that Phido and Grisok were both 1 in 10 rareness from these accounts)
Lenrel/Grisok Area
Grisok was the rare spawn, Lenrel was the common. Accounts place the rareness at about 1 in 10.
EQBards Account
One room has three nobles, one Captain (Level 16) and High Shaman Lenrel (Level 16 or 17). Lenrel carries a Runed Totem Staff sometimes.
EQClerics Account
Lenrel (and Grisok) has a noble and a shaman.
Spawn Rareness
From this account, it seems the spawn rate for the High Shamans was about 1 in 10:
Phido spawns anywhere from every 5 to every 15 Ren spawns. It is a long and frustrating camp, especially if you waited too long like I did and get almost no experience from killing those foul beasts. It took me a total of 8 - 9 hours last Saturday to get 2 Dareb heads (I had a monk friend with me who needed all 3). I recommend that you do this in stages if you are like me and hate camping. Spend a day getting Dareb's head, then come back in a week or so and spend a day getting Shen's head. Ghanex is a regular spawn as far as I can tell, or at least he has been there every single time I felt like killing him =)
https://github.com/dbsanfte/eq-archives/blob/master/mailing-lists/EQ-Monks/html/214.html
Kurrpok Area
Kurrpok spawned in the Ishva Mal room after the underwater passage, and seems to have had both 'a gnoll high shaman' and 'a Splitpaw shaman' placeholders. I'm unsure on rarity. Would probably put it the same as Grisok / Phido, namely 1 in 10 for Kurrpok, and split between the other two, if no other evidence can be found.
When aggroed he would say "You'll never take my eye!" based on a comment in the EQ Secrets thread. When he died he'd say "You'll never have my eye...", from this newsgroup post: https://groups.google.com/g/alt.games.everquest/c/hCfbXSwCfQg/m/XQbdFhM6T-sJ
On his death, he spawns Zixx Nenix in the first cavern of the underwater area, near the water, who then blocks the exit.
First Account
Kurrpok does indeed exist he only appears in the secret chamber in splitpaw. Ill leave it up to you to find it. Once you get there there will be 2 doors one with 3 elites and another with a small room with 2 elites and a larger chamber with a high shaman. Before you do anything kill the 3 elites,look around the room and you'll see a lever Pull it Now go back to the large chamber and youll see Kurrpok has taken the place of the high shaman Go ahead and kill him but its not over yet the fun part is just beginning. Once you exit the room you'll see a dark elf necro npc and his pet blocking your exit. His name is Zixx Nenix and killing Kurrpok triggers his spawn. Be warned he is one mean SOB. I hope this helps i know more info could've been given but i dont want to spoil everything for you Good luck and have fun
https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.games.everquest/rqkWmH6SRN4/0FgknwsdNGMJ
Second Account
I assume he means the underwater passage which leads to 2 rooms, first with 3 NOBLES, not elites. And the larger room with 5 or so Nobles and 3 Shaman, and SUPPOSEDLY 1 High Shaman. I have never seen the High Shaman down here, nor have I seen a lever. But if Drow Nixx does spawn once the Splitpaw is killed, that would be trouble for all players in the zone. I know his pet is level 20 or so, and Nixx is probably level 25+.
https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.games.everquest/rqkWmH6SRN4/q2DFnB55eScJ
Third Account
There is an area in Paw the is accessable only though a not to visible underwater passage, near where Ren Rex the High Shaman spawns. Swiming though there brings you to nice little underwater area that is like a goldmine sometimes. I leave there with 4-8 peices of Snakeskin sometimes. Spirit Pouch Rules! In one area down here there are giant snakes. In another there are four nobles and a switch on the wall. I think I read that if you pull the switch while there is a High Shaman in the other room (ever notice the trap? blades by the entrance? what triggers it?) then a named gnoll Dagnor Splitpaw or something. And then if you kill this gnoll Nixx appears. Dunno!?
(Dolalin: This means, I think, that the supposedly "empty" room on the Hop map down near Kurrpok had giant snakes in it. I saw another reference to this too.)
https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.games.everquest/hCfbXSwCfQg/xzLrwzuAwzAJ
Fourth Account
This is pretty authoritative and establishes that Kurrpok spawned in the Ishva Mal room with both a high shaman and regular shaman ph:
Yes he spawns in that area... in the room that has some boxes. There are 4 spawn points there and he shares one of them with a shaman and high shaman. Only way i ever see him spawn is kill everything down there constantly... Probably all ya gotta do it keep killing the shaman or high shaman that spawn in his place until he spawns.
More on the Giant Snake room
He does exist, and he spawns in the area underneath the water where the nobles and shamans spawn (next to a giant snake room).
https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.games.everquest/rqkWmH6SRN4/rCSZn-2t-AoJ
And from the EQ Secrets thread:
Anyway, the first room you swim up to leads to 3 other rooms. Left is a few snakes, right is a door and 3 gnoll nobles in a small room, straight is a very small maze like room.
(Dolalin: This seems to seal the deal - the empty room near Kurrpok on the Hop map had giant snakes in it.)
Spawn Location and Rareness
The Hop map has him spawning in the bottom-right corner of the big room underground. And indeed there is a screenshot in the list of Kurrpok being fought directly on this point.
The Hop map technically refers to this spawn point as 'high shaman gnoll'. Other reports from the newsgroups (e.g., 2nd account, above) tell that the high shaman was not always there, and another account tells that this mob could also be a regular Splitpaw shaman.
Now, we do know that Kurrpok had at least one placeholder:
Zixx Nenix is a 25 dark elf wizard. in the OLD splitpaw dungeon, he would instaspawn the moment Kurrpok Splitpaw was killed (kurrpok himself had a placeholder too, killing the placeholder didnt spawn zixx). Anyway i used to hang out in the old paw to look for clues on the gnoll slayer quest, and once i hit 32 and figured out the whole spawn setup, i started soloing zixx nenix for exp and loot.
In the Noble area reached through the underwater tunnel is a room with a lever. behind this room is an area with 2 rooms full of nobles, the one directly behind the switch spawns a few nobles and a shaman. where the shaman spawns is where kurpok spawns. i was told that throwing the swich has something to do with kurpok spawning. I threw the switch both before and after clearing the room and he showed both times so it might be true, not sure. Anyway kill him and he drops a ruby pendant, one of the "eyes" for the skull. Be prepared for a nasty fight with a high level caster just outside the switch room named zixx. Gate out if you dont think you can take him.
https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.games.everquest/HFBH_LYVyKM/R4P3d2ws89MJ
And there is also a screenshot from the slideshow by Justicia Crystalwind, also above, showing 'a gnoll high shaman' in the southernmost room off the main room.
In combining all these accounts together, what I think happened was that the Kurrpok spawngroup was a combination of 3 different possibilities: a regular shaman, a gnoll high shaman, and Kurrpok himself. And that he roamed from his spawn point into the southernmost room (Edit: and northernmost room). This would account for why the Hop map had this room empty, and labelled his spawn as 'high shaman gnoll'; whereas Justicia Crystalwind saw 'a gnoll high shaman' here, and other people mention Kurrpok could be found here too. E.g. from the Necromonitor (Aug 23, 1999):
Go to Paw, go to the room with the stream running thru it. There's a hole in the floor underneath the stream. Swim down there, and go thru the door that leads into the larger chamber. In a small room to your right, you'll see aq bunch of splitpaw nobles and possibly Kurrpok Splitpaw. Kill him, get ruby pendant, gate out.
https://web.archive.org/web/20000303074930/www.doomguild.com/monitor/howto/96.html
I am still looking for more accounts of this but I think I'm on the right track.
Update 2021-06-10: I found a map of pre-revamp Paw by the Japanese map site guy, with spawn labels for Zixx and Kurrpock.
http://web.archive.org/web/20210610124225/https://metabrain.tripod.com/ant_map/InfectedPaw.jpg
Kurrpock is shown as spawning in the northernmost room on this map. I have no accounts of there being multiple Kurrpocks up so I think this was one spawn that roamed from middle, to north, to south, occasionally. With the screenshot evidence of Kurrpock being in the middle room on the high shaman spawn point, I think it's most likely that he was spawning there.
What the lever in the 3-noble room near Kurrpok does
It is a switch for a disabled trap. After you exit the switch room face the door to the next nables are and look right. You will see a large pendulum axe that is supposed to swing down and chop you in half. Neco <n...@none.com> wrote in message news:37dd8e51.1594373@news.erols.com... > at the area in splitpaw that is only accessible by swimming to it, is > a room with 3 nobles in it. on the wall is a lever.many times I have > switched this lever and tried running thru as much of the dungeon as I > can as quickly as I can, but have not found what is does. anyone know > what it's use is or what door it opens?
https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.games.everquest/KRzzcTcWX78/wNM0lSAHpA0J
Zixx Nenix
Research on Zixx, since he is so special, has been compiled on his own page:
http://wiki.project1999.com/Zixx_Nenix
Roaming Mobs
- Screenshots up above show roaming Gelatinous Cube and bats.
- EQ Clerics guide mentions that low level gnolls are 'scattered throughout the dungeon', perhaps they were roamers?
- Zixx Nenix roams up to the entrance after he spawns.
This post mentions the Gelatinous Cube and bats roam through the infamous gate everyone got stuck in:
I know how you feel. There are gates with bars in Paw. If you move into one just as it goes up, you get sucked up into the ceiling. I got stuck with a gelatinous cube and a bat as well. All you can do is /petition. You can't stand, sit, camp, or move.
https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.games.everquest/1VCNuplF3iE/QkH5BUghWV4J
And one of the screenshots above is of a Gnome fighting the cube near the entrance, so it must have roamed all over the dungeon.
Progression of Difficulty in the Dungeon
As you go deeper in the dungeon, the gnolls get tougher in 'zones'. First zone of difficulty is before the double doors (lowest level range of gnolls). Second zone is after the double doors. And so on:
Take Paw. Say you're 10th level. It's a long trip, and there are about 8 gnolls there that you can kill. If you go deeper in the dungeon, you die. So that, as an option, is out. If you're higher level then you run right past those 8 gnolls just as you ran right past the giant rats and bats outside of Qeynos. You find about 8 tougher gnolls that you can kill. If you go deeper in the dungeon, you die. So that, as an option, is out. So you kill your 8 gnolls. Now what? Run back to town? Die? Or do you wait and kill them again? Personally, I wait and kill them again.
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/alt.games.everquest/0k8oqcrDHqs/q6PpYy46nAAJ
Run speed of Gnolls
Seems this might have been a bit higher than the gnolls in Paw 2.0? Here is a comment from a thread talking about the Paw revamp (Paw 2.0):
2/. When they [gnolls] run, they run slowly. The previous inhabitants of Paw were fast little buggers, and could easily outrun any no-SoWed player
https://groups.google.com/g/alt.games.everquest/c/0GtS5AAvCts/m/hoJbT4oMl28J
However, maybe this just means they were sow'ed more often by their pals.
Sources
https://www.steveprutz.com/eq/paw.htm
http://web.archive.org/web/20010304004356/eqcleric.gameglow.com/guides/guide_to_paw.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/19991013114727/http://eqatlas.com/splitpaw.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20000618043619/http://www.nx.sakura.ne.jp/~chizuya/image/paw/map.htm
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/dbsanfte/eq-archives/master/mailing-lists/eqbards/html/961.html
Web Archive Links
Everlore
- http://web.archive.org/web/20000301081404/www.everlore.com/geography/default.asp?mapID=1509
- Compilation of mobs, quests, and comments about the zone
- http://web.archive.org/web/20030610132544/everlore.com/geography/default.asp?mapID=1509
- Color map of Infected Paw
- http://web.archive.org/web/20010519174106/www.everlore.com/bestiary/beastdetails.asp?mode=show&BID=201340
- Example detail page for Kurrpok Splitpaw
- [3]
- Example quest (for a quest involving A Splitpaw assassin)
Future Zone Page
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Map
Dangers? Benefits? Traveling To and FromThere is only one way to get to Infected Paw, and that is by entering Southern Plains of Karana and traveling to the center. When you see the three bloody claws sticking up from the earth, pass in between them. In what would be the center of the paw, there is a small dark hole facing the claws that is the entrance to Splitpaw. This is easy to miss if you've never seen in before (and the first time I mapped Southern Karana in the beta, I walked over this and never saw it), so keep your eyes peeled, it's there somewhere. What's in this zone? |
