The Swamp of No Hope

Anyone who began in Kunark - the starting continent of the expansion-added Iksar - was familiar with The Swamp of No Hope. Remaining true to its moniker, this "newbie zone" was anything but forgiving to new players. Water slowed down movement and hid enemies from sight, while pallisades of trees concealed overpowered mobs and confused anyone trying to wayfind, especially in the dark. That environment, which encompassed so much threat and anxiety, even has a series of sounds that anyone who spent any time there would immediately recognize. It is a fantastic element to a thoughtful world, and one that many were not keen to return to until much, much later.