Darklight Wood

               {{ZoneBox|
 introduced = LU35|
 levelrange = 1-20|
 azones = [[Neriak, City of Hate|Neriak]], [[The Commonlands]], [[Nektulos Forest]], [[The Sinking Sands]]|
 instance   = Public | <!-- Public or Instance -->
 uid = 306 |
 altname    = | <!-- use only if PAGENAME does not exactly match zone name -->
 timelines  = | <!-- if blank, 'PAGENAME Timeline' will be tested -->
 image      = Darklight_Wood.JPG | 
 caption    = | <!-- a caption for the above image -->
 harvestnodetier = 1 and 2 | 
}}
Darklight Wood is the lower-level counterpart to [[Nektulos Forest]], containing the long-lost evil city of [[Neriak, City of Hate]].  It is a level 1-20 newbie zone, containing about 100 well-organized quests.  Physically it is the smallest of the five starting locations in EQ2, but it connects directly to [[The Commonlands]] on one side and Nektulos on the other side, making it a convenient hub for the low- and mid-levels.

== Lore ==
The ancient dark elf city of Neriak was once protected from invaders by these woods. All the warriors knew these lands better than any interloper could ever dream of knowing them. Neriak was strong and fortified. 
:--''[[Nektulos Forest, by Torq De'Rech]]''

The weak never survive long in the forest. 
:--''[[A History of the Order of Nektulos]]

== Geography == 
Darklight Wood is a relatively small zone, with a large open central area based around {{POI|Smoldering Lake}} and {{POI|Nightshadow Rise}}.  Several smaller valleys extend in all directions from this central area, each with unique terrain features.  When compared to the larger [[Nektulos Forest]], Darklight Wood is better lit and has less obstacles, but is just as densely populated with creatures.

=== Travel ===
Darklight Wood is a relatively small zone and has no griffon routes.  There's a connection to [[The Commonlands]] in the middle of the zone on the south side, and a connection to [[Nektulos Forest]] at the far west end.

At the {{POI|Shadow Oak}} is a griffon ride that will take you to [[Butcherblock Mountains]].

Boat travel to lands accessible by sea is available from the {{POI|Dockside Markets}} inside [[Neriak, City of Hate]].

=== Map ===
[[Image:Darklight_Wood POIs.jpg|260px]]

=== City ===
This is the starting zone for all [[:Category:Arasai (Character Race)|Arasai]].  Newly created [[:Category:Dark Elf (Character Race)|Dark Elves]], [[:Category:Iksar (Character Race)|Iksar]], [[:Category:Ogre (Character Race)|Ogres]], [[:Category:Ratonga (Character Race)|Ratonga]], and [[:Category:Troll (Character Race)|Trolls]] can also choose to start in this zone.

It is very easy for characters from [[Freeport]] and [[Gorowyn]] to travel to Darklight Wood to quest here.  Characters from these cities can easily [[Citizenship Timeline|change citizenship to Neriak]] if they wish to make this their home.

{{SmallTable}}
 ! City Name 
 ! Alignment
 ! Location
 |-
 | [[Neriak, City of Hate]]
 | Evil
 | Over bridge east of {{POI|T'Vatar Post}}
 |}

=== Adjacent Zones ===
{{SmallTable}}
 ! Zone Name 
 ! Level Range 
 ! Direction
 ! Access
 |-
 | [[The Commonlands]]
 | 10-20
 | South
 | follow road south from {{POI|Warpfont Spire}}
 |-
 | [[Nektulos Forest]]
 | 20-30
 | West
 | follow road west from {{POI|Wanderlust Fair}}
 |-
 | [[Butcherblock Mountains]]
 | 20-35
 | East
 | take griffon at {{POI|Shadow Oak}}
 |}

=== Revive Locations ===
{{SmallTable}}
 ! Revive Location
 ! Description
 |-
 | {{POI|Hate's Envy}}
 | serves the starting area for Neriak characters
 |-
 | {{POI|T'Vatar Post}}
 | nearest respawn point to [[Neriak, City of Hate]]
 |-
 | {{POI|Wanderlust Fair}}
 | only revive location in western part of zone
 |}

== Quests ==
About 150 quests are available overall in Darklight Wood and Neriak combined.  The quests in Darklight Wood are found in a few concentrated quest hubs.  Some Neriak quests also extend into nearby Nektulos Forest.
*See: [[Darklight Wood Timeline]]

The Neriak guards that patrol Darklight Wood will tolerate all characters from [[Freeport]] and [[Gorowyn]].  Characters from [[Qeynos]], [[Kelethin]] and [[New Halas]] can quest here, but they must avoid the Neriak guards that patrol the roadways.

{{SmallTable}}
 ! Quest Hub
 ! Level Range
 ! Notes
 |-
 | {{POI|Hate's Envy}}
 | 1-5
 | Starting location
 |-
 | {{POI|T'Vatar Post}}
 | 6-12
 | Nearest hub to [[Neriak, City of Hate|Neriak]]
 |-
 | {{POI|Wanderlust Fair}}
 | 10-21
 | Good quest hub for visitors
 |-
 | {{POI|Shadow Oak}}
 | 15-20
 | Has griffon route to next quest zone
 |}

=== Lore and Legend Books ===
*[[Smiting of the Werewolf]], the quest starter for [[Lore and Legend: Werewolf]], is in the [[:Category:Moonshriek Werewolves (Group)|werewolf ruins]], on the floor in a building at {{Loc|-8|-26|-415}}
*[[Skeletons]], the quest starter for [[Lore and Legend: Skeleton]], is in the {{POI|Tower of Bone}} in a bookcase directly across from the entrance.

== Similar Zones ==
{{SmallTable}}
 ! Zone Name 
 ! Level Range 
 ! Region
 ! Notes
 |-
 | [[Timorous Deep]]
 | 1-20
 | [[Kunark]]
 | Another outstanding zone for quests, with great rewards
 |-
 | [[The Commonlands]]
 | 10-20
 | [[Shattered Lands]]
 | Close by and a good complement for Darklight Wood
 |}