Guild banners will be raised with pride as guilds move into their new Guild Halls in the “Raising the Banner” EverQuest® II game update. Once moved in, players can then put on their digging gear and head off to participate in a special excavation in-game event. The event, open to players of all levels, uncovers hidden details about The Shadow Odyssey™, the expansion scheduled to launch in November. “Raising the Banner” then wraps up with an annual “Nights of the Dead” themed event.

"Raising the Banner"  Key Features:

• Guild Halls:
For the first time ever guilds can now purchase Guild Halls in EverQuest II!
In addition to the previously uninhabited islands to the west of Antonica and east of the Commonlands, some key property inside the cities is available, and can be purchased with in-game currency by qualified guilds. Available in different sizes, these new halls will serve the dual purpose as headquarters of the city guilds as well as a line of defense from coastal invasion.

• Excavation with the D.I.R.T.Y. Team:
A two part, in-game event introduces players to a small team of archaeologists and tinkerers, who go by the name D.I.R.T.Y. (Dedicated Individuals Recovering Technology of Yesteryear). Players can join in the excavation of the mysterious and ancient items, work to maintain the D.I.R.T.Y. clockwork contraptions or help to defend the site from mysterious attackers.

• Nights of the Dead:
Goblins and ghoulies will appear from the shadows for the largest in-game Halloween celebration to date. Adventurers across Norrath are encouraged to join in the celebrations through holiday crafting, trick-or-treating or investigating haunted locations! But be wary of Gigglegibber goblin impersonators who have been spotted luring unsuspecting adventurers into dangerous situations. “Nights of the Dead” is slated to run from Oct. 22 through Nov. 3, 2008.

In addition, the experience requirements for leveling are set to be reduced during this event, allowing players to be ready for the next expansion more quickly and benefitting players participating in the mentoring program.

For more details, log on to www.eq2players.com.