MapleSEA - Everything you need to know for the basics - Part 5

Quests

Quests are varying tasks that players may perform for NPCs in return for experience and possible rewards. There are over a hundred possible quests, each with varying prerequisites; most quests require the player to be at or more than a certain level limit and/or the player to have a specific character class, minimum fame data point or to have completed another certain quest. For example, the quest "Building Blackbull's New House" requires the player to have a minimum of level thirty, ten fame and the completion of "Fixing Blackbull's House", an earlier quest. Most available quests require the player to retrieve a certain amount of spoils attained from monsters or they must traverse through obstacle courses. Different rewards, such as experience or unique items, can be received by the player after completing certain quests. Some quests can be repeated, although the reward(s) and given EXP may be different from those attained during their first completion. Unlike some MMORPGs, it's not possible to escape the grind by completing quests. Also unlike some MMORPGs, Maplestory does not follow any quest storyline mainly because MapleStory has no backstory.

Accompaniments/Party Quests

Accompaniments are a special type of quest where a party of players work together to beat several challenges. Although officially called "Accompaniments", they are commonly referred to as "Party Quests" and "PQ" interchangeably. Each party quest has its own level limits which every character in the party must be within to enter the party quest.

The first party quest is in Kerning City. A party of at least four (although parties are limited to a maximun of six people), ranging from levels 21 to 30, progresses through five stages in fewer than thirty minutes by solving puzzles and killing monsters. At the end, a prize is given to each participant; these range from ores, equipment, scrolls, or potions. Only one party can be inside the party quest at any given time on one channel.

The second party quest is located in Ludibrium. A party of six, ranging from levels 35 to 50, progresses through nine stages (not including the bonus stage) in less than one hour by solving puzzles and killing monsters. The skills specific character classes possess, such as Haste, Heal, Dark Sight, and Teleport, are eminently used to help pass some of the stages. The skills Dark Sight and Teleport are required to complete the accompaniment. Prizes consist of potions, ores, equipment, or scrolls. In some rare cases, some have been known to have been rewarded summoning sacks. After the boss monster (Alishar) is defeated, there is a bonus stage. In this stage players have one minute to break as many boxes as possible which drop a variety of items and equipments.

Another party quest, the Zakum Party Quest is for characters level fifty and above. Multiple parties can enter this quest at the same time and multiple parties can finish it together. There are three stages that can be completed before playing in a boss battle with Zakum. Overall, more experience is gained from this party quest than others. One known reward from this party quest is the "Zakum Hat" that users can wear on their head to show they have completed the quest.

A fourth party quest is in Orbis. Details are unknown, however it is only in KoreaMS and JapanMS. Also, there's a Guild Quest in the Perion Castle area, but it's only available in JapanMS and KoreaMS.

Jump quests

Jump quests are a unique type of quest in which a character starts at one part of a map and uses timed jumps to get from one to another specific platform. The player attempts to avoid enemies and obstacles that can knock them off of the platform. Jump quests typically require precision timing and steady patience, although the reaped rewards are re-attainable and monetarily valuable. John in Lith Harbor and Shumi in Kerning City each gives three jump quests of increasing difficulty, Sabitrama of Sleepywood gives two quests and assistant Cheng in the Ludibrium Toy Factory also gives one quest. Mobility skills (Teleport, Flash Jump) are disabled in Jump Quests, as with speed and jump boosts (This means while Haste can be cast in the area, it will have no effect). However. The Chief Bandit skill Assaulter still works, allowing them to use it to "Cheat" and teleport through monsters in the Jump Quest.

World

There are three main continents (Maple Island, Victoria Island, and Ossyria Island) and two subcontinents (Florina Island and Ludibrium Island) common to all versions in the MapleStory world and two additional subcontinents soon to be common to all versions (Korean Folk Town and Riprey).

Maple Island is where every new player begins their journey. It has short, tutorial quests and is occupied with monsters whose levels are suited for Beginners. When a player leaves this island, they are not able to return to it later.

Victoria Island has six towns. Lith Harbor is a port town where one first arrives after leaving Maple Island. Henesys is located in a plain-like area; beginners advancing to archers can do so here. Ellinia is located in a forest; beginners advancing to magicians can do so here. Perion is located in a mountainous region; beginners advancing to warriors can do so here. Kerning City is a run-down, urban area; beginners advancing to rogues can do so here. Lastly, Sleepywood is a town located in the dungeon in the middle of Victoria Island. The passage between Ossyria and Victoria Island is located in Ellinia.

On Ossyria Island, one can travel among Orbis, El Nath, Ludibrium, Omega Sector, Aqua Road, Korean Folk Town, and Riprey. Orbis is a town whose background art and other features make it seem as though it is floating in the sky. El Nath is an arctic village located at the bottom of Orbis Tower. Below Orbis Tower lies the underwater world of Aqua Road with an aquarium. Ludibrium is a toy village accessible via a flying train from Orbis. At the bottom of Eos Tower, one will come across Omega Sector, an area where players resist an alien invasion and at the bottom of Helios Tower, one will come across Korean Folk Town, an area modeled off Korean fairy tales. Also, at the east end of Aqua Road, there is a portal that also leads to Korean Folk Town. Riprey, an island with an egg theme with strong monsters can be reached by a huge blue bird in Orbis Station.

JapanMS and Beta KoreaMS versions contain an additional continent called Jipang, based on Japanese culture; similarly, Korean Folk Town (available in KoreaMS, JapanMS, ChinaMS and TaiwanMS) is based on the Korean culture. Formosa was exclusive to TaiwanMS, however it is no longer a TaiwanMS exclusive, Formosa is now also accessible in Beta KoreaMS.

Dong Fang Shen Zhou was exclusive to ChinaMS,however it is no longer a ChinaMS exclusive, Dong Fang Shen Zhou is now accessible in Beta KoreaMS and TaiwanMS, but it is still unknown if Dong Fang Shen Zhou will be a permanent access or just temporary access for TaiwanMS.

Peach Blossom Island is available only in ChinaMS, TaiwanMS, and MapleSEA, where couples take part in traditional Chinese marriages (by purchasing an amount of Cash Shop items).

Night City is a new area in TaiwanMS that is also part of Formosa it is released on August 23, 2006. While China released Yu Yuan Garden also part of Dong Fang Shen Zhou at the same time.

Premium Road has been made available to KoreaMS, JapanMS, ThailandMS and MapleSEA; it can be accessed only if the player is connected from a real-life Internet Cafe which has previously made contracts with the programming staff of its local MapleStory version. In addition, there is also an event town Happyville which is only available during the Christmas period.

This source is taken from the following websites : APA: maplestory. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved October 26, 2006, from Reference.com website: http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/MapleStory MLA: "maplestory." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 26 Oct. 2006. Chicago Style: maplestory. Reference.com. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/MapleStory (accessed: October 26, 2006).