Augur's Hunting Guide for Erud's Crossing

Map of the Island
EQ Atlas Guide to Erudin's Crossing

Best Levels: 14 to 16
Party Mix: Basic.. blaster, tank, healer

Between Qeynos and Erudin is a small island known as Eruds Crossing. This isle, sometimes referred to incorrectly as kerra isle, contains some of the best hunting available for levels 14 to 16 due to the rapid spawn rate and (usually) low amount of other players on it.

From South Qeynos, take the boat (scary scary) to the first stop which is Eruds crossing. The boat will stop at a dock with a Kerran female known as Milea (I believe, it's been awhile). For most players, Milea and the rest of these Kerrans are non-hostile and will not attack you on sight.

Once you step off of the docks, to the right is a small village containing several kerran's, one of which will sell you food / water and will buy your extra items at fairly decent prices. The Kerran who will sell to you is located standing inside one of the huts.

There are a few ground rules you need to know before hunting on Eruds Crossing Island... First off, and most important, any creature with the name "kerra" or "kerran" in it's title is off limits (I.e. Kerra spider, kerran beetle, kerra snake). On the island is a version of the infamous "Holly Windstalker / Cros Treewind" known as HOJO. Hojo is the island protectorate, and will kill you in short order if you attack a critter with "kerra" in it's title. For the most part, Hojo stays near the top of the island, which is not that large.

In the center of the island is a deep depression or crater. Around the edge of this crater, placed in various areas, are several stone monuments. It is near these monuments that you will find many willowisps spawning. Hojo doesn't care about the willowisps, so feel free to slaughter them for fun and profit.. One caveat about the island wisps however, they are social critters, meaning if one is being attacked others WILL join in. I have seen as many as 5 join the battle.

The real experience treasure of the island is hunting the undead sailors. You can locate the sunken ship by heading from the dock to the left, around the island, until you notice the mast sticking up from the water about 50 yards out. DIRECTLY under the mast are 3 undead sailors (zombies). If you are underwater and stare directly at the mast area (center ship) they spawn one to the left, and two to the right. Depending on the size of your group, you will want to pull the one on the left first (pull from as far left as possible, with a bow or spell) and then the right. If you pull center mass, you will pull all 3 zombies at the same time, which will make for an interesting and exciting 90 seconds...

"LOADING, PLEASE WAIT"

Be prepared to die on Eruds Crossing, it will happen.

Once you have the initial zombies cleaned out, begin harvesting them one at a time and pulling to the beach. Don't try to fight them in the water, just have your combat puller (ref: Augur's Combat Pullers Guide) *grin* pull the critter to the shore and use an L shape formation to slaughter them. You will find your own technique for attacking the zombies, but always use an "ambush" technique to take the pressure off of the puller. Also have your healer target the puller BEFORE he enters the water. The undead sailors can stun with their strikes and your puller can get a little bloody enroute to the ambush site. Your swimming skills will definitely go up while hunting here, and it is good prep for Kedge Keep (a higher level dungeon underwater).

Loot from the Undead Sailors is fairly good, rawhide armor (all pieces), bronze weapons, blurred map (quest item in Qeynos), zombie skin and rusty weapons.

Sometimes an Island Madman will spawn. In a full group of 15 to 16th level he is dead meat. The Island Madman is a spellcaster who will KOS you if you are under 20th level. If you see him, kill him and be done with it. Madman usually stays near the top of the island unless someone pulls him down to the beach.

Vampire bats exist on Eruds Crossing and are much nastier than regular bats. Vampire bats are sometimes spellcasters. If you see a vampire bat with a "vampire bat pet", your loot from that kill will usually be a Thin Boned Wand, useable by any character type, 3 chages of Lifetap (drains @ 15 hit points from target and gives you the life). Vampire bats without pets do not drop the Thin boned wand.

A very rare spawn on Eruds Crossing is the Fire Elemental. In all my times of hunting there I saw (and killed) him once. Make sure you "con" him before attacking.
(Note from Invectus: If you are a caster, don't use Fire-based spells, Ice-based are best or Lightning-based work also, I've killed many this way)

One of the greatest dangers to you while on Eruds Crossing is indirectly caused by high level players. If a high level player goes into the crater on Eruds Crossing Island, and kills all the critters down there (including Hojo) very rapidly, it will cause the entire island to spawn. Every spawn possible spawns at the same time. You will end up fighting wandering island Undead Sailors, Skeletons, madmen, and anything else the island can throw at you. The reason they do this is to get more wisps to spawn.

If Hojo is not around, feel free to kill the Kerran named critters. Snakes drop giant snake fangs, spiders give posion sacs... overall very good loot items for the level. As a side note, do not expect the Kerra inhabitants to assist you should things go bad. They are not guards and will not help you one bit.

One last danger exists in the water, on the right side of the island from the docks... the Killer Shark. I have no idea what level the shark is, since he conn'd red to a 29th level Priest... The shark is instant death if you mess with it. Why go there you ask? One of the 10 pieces for the Staff of the Wheel spawns where the shark swims (perhaps inside the shark).

Eruds Crossing is a favorite training ground of mine, for teaching new groups how to fight as a cohesive unit. If you enjoy shepherding, take a group of 14 to 16 to the island and pull undead sailors for an afternoon. It's great experience and a wonderful teaching tool.

Good Journey,
Augur Fleshrender
A'dileab de Paegen