# Blood of Zek — Setup Guide

Getting in takes about 10 minutes if you already have the RoF2 client, plus
the time to download it if you don't.

---

## 1. Get the RoF2 EverQuest client

Blood of Zek runs on the **Rain of Fear 2 (RoF2)** version of the EQ client.
You'll need to source it yourself — common community mirrors:

- **PEQ TGC torrent**: https://www.takp.info/forum/forums/peq.5/ (search "RoF2 client")
- **EQEmu forums client thread**: https://www.eqemulator.org/forums/index.php?forums/installation-help.34/

Make sure the version you get is RoF2 specifically. Other versions (Titanium,
SoF, UF) will not connect to BoZ.

---

## 2. Install RoF2 to a fresh folder

**Critical:** use a **clean copy** of RoF2 for Blood of Zek. Our patcher
modifies a couple of files (`eqhost.txt`, `dbstr_us.txt`) that will make the
install incompatible with other EQEmu servers.

Suggested install path: `C:\EverQuest-RoF2-BoZ\`

If you already play on another EQEmu server, make a separate copy of your
RoF2 folder for Blood of Zek. Don't patch your existing install.

---

## 3. Get an EQEmu forum account (if you don't already have one)

Blood of Zek uses the **EQEmu central loginserver**, which means you log in
with your `eqemulator.net` forum account. If you've played on any EQEmu
server before, you already have one.

If you need to create one: https://www.eqemulator.org/forums/index.php

---

## 4. Download and run the BoZ Launcher

Download: **http://209.126.8.61:8080/BoZLauncher.exe**

The launcher is a small (~325KB) Windows app. No installer — just download
and run.

On first run:
1. Click **Choose...** and pick the `eqgame.exe` inside your RoF2 folder
2. It'll show **Update (3 files)** in orange. Click it.
3. Files download in a few seconds.
4. Button turns green and reads **PLAY**. Click it.
5. Windows may show a UAC prompt the first time — click Yes.

---

## 5. Log in and play

When EverQuest launches:
1. At the login screen, enter your **eqemulator.net forum account name and
   password**
2. At the server list, find **Blood of Zek** (use the filter if needed)
3. Click it, then **Play EQ**
4. Make a character, hit Enter World, and you're in.

---

## Troubleshooting

**"Launcher hangs at Fetching manifest..."**
Our patch server is down or unreachable. Check your firewall isn't blocking
outbound HTTP, then try again.

**"Game crashes mid-zone-in"**
Compat shims for `eqgame.exe` weren't set. The launcher writes these on
PLAY click — try re-running the launcher and clicking PLAY again. If the
crash persists, post a #bug-reports message in Discord with your
`C:\<your RoF2>\Logs\dbg.txt`.

**"Blood of Zek isn't in my server list"**
Server may not be public yet, or you're connected to the wrong loginserver.
Confirm your `<RoF2>\eqhost.txt` reads exactly:
```
[LoginServer]
Host=login.eqemulator.net:5999
```

**"Class greyed out at char creation"**
Beastlord and Berserker are disabled until later expansions unlock. Pick
another class for now.

**Other issues**
Post in #bug-reports on Discord with steps to reproduce.

---

## Links

- **Discord:** https://discord.gg/KPHyNE3NFv
- **Patcher download:** http://209.126.8.61:8080/BoZLauncher.exe
- **EQEmu forums:** https://www.eqemulator.org

See you in Norrath.