Lake of Ill Omen
Location: To the southwest of the city of Cabilis, in the center of Kunark
Adjacent Zones: West Cabilis, Firiona Vie, Frontier Mountains, Warsliks Woods, Veksar
Level of Monsters: 1-30+
Types of Monsters: (P99 Link)
Decaying Skeletons, Skeletons, Scalebone Skeletons, Greater Skeletons, Lesser Icebone Skeletons, Lesser Charbone Skeletons, Charbone Skeletons, Warboned Skeleton, Goblin Whelp, Goblin Scout, Goblin Watcher, Goblin Outrider, Goblin Hunter, Goblin Brawler, Goblin Skirmisher, Goblin Spirit Caller, Goblin Soothsayer, Goblin Agressor, Goblin Warrior, Goblin Warlord, Pond Sturgeon, Bloodgill Goblin, Sabretooth Kitten, Sabretooth Cub, Sabretooth Kit, Sabretooth Cat, Sabretooth Grimalkin, Sabretooth Tigress, Sabretooth Tiger, Sarnak Hatchling, Sarnak Broodling, Sarnak Recruit, Sarnak Legionnaire, Sarnak Adherant, Sarnak Crypt Raider, Sarnak Dragoon, Sarnak Flunkie, Sarnak Revealer, Sarnak Revenant, Sarnak Gem Oracle, Sarnak Imperial Escort, Iksar Footpad, Iksar Bandit, Iksar Brigand, Iksar Manslayer, Iksar Marauder, Iksar Exile, Iksar Pariah, Deepwater Barracuda, Tainted Barracuda
Notable NPC’s: Sarnak Courier, Professor Akabao, Chancellor Di’Zok, Lord Gorelik, Advisor Sh’Orok
Unique Items: Blade of Passage, Bracer of the Hidden, Jade Chokidai Prod, Sarnak Earring of Station, Scaled Wolf Hide Cap, Scaled Wolf Hide Gloves, Totem of the Warrior Spirit, Sarnak Flesh Harvester, Sarnak Ceremonial Dagger, Sarnak Emblazoned Tabard, Goblin Skinner, Kitchata Koro Mis, Mithril Staff, Goblin Gazughi Ring, Harpoon of the Depths, Hand Woven Leggings, Iksar Skull Helm, Iron Bound Tome, Pondfish Spine, Sarnak Great Cleaver
Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor
Personal Experience in the Zone
As a lvl 25 using a Druid with poor pet control, soloing at the windmill (loc 13 on the map) was fairly straight forward. Sabertooth Grimalkens hit hard and I try to avoid both attacking them and using them as a pet. Sabertooth Tigers make better pets as they break charm less.
At Level 26, Druid Charm sticks better on Sabretooth Grimalkens but, be mindful when taking on another Sabretooth Grimalken as when (not if) that charm breaks – it can be very difficult to manage!
Killing the skellies and looting Fine weapons has netted me a few Plat whilst killing around the Windmill area.
XP for dark blue cons varies between 2-3% per kill and a recent 3 team group (with Kuukuuzuu & Selfi on 31-3-24 uk time) saw 1% per kill for the same targeted mobs.
It is quite a trek from Freeport with a Boat required to Butcherblock Mountains, then hop on the shuttles one pier over to catch the next boat to Firiona Vie. From there, it can be a horrid run to the Lake of Ill Omen zone line.
Final thoughts – Rathe Mountains gave better plat per hour killing skellies on the Lake Rathetear zone line and potentially better xp. P99 Wiki suggests LOIO is potentially only .83% xp per kill (although it does have a footnote against that xp modifier)
Allakhazam Links: Bestiary || Equipment (Premium only) || Quests || Strategy
P99 Links: Dangers || NPC’s & Levels
Text last updated: Sept 2024
Map last updated: Oct 2000
Description
The Lake of Ill Omen is the ancient site of the city of Varnek, which was cursed ages ago and has since sank beneath the waters, giving the local area its name. The reptilian Sarnak have moved into the area and have secured an ancient fortress to the southwest. The goblins have established a mine in the hills in north of the lake. The Brood of Kotiz has taken it upon themselves to eradicate the Sarnak from the area, and have directed their trainees to do so.
Dangers
The only true danger in this area is all of the wandering monsters that roam around the area. The worst of these are the Goblins which are hard to see at night in the grassy areas, and many powerful Goblins can be found wandering through areas inhabited by much less powerful creatures. Also, the Sarnak are hard to see, but they are much less frequently found wandering around. The Bloodgill Goblins in the water are also highly aggressive if you like to swim, and occasionally are seen walking the shores, although they are likely trained there. There are several areas with high concentrations of creatures that warrant mention. The more frequent are the ruins throughout the area, which are typically turned into outposts for either the outcast Iksar or the Goblins. Since they are often inside the buildings, care needs to be taken when moving around these areas.
The area that is most dangerous, however, is the area to the southwest, where the Sarnak have recaptured an ancient Iksar fortress and turned it into their stronghold in the area. Traveling anywhere near the area means that you will encounter many wandering Sarnak, all of which are highly aggressive and strong. There is an area of less danger, and that is the Goblin Mines to the northwest of the lake. The small entrance belies the vast network of catacombs that exist beneath the mountains, and the Goblins numbers are far more than they would seem based on their surface patrols.
Benefits
This area has a good mix of creatures, and they are typically found in small clusters that you can easily hunt with a small group. That allows for some good areas to hunt if you fit the appropriate level range for the monsters in that area.
This area is also an excellent area for both necromancers and shadow knights to hunt, as there are hordes of Skeletons of various types that provide bone chips for them. It is also the area where the beginning quests for both Necromancers and Shadow Knights are primarily based, so they can be found hunting in this area a great deal.
Travelling To and From Lake Of Ill Omen
The Iksar city of Cabilis lies to the northeast through a long, narrow valley. Just south of the valley entrance lies a small gorge with a stream that feeds the lake. This gorge leads to a small spring that also feeds down to the old elven beachhead of Firiona Vie.
Far to the west, just north of the Sarnak Fortress lies the narrow pass to the Frontier Mountains.