Here are some midweek updates for you:

New Items: Harlan's Heater Ornament ;  Short Cherry Rose Glass Dome Display Case ;  Tall Cherry Rose Glass Dome Display Case ;  Bloodthirsty Robe Ornament

Here are today's updates:

New Recipes: Scroll: Crush of the Iceclad Rk. II ;  Scroll: Crush of Tarew Rk. II ;  Scroll: Coruscating Shadow Rk. II ;  Scroll: Conscripted Sacrifice Rk. II ;  Scroll: Confounding Flash Rk. II ;  Scroll: Hastening of Sviir Rk. II

UPDATE - Saturday February 14:

• Daybreak had connection issues overnight; forums are back up, but login may not be completely stable yet. It is being worked on.
• 12:30pm ET: Smed, Holly and Emily (Domino) have all confirmed that there are DDOS attacks going on. They're doing what they can, but expect things to be unstable until it's mitigated.
• 3:30pm ET: Everything should be back online now!
• Holly posted a bit more this morning on the EQ2 forums, and twice on the EQ forums, both of which we've included after the jump.
• If you're unfamiliar with Holly, read this comment.

Holly "Windstalker" Longdale, now the Executive Producer for both EverQuest & EverQuest II, has posted letters on the EverQuest and EverQuest II forums. She introduces herself to EverQuest players, and offers reassurances that both games will continue development.

You can read and comment on both letters (linked above) on the official game forums. The main point seems to be to invite everyone to livestreams. Here's the info:

EverQuest Livestream:

• Wednesday, February 18
• 2pm Pacific Time
• http://twitch.tv/DayBreakGames

EverQuest II Livestream:

• Wednesday, February 18
• 3pm Pacific Time
• http://www.twitch.tv/everquest2

Some updates for you on the tail end of what's been a rather long week in our gaming community:

New Quest: Dark Reign: Animated Statue Plans

New Zones: Stillmoon Temple: Tracking the Kirin ;  Accursed Nest: Scrap Metal

UPDATE, Feb 12th: Thanks to everyone who has reached out to us regarding this news. I doubt we'll get an exhaustive list, but it's obvious that the community team, producers and developers were all hit pretty hard. You can contact us at news@zam.com or directly to @Cyliena on Twitter if you have more information.

One year ago I took the above picture of a smiling Linda "Brasse" Carlson, the Director of Community Relations, in her expertly handmade dwarven regalia, on the Sony Online Entertainment campus.

About an hour ago the first confirmed layoff from the transition to Daybreak Games hit, with Linda posting on Facebook that "I have been released from the best and most challenging job I have ever had. I thank you all for being part of that incredible experience. Too many people to thank personally, but know that I am extraordinarily grateful and very curious where life takes me now."

Linda isn't the only one affected. EverQuest franchise Director of Development Dave "Smokejumper" Georgeson has confirmed now on Twitter that he was laid off. EverQuest II artist Aaron "Gnobrin" Bisnett has also confirmed that he is gone, and we've been told that Systems Designer Akil "Lyndro" Hooper (confirmed now) from EQ/EQ2 has been let go as well.

Also confirmed are Adam "Ngreth" Bell (EQ dev) (x), Tiffany "Amnerys" Spence (Community) (x), Racheal "Afista" McKenny (EQ2 Community) (x), Endymion (EQ2 dev) (x), Eric "Felgon" Smith (Landmark/EQNext producer) (x), Noah Watkins (H1Z1 artist) (x), Steve "Moorgard" Danuser (EQNext Lead Content/Story Designer) (x), Kelduum Revaan (H1Z1 Technical Designer) (x), Aimee "Ashlanne" Rekoske (Community) (x), David Carey (PS2 producer) (x), Jeffrey Bard (EQ2 dev) (x) and Michael "Xelgad" Ganz (EQ2 dev) (x). There are likely many more, but these are the only ones we publicly know of at this time; a list on Reddit has a few more names not mentioned here.

On Thursday, February 12th, both H1Z1 developer Ryan Elam (x) and PlanetSide 2 Creative Director Matt Higby announced their voluntary resignations.

Colette "Dexella" Murphey posted the company's official statement; here are the key points:

Last week we announced that we were acquired and are now operating independently as Daybreak Game Company.

Unfortunately, this realignment means adjusting staffing as well. We announced today that we will eliminate positions in our San Diego and Austin studios.

These reductions will not affect the operation of our current games and as mentioned above, will help better position our company for future success.

Daybreak's full statement is found after the jump. Tiffany "Amnerys" Spence has discussed turning over a new leaf on her blog, while former PlanetSide 2 producer David Carey posted an insightful public note to the community regarding the layoffs over on Reddit.

We wish the best to everyone involved.

Here are some midweek updates for you:

New Quest: Dark Reign: Diving for Lavarocks

New Zone: Lavaspinner's Lair: Diving for Lavarocks

New Recipe: Scroll: Silver Frost Rk. II

Here are today's updates:

New Quests: Dark Reign Raid: Reflections of Silver ;  Dark Reign Raid: Fanning the Flames

New Zones: Tirranun's Delve: Fanning the Flames ;  Lavaspinner's Lair: Grounding the Drakes

New Bestiary: a chest (Fanning the Flames) ;  Tirranun ;  Tirranun`s ashen form ;  Tirranun`s Blazing Body ;  whorl of searing ashes ;  a Delve drake ;  a Delve evoker ;  a Delve spellbinder ;  a drake egg

Updated Zones: The Ascent: Kessdona's Perch ;  The Ascent: Reflections of Silver ;  Lavaspinner's Lair: Lavaspinner's Locals

Updated Items: Drake Fang ;  Smoldering Claw of Tirranun ;  Scorched Green Metal Visor ;  Russet Rockscale Armguards ;  Hands of Flame ;  Glimmering Fire Opal Band ;  Brimstone Spaulders ;  Blackened Sandals ;  Ashen Blade of the Slayer ;  Perfectly Cut Diamond

Updated Quests: Norrath's Keepers: Lavaspinner's Locals ;  Norrath's Keepers: Grounding the Drakes ;  Norrath's Keepers Raid: Fanning the Flames ;  Norrath's Keepers Raid: Kessdona's Perch ;  Norrath's Keepers Raid: Reflections of Silver ;  Dark Reign Raid: Kessdona's Perch ;  Dark Reign: Grounding the Drakes ;  Dark Reign: Lavaspinner's Locals ;  TDS Progression #0: An Overview ;  TDS Progression #4a: The Pellarus Satum

Updated Bestiary: Rikkukin the Defender ;  Tirranun the Ancient Protector ;  Kessdona the Enlightened ;  General Lereh Dirr ;  Captain Areha Burina ;  Artisan Garth Okken ;  active manashard guardian ;  depleted manashard guardian ;  inactive manashard guardian ;  a chest (Reflections of Silver) ;  a chest (Kessdona's Perch)

Here are some updates for today:

New Items: Tome: Demolishing Frenzy Rk. III ;  Bitter Bottle ;  Scroll: Storm of Many Rk. II

New Bestiary: an earthen toiler ;  a sand spiritstorm

Updated Items: Ration ;  Crude Defiant Breastplate ;  Dragon Scale ;  Warped Primeval Incandessence ;  Distorted Primeval Luminessence ;  Mask of Dark Tidings ;  Troll Blood ;  Elven Blood ;  Dark Elf Parts ;  Ogre Meat ;  Ogre Blood ;  Human Parts ;  Human Blood ;  High Elf Parts ;  Army of Light Longsword ;  Wood Elf Parts ;  Dwarf Meat ;  Dwarven Blood ;  Empty Phial ;  Bixie Stinger ;  Bixie Wing ;  Cultured Jumjum Honey ;  Bixie Parts ;  Low Quality Bear Skin ;  Bear Parts ;  High Quality Bear Skin ;  Pearlescent Bear Tooth ;  Medium Quality Bear Skin ;  Thick Grizzly Bear Skin ;  Shiny Bear Tooth ;  Ruined Bear Pelt ;  Pearlescent Spider Fang ;  Spider Venom Sac ;  Intricately Patterned Spider Carapace ;  Spider Legs ;  Spider Mandible ;  Spider Silk ;  Ticking Companion ;  Bearfang Fists

Updated Quests: Ranger Epic 2.0: Aurora, the Heartwood Blade ;  Relic of Tides: Thelasas of the Relic

Updated Bestiary: Vicus Nonad ;  Haladorf Wuirgon ;  Balgros McMichael ;  Military Chest (hard) ;  an invading gnoll pup ;  Gosik

Here are some Friday night updates for you. Enjoy your weekend!

New Items: Brasse's Bitter Brew ;  Jagged Iridescent Sword ;  Jagged Iridescent Dagger ;  Privateer's Kraken Ring ;  True Heart Robe Ornament ;  Chair of Love Ornament ;  Robe of Lovers Embrace Ornament ;  Innoruuk's Spiked Heart Ornament ;  Stool of Love Ornament ;  Robe of Lovers Past Ornament ;  Raiment of Roses Ornament

New Recipe: Scroll: Zealous Light Rk. II

New Zone: Tirranun's Delve: Calling Emoush

New Bestiary: a Stillmoon charmer ;  a Stillmoon dirt tender ;  a Stillmoon forest warden ;  a Stillmoon granite keeper ;  a Stillmoon gravel warden ;  a Stillmoon harmony ;  a Stillmoon instigator ;  a Stillmoon laborer ;  a Stillmoon loremaster ;  a Stillmoon novice ;  a Stillmoon seer ;  a Stillmoon stone caster ;  a Stillmoon stone wing ;  a Stillmoon teacher ;  a Stillmoon wakemaker ;  a Stillmoon watcher ;  a Stillmoon water mage ;  a Stillmoon water servant ;  a Stillmoon waverusher ;  a Stillmoon witchdoctor ;  a Delve champion ;  Nethran pet ;  a Delve cleric ;  a Delve drake ;  a Delve evoker ;  a Delve shaman ;  a Delve sneak ;  unconscious mystic ;  a cave poisoner ;  a crevice weaver ;  a granite bishop ;  a granite defender ;  a granite sorcerer ;  a kirin way keeper ;  a Snowfoot antagonizer ;  a Snowfoot heathen ;  a Snowfoot shadow ;  an ascent cliff caster ;  an ascent conjurer ;  an ascent diviner ;  an ascent ice priest ;  an ascent ice wing ;  an ascent rock healer ;  an iron watcher

Updated Zones: Lavaspinner's Lair ;  Tirranun's Delve ;  The Ascent: Drake Eggs ;  Stillmoon Temple: Sickness of the Spirit

Updated Items: Wretched Skull Ring ;  Basilisk Stew ;  Pristine Kirin Brain ;  Impure Goblin Blood ;  Polished Anthracite ;  Silverwing Emblem

Updated Quests: Shadowknight Epic: Innoruuk's Curse ;  Beginner Researcher Test ;  Norrath's Keepers Tier 2a: Defend the Kirin Contact ;  Norrath's Keepers Tier 2a: Recover the Lost Map ;  Norrath's Keepers Tier 2a: Turn the Tides of the Sand ;  Norrath's Keepers Tier 2b: Sickness of the Spirit ;  Norrath's Keepers Tier 2c: Calling Emoush ;  Dark Reign Tier 2a: Army of Stone ;  Dark Reign Tier 2a: Blood from Sand ;  Dark Reign Tier 2a: Reap the Kirin Mind ;  Dark Reign Tier 2b: Drake Eggs ;  Dark Reign Tier 2c: Calling Emoush ;  TDS Progression #2: Gathering Clouds

Updated Bestiary: Joren Nobleheart ;  Bronto Thudfoot ;  Grachnist the Destroyer ;  Emoush the Destroyer ;  Mystic Shiflor ;  Mystic Griknok ;  Mystic Braggle ;  Goblin Cook ;  Goblin Servant ;  Goblin King ;  Higglin Diggerchop ;  Stillmoon Forest Keeper ;  Wong Li ;  a drake ;  Stormwheel

Here are today's updates:

New Items: Befallen Burial Vestment Ornament ;  Darkblood Shield Of Solusek Ro Ornament ;  Tower Shield of Veeshan's Fury Ornament ;  Cherry Rose Regal Lyre

New Bestiary: a Delve champion ;  a Delve cleric ;  a Delve drake ;  a Delve evoker

Updated Zones: Lavastorm Mountains ;  The Broodlands ;  The Ascent ;  Tirranun's Delve: Children of Gimblax ;  Tirranun's Delve: Have Note Will Travel

Updated Items: Statuae Clipium ;  Mask of the Praetorum ;  Facia Ortiatum ;  Medallion of the Praetorum ;  Rosi Auriun ;  Facia Lepiorus ;  Facia Nitori ;  Facia Ingens ;  Clipi Stella ;  Boiling Lavaspinner Blood ;  Slagheart's Tail ;  Shard of Increasing Power

Updated Bestiary: Goblin Task Master ;  a chest (Traitors Among Us) ;  a chest (#2 - Principal Quastori Numicia)

Updated Quests: Norrath's Keepers Tier 1a: Greed of the Goblins ;  Norrath's Keepers Tier 1a: Creating an Antidote ;  Norrath's Keepers Tier 1a: Burning Arrows ;  Norrath's Keepers Tier 1b: Children of Gimblax ;  Dark Reign Tier 1a: Blood of the Basilisk ;  Dark Reign Tier 1a: Clearing the Path ;  Dark Reign Tier 1a: The Burning Poison ;  Dark Reign Tier 1b: Have Note Will Travel