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Ragnarok Online<tr><td colspan="2" style="font-size: 100%; text-align: center;"></td></tr>
Developer(s)	Gravity Corp. <tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Publisher(s)</th><td>Gravity Corp.</td></tr>
Release date(s)	KOR August 31, 2002</br>JPNDecember 1, 2002</br>INT/NAJune 1, 2003</br>December, 2004 (Oceania) April, 2006 (Spain-South America)
Genre(s)	MMORPG
Mode(s)	Multiplayer <tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Rating(s)</th><td>ESRB: Teen (T)</td></tr>
Platform(s)	Windows <tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Media</th><td>Download/CD</td></tr><tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">System requirements</th><td>Intel Pentium 500 MHz equiv. CPU, 128MB RAM, Internet access, DirectX 8, 8MB graphics card, sound card, 1GB+ hard drive space</td></tr><tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Input</th><td>Keyboard, mouse</td></tr>

Ragnarok Online (Korean: 라그나로크 온라인, abbreviated RO) is an MMORPG created by Gravity Corp. of South Korea and powered by Aegis. Much of the background of the game is based on the manhwa Ragnarok by Lee Myung-Jin. The soundtrack is provided by SoundTeMP. An anime was created, Ragnarok The Animation, which is based on the game. Most of the game's mythos is based on Norse mythology, but contains many references to other cultures, such as that of Japan and Africa. A sequel is currently in development, Ragnarok Online 2: The Gate of the World.

Contents 1 Versions 2 Basics 2.1 War of Emperium 3 Geography 3.1 Rune-Midguard 3.2 Glast Heim 3.3 The Yggdrasil Tree 3.4 Nifflheim 3.5 Schwartzvald Republic and Rekenber Corporation 4 Jobs 4.1 Novices 4.2 First Jobs 4.3 2-1 Jobs 4.4 2-2 Jobs 4.5 Transcendent Classes 5 Cities 6 Music 6.1 The memory of RAGNAROK 7 Server types 7.1 Sakray 7.2 Urdr 8 Parodies 9 See also 10 External links 10.1 Game archive and review sites

[edit] Versions

Currently, there are official versions of the game in Korean (often known as kRO), Japanese (jRO), English (International RO or iRO), Thai (tRO), Chinese (cRO), Indonesian (idRO), Filipino (pRO), Brazilian Portuguese (bRO), and Bahasa Melayu (mRO). There are also versions for players in Russia (rRO), India (RO India), Oceania (oRO), Germany, Italy, Austria, Turkey, France, United Kingdom and Switzerland (European RO or euRO), as well as a recently released Hispanic version (ROh). The game is continually being revised and revamped, having new features added periodically. Many official licensed versions are now pay-to-play.

[edit] Basics

The MMORPG is set in the world of Rune-Midgard. For the most part, the game lacks a plotline, but there are small side-quests or events set up by the administrators of the game sporadically to add depth and maintain interest.

The game's tutorial does mention that there is a war between man and monsters, an accurate observation given the fact that experience is given to the player when they kill monsters. However, warring is not limited to man versus monster combat, as ingame guilds can fight against each other in the War of Emperium (abbreviated WoE), a battle between several guilds for castles in town, which give them access to dungeons and treasures that are not accessible to people who are not in the residing guild.

The currency of the game is "zeny", which may be obtained by the selling of items recovered from defeating monsters. The economy in Ragnarok Online is driven heavily by rare items that are not sold in stores and there is a very large difference in wealth between players, for the most part and in part with the effects of the players and discounted items as well as competitive pricing as with most games. The Merchant class offers vending of items to other players, overcharging of items, and even discounts, although the advanced stalker class can get an even larger discount.

There are eight equipment slots - three for headgear (top, middle and bottom), two for accessories, and one of each for shields, weapons, body armor, cloaks and footgear. Currently, only the 3 head pieces show significant external graphic variety. Weapon and shield are the only other items that can be seen externally, but are significantly more limited in variety.

Each character has an HP bar and an SP bar. The HP (Hit Points) bar represents the character's health. When HP is reduced to 0, the character "dies" and is returned to the city that the character had set their save point to. This also results in an experience reduction of 1%, though this does not apply for the Novice class. Spell Points (SP) are needed to use many job-related skills. A character with 0 SP may not use any skills that require SP. Both HP and SP regenerate on their own when the character is at rest (not moving), and at twice the speed if the character is sitting down. However, if the character holds more than 50% of their total weight capacity, they cannot automatically regain HP/SP. The regeneration speed of HP and SP depends on the Vitality and Intelligence attributes, respectively.

The game is very open-ended; after completing novice training, players are free to roam the map at their leisure, with the only restriction being the ferocity of the monsters in a given area. Low-leveled players generally have to stay close to towns, lest the enemies become too powerful for them to handle.

In addition, players have complete control over their Stats (Strength, Agility, Vitality, Intelligence, Dexterity, and Luck) and Skills (class-based) to create the type of character they want to play.

[edit] War of Emperium

During certain days of each week, for two hours the event called, "War of Emperium", referred to as WoE, takes place. Guilds that have obtained the Seal of Approval skill, may attempt to enter castles that are located in one of four castle grounds, which contain five castles in each. In the deepest part of each castle resides the Emperium, if a guild breaks another guild's Emperium, they take control of the castle, and it removes all players other than those of the guild that broke the Emperium. Holding a castle is an accomplishment, this will put you to the test against hundreds of other players and guilds. The guild that holds a castle at the end of the WoE will have it until the next WoE, and gain special advantages.

[edit] Geography

[edit] Rune-Midguard

Rune Midgard (Rune Midgarts in other localizations) lives under the King Tristan's reign since humans defeated monsters in the last holy war. The castle is located in Prontera where Tristan lives and organizes the War of Emperium, giving the possibility to the warriors to govern parts of the kingdom and its sub-castles located in Prontera, Geffen, Al De Baran, and Payon.

[edit] Glast Heim

The ruins of Glast Heim are of a former Rune Midgard city that was defeated, destroyed and totally taken by evil forces; many believe all of Rune Midgard will be overtaken if no action is taken. A complete castle, church and chivalry exists in ruins with very powerful monsters around. The ruins are located near Geffen. Glast Heim was planned and built by Al de Baran. Al de Baran was trying to make Glast Heim known as the "Heaven of Earth". Unfortunately, the war with Titans brought this beautiful city to abandonment and for many years it has been haunted by the Dark Lord. There are still many mysteries that lies in this isolated city. One of the real points proving it was built by Al de Baran is outside the clock tower with Bell Tower Keeper A.

[edit] The Yggdrasil Tree

Yggdrasil is the source and symbol of life and vitality among the humans of Rune Midgard. The Yggdrasil berry in the game restores both HP/SP fully in game. The seed of the tree restores 50% of a player's HP/SP, and the leaf of the Yggdrasil tree restores a dead player back to life.

Yggdrasil is found near Umbala, and directly connected to Nifflheim, the city of death.

[edit] Nifflheim

The place for where all the deceased go; a spiritual plane of sorts. There is a phantom village filled with humans, spirits, and the undead, and a field cursed by immoral humans and dark spirits.

There is a path from Nifflheim to the Tree of Life, Yggdrasil.

[edit] Schwartzvald Republic and Rekenber Corporation

Episode 10 of Ragnarok Online deals with the continent north of Rune-Midgard. Characterized by highlands and cliffs, Schwartzvald is currently home to Juno, Einbroch, Einbech, Lighthalzen, and Hugel. The dominating presence of the region is the indefatigable Rekenber Corporation, an all-around enterprise that makes many products for the people of Schwartzvald and has ties to the government. With its headquarters located in Lighthalzen, the company is responsible for nearly all the quests, "storyline," and dungeons throughout episode 10. Ever-present, corrupt, and powerful, Rekenber essentially controls the mining towns of Einbroch and Einbech, was the cause for the creation of the abandoned Biolabs in Lighthalzen (home to quite possibly the most difficult map in the game), and took the initiative to renovate the fearsome Thanatos Tower, opening it to the public. Amidst their activities are countless stories of deception, cruel experiments, and grisly deaths. A large number of quests is spread out throughout episode 10, with many continuing where others leave off, and most being dedicated to exposing or simply learning about Rekenber's terrible offenses against the unsuspecting society. This tangled web of deceit and corruption is by far the largest "story" element that Ragnarok has to offer, as few other quests have any sort of relation to any other quest.

[edit] Jobs

[edit] Novices

• Novice: All players start in the game's first class, the novice. Novices are, as their name implies, largely a tutorial class built for allowing new players to get the general feel of the game. Novices originally only had one ability, called Basic Skills, which as it is leveled progressively increases the number of functions the player is able to use, such as the joining of chat rooms, the use of Kafra Storage, and the use of emoticons. After the end of beta, novices were additionally able to learn two other skills, First Aid and Play Dead, by completing special quests. When Basic Skills reaches level 9, a novice becomes eligible to change jobs, an opportunity most players make use of, unless they wish to become a Super Novice.

[edit] First Jobs

• Swordman
  • Guild: Swordman Association, Izlude
  • Combat Style: Melee Combatant

The typical fighter class, Swordmen are the strongest physical attackers of the first jobs. Swordmen excel at melee combat due to their strong attacks and physical defense. This job's skills focus on increasing the physical attack power of the character or allowing the swordman to withstand more damage.

• Magician
  • Guild: Mage Guild, Geffen
  • Combat Style: Offensive Spellcaster

As swordmen are the fighters of Ragnarok, magicians are the black mages. Magicians are extremely weak in melee combat, but compensate for it with the use of powerful magic. As a result, they are most effective in a party with another, more melee-capable character, in front of them, such as a swordman. This job's skills almost entirely are offensive magic, including the three basic elements of fire, water and wind.

• Archer
  • Guild: Archer Guild, Payon
  • Type: Ranged Combatant

Archers are simple ranged attackers, though they lack the affinity with nature commonly associated with a ranger class. Archers excel at defeating their enemies from a safe distance where they are not directly in harm's way. This job's skills focus on increasing the range and accuracy of the character's ranged attacks or allow the character multiple strikes simultaneously. With only five non-quest skills, archer is the only job where a player may master all of the skills of the class prior to his or her job change.

• Merchant
  • Guild: Merchant Association, Alberta
  • Combat Style: Melee Combatant

An archetype which may be unique to Ragnarok, Merchants forgo physical or magical abilities to gain a number of economic and financial benefits in the game, such as the ability to change the buy/sell prices of NPC stores for themselves or to set up stores with the Vending skill. Merchants do have some physical attack power, and possess the powerful Mammonite attack skill, allowing them to do additional damage through the use of zeny.

• Thief
  • Guild: Thief Guild, Pyramid, Morroc
  • Combat Style: Melee Combatant

A staple in any RPG, the thief implements the thief archetype. Thieves excel in their speed, using their skills to hit multiple times a turn while not being hit by their enemies. They are often physically weak however and are generally not the primary attackers in parties if a swordman is present.

• Acolyte
  • Guild: Prontera Sanctuary, Prontera
  • Combat Style: Supportive Spellcaster and/or Melee Combatant

The healers of Ragnarok, the acolyte job implements both the white mage and cleric archetypes simultaneously. Some Acolytes choose to pursue the former route, permanently taking a subservient position within parties by being "full support" and only focusing on supportive magic, while others focus on the latter and its combat implications. The great disparity between those these two interpretations of the acolyte class reflects the disparity between the second-level jobs that an acolyte can become, either the supportive priest or the physical attacking monk.

• Super Novice
  • Guild: Super Novice Association, Al de Baran
  • Combat Style: Any, but usually Melee Combatant

Prior to the introduction of the super novice class, there were a number of players who attempted to get to level 99 as a novice, for various personal reasons or for bragging rights. In response to this, a special character class, the super novice, was created for them. The super novice class retains most of the features of the novice class, but is also able to learn almost all of the skills associated with the other first job classes, with the exception of those requiring weapons novices are not proficient with, such as a bow or a two-handed sword. Unlike the other first-level jobs, there are no corresponding second-level jobs and super novices are not able to transcend. The maximum job level for super novices, however, is 99, allowing for great flexibility on the part of the player in the skills he or she chooses to learn. Becoming a super novice requires base level 45 in addition to the normal requirement of Basic Skills level 9.

• Taekwon Boy/Taekwon Girl
  • Guild: None
  • Combat Style: Melee Combatant

The first of the Extended Classes, the Taekwon Boy or Taekwon Girl are martial artists of the martial art of Taekwondo. To this end, they are not able to use any weapons, though they may equip most types of armor. Implemented into iRO in September 2006 as part of Episode 10.3 Noghalt, they are the newest first job to iRO. While there is no formal guild for this class as there is for the other classes, a player may choose this job in Payon.

• Gunslinger
  • Guild: Gunslinger Guild, Einbroch
  • Combat Style: Ranged Combatant

The second of the Extended Classes, gunslingers use guns of all varieties to inflict damage upon their enemies from a distance. There are no second jobs for the gunslinger job and gunslingers are unable to transcend, but to make up for this the maximum job level for gunslingers is 70 rather than the usual 50. Gunslingers have not been implemented into iRO as of November 27, 2006, but are expected to be implemented in Episode 10.4 Hugel.

• Ninja
  • Guild: Ninja Guild, Amatsu
  • Combat Style: Ranged Combatant and/or Offensive Spellcaster

The third of the Extended Classes, ninja specialize in using a combination of elemental magic of the three primary elements and throwing kunai and shuriken at their enemies. Like gunslingers, there are no second jobs for ninja and ninja cannot transcend. Also like gunslingers, they compensate for this by having a maximum job level of 70 rather than the normal 50. Ninja have not been implemented in iRO as of November 27, 2006, but are expected to be implemented in Episode 10.4 Hugel.

• The Death Knight and Dark Collector classes have been added to Asian Sakray servers in recent patches. Little information is known about them at this time.

[edit] 2-1 Jobs

• Knight
  • Guild: Prontera Chilvalry, Prontera
  • Combat Style: Melee Combatant

As the 2-1 job for swordmen, the power of knights lies in their incredible durability and physical strength. Like crusaders, knights can also learn to ride on a Peco Peco to increase their movement speeds. However, unlike crusaders, knights generally do not use magic in the typical sense, using their SP for special abilities that increase their combatworthiness. Moreover, knights seldom use shields, typically preferring to use two-handed swords or spears.

• Wizard
  • Guild: Wizard Guild, Geffen
  • Combat Style: Offensive Spellcaster

Just as the knight improves on the physical aspect of the swordman, so too does the wizard improve upon the magical aspect of the magician. The wizard is the master of arcane magic, existing solely to bend all of the elements to his or her will. Whereas a sage would concentrate on more practical applications of magic, the wizard's goal is to increase the amount of damage he or she is able to do, and this is reflected in the large number of additional spells at the wizard's disposal.

• Hunter
  • Guild: Hunter Guild, Payon
  • Combat Style: Ranged Combatant

While the affinity with nature is all but absent in the archer class that precedes it, the hunter is as pure a ranger as they come. Making use of traps and a pet falcon, hunters rely on creatively dispatching their enemies rather than melee combat.

• Blacksmith
  • Guild: Blacksmith Association, Geffen
  • Combat Style: Melee Combatant

The blacksmith is the 2-1 job option for merchants. Like alchemists, blacksmiths focus on the production of items, although whereas alchemists produce potions, blacksmiths produce weapons and armor. The weapon and armor production skills are complemented by an array of skills meant to boost physical attack power, providing an overall well-rounded melee combat class.

• Priest
  • Guild: Prontera Sanctuary, Prontera
  • Combat Style: Supportive Spellcaster and/or Melee Combatant

Priests are the logical extension of the "full support" acolyte. With a large amount of supportive magic at their disposal, priests are strong support characters in a party. Some priests have chosen to take a path similar to that of a monk, though due to the addition of the latter class, this has been less common.

• Assassin
  • Guild: Assassin Guild, Sograt Desert
  • Combat Style: Melee Combatant

Whereas rogues focus on the brigand aspect of the thief class, assassins focus on the speed aspect. Assassins rely on dodging attacks and attacking quickly rather than being particularly strong. Assassins (and their transcended Assassins Cross) are the only class able to equip a weapon in each hand.

• Taekwon Master
  • Guild: Louyang
  • Combat Style: Melee Combatant

Known as Kwonsung' in other localizations, these are Taekwons who have mastered their skills, and can convert a book's power.

[edit] 2-2 Jobs

• Crusader
  • Guild: Prontera Sanctuary, Prontera
  • Combat Style: Melee Combatant and Supportive Spellcaster

The disparity between crusaders and knights is similar to the disparity between priests and monks in that there are two distinctly different ways to play as the first job, the swordman. In the case of the crusader, the swordman is willing to forgo some of the benefits of being a perfect physical warrior in order to gain the use of holy and supportive magic. In addition, crusaders adopt the use of shields and one-handed swords, a tactic all but absent among knights, due to the preference for two-handed swords or spears in the skill set of the knight class.

• Sage
  • Guild: Sage Academy, Juno
  • Combat Style: Offensive and Supportive Spellcaster

While wizards gain additional spells and an increased potential to cause damage, sages gain skills such as the ability to cancel spells mid-cast or to move while charging to increase the versatility and usability of the spells they already possess. While the sage class has a markedly different playing style than the wizard class, the similarities between the two classes are great and the differences are relatively minor compared to those of the other 2-2 jobs versus their 2-1 counterparts.

• Bard
  • Guild: None
  • Combat Style: Supportive Spellcaster

The 2-2 Job for male archers, bards are the musicians of Rune-Midgard. Unlike archers, who were ranged attackers, bards are a much more supportive class, using their music to increase the power of the other members of their party. One can adopt the bard job in Comodo.

• Dancer
  • Guild: None
  • Combat Style: Supportive Spellcaster

The 2-2 job for female archers, dancers are the visual accompaniment to the music of the bard. The dancer class is very similar to the bard in all but aesthetics, although if both are present in a party their ability to improve the party's strength is even greater still. One can adopt the dancer job in Comodo.

• Alchemist
  • Guild: Alchemist Association, Al de Baran
  • Combat Style: Offensive and Supportive Spellcaster

The 2-2 job for merchants, alchemists possess a markedly different playing style than the more physical merchant and blacksmith classes, relying more on the usage of summoning monsters or using attack items to cause damage than melee combat. Alchemists also possess the ability to create potions similar to the way blacksmiths are able to create weapons and armor. As of Episode 10.2 Lighthalzen, implemented into iRO in March 2006, Alchemists are able to summon Homunculi to fight for them, greatly increasing the combat-worthiness of the class.

• Rogue
  • Guild: Paros Lighthouse, Comodo Field
  • Combat Style: Melee Combatant

Whereas assassins focus specifically on the speed aspect of thieves, rogues focus more on continuing the development of one's capacity for law-breaking behavior, from improving the ability to steal from monsters to the flagrant vandalism of the Scribble skill.

• Monk
  • Guild: St. Capitolina Abbey, Prontera Field
  • Combat Style: Melee Combatant

Unlike priests, which focus on supporting warriors of other sorts, monks take their acolyte supportive abilities and apply them to become better warriors themselves. A much more violent and melee-oriented class than priests, monks are not a particularly party-friendly class, as they generally do not have the ability to support anyone other than themselves, though they are very good at this task. Nonetheless, as the class is open to interpretation by the players who take it, there are players who have chosen to forgo this mold and be an active members of parties, regardless of their class's general inability to support other warriors.

• Soul Linker
  • Guild: None
  • Combat Style: Melee Combatant and Supportive Spellcaster

Soul Linkers are taekwon boys and taekwon girls who have given up the martial art in favor of the continued development of their spiritual abilities. While they retain their ability to use taekwondo in combat, the skills of this job focus on increasing the powers of other classes either by bestowing, temporarily, additional skills upon them or enhancing the potency ones they already have. Like taekwon boys, taekwon girls and taekwon masters, there is no formal guild for soul linkers, though one may take the job in Morroc.

[edit] Transcendent Classes

There are those who passed the test given to them by the messenger of the gods: the Valkyrie. Their prize is to be reborn, and to be taught by the gods themselves in their second life on Midgard.

• Assassin Cross: A more elite group of Assassins who are taught a secret technique: poisoning themselves to strengthen their body. More agile than the normal Assassins, these are very powerful with their splash damaging Meteor Assault and Soul Breaker which is both a magic and physical attack.

• Biochemist: A bit of a darker side of Alchemists, not only do they create potions, but they also are able to summon monsters to do their bidding. With their powerful potions, they now use the skills Acid Demonstration to deal high damage to those with high VIT and Full Chemical Protection to help stop their equipment from being destroyed by others. Known as Creator in kRO.

• Champion: Though given another chance by the Gods, the monks once again turn to training their physical strength and ignoring the call to help others. Now with the power of the Gods, they are able to strike and kill in one hit. Champions are truly a powerful class and deadly killer.

• Gypsy: With more lithe and agile bodies granted by the Gods, Gypsies are hard to resist especially when one begins her dance. Not a single drop of sweat can be seen. Every dance and movement seemingly effortless. Graceful dance is her specialty, dancing gracefully to lure the monster to its death.

• High Priest: Despite the many skills taught to them by the Priests of Prontera Church, these men and women still need to learn a few more from the Gods themselves. Now able to create areas where no violence may occur, they are able to heal more, bless more and serve even more. They are truly a gift from the Gods.

• High Wizard: Once a wizard is taught secrets from the Gods, they become one of the Elite. Being able to cast faster, they deal even more damage than before. Wreaking havoc in battle, they kill faster with their damage enhancing skills.

• Lord Knight: Even stronger, some Knight's lust for strength leads them down the path of a Berserker where their rage consumes them until death. Others manage to calm themselves before death takes them. As always, these men of strength are always at the front lines of the king's army.

• Master Smith: Stronger versions of Blacksmiths, they forge more and refine easier. They deal larger amounts of damage with Cart Termination and can destroy their enemies armor and weapons. Known as Whitesmith on kRO.

• Minstrel: Taught new songs by the Gods themselves, Minstrels are now a powerful class. They are able to enchant the enemy with different music and deal large amounts of damage using Arrow Vulcan before the effect wears out. Known as Clown on kRO.

• Paladin: An even stronger version of Crusaders. They now have skills such as Pressure to deal damage to those who disbelieve in God and Battle Chant to help themselves and their friends.

• Scholar: After being taught more by the Gods, the former Sages can now even manipulate magic other than changing the elements of the earth. They can now do heaps of damage, and has control over the spiritual power of one. Known as Professor on kRO.

• Sniper: First thought to wield guns, Snipers are the advanced class of Hunters. No longer focused on merely bows and arrows nor traps, these men now focus on their lifelong friend, the falcon. When friendship strengthens, so does their power.

• Stalker: Stalkers are masters of hiding and stealth. They can be right behind you and you would never know. They were originally trained to spy upon the Assassins for the Rogue guild but refusing, they now roam alone through the lands.

[edit] Cities

Main article: List of Ragnarok Online locations

There are many major cities in Rune-Midgard, the world of Ragnarok Online. Players may visit them by paying the Kafra service to warp them, taking the airship from Yuno or train from Einbroch and Einbech, being teleported by a priest with the appropriate warp point, or by walking through the maps in between.

Al de Baran (most commonly in-game as Aldebaran, but officially "Al de Baran") 

Due north of Prontera, with its large clock tower dungeon, Al de Baran is the only path to Lutie: via Santa Claus. The Alchemist guild can be found here. It is a popular gathering spot for many high level characters, lending an aura of conceit to its community.

Alberta 

A port city to the east of Payon, and home of the Merchant class. Alberta's port is the only means of accessing Sunken Ship, Turtle Island, Amatsu, Gonryun, Ayothaya, and Louyang, excluding teleportation.

Amatsu 

Styled after Ancient Japan, here the pink-white blossoms of the cherry (sakura) trees are always in bloom. One of the city's major attractions is the Tatami Maze. Amatsu was the first product of the Global Project, in which new cities with themes based on countries with licensed RO servers were added in rapid succession. Added to iRO in September 2004.

Ayothaya 

Like Gonryun, designed in Ancient Thai style. It features the atmosphere of the former Thai capital in Ayutthaya period. It is home to the Ayothaya Dungeon which is the home of the local monster which is a supposedly a shapeshifter. Ayothaya is the fourth and last city of the Global Project. Added to iRO in April 2005.

Comodo 

Gambling capital of the southwest, Comodo is a cross between Hawaii and Las Vegas. Night is eternal in the city, as it lies in a cave, and fireworks can be seen in the sky at all times. Comodo's main attraction is the infamous Seal Beach, and its casino. The Bard and Dancer classes can be accessed here, as well as the finishing portion of the Taekwon Master job quest. Added to iRO in August 2003.

Einbech 

A small mining town reached only by foot or train, and satellite city to Einbroch. In the game's history, Einbech was settled first, and Einbroch was annexed as a factory site. However, Einbroch quickly outgrew Einbech, and lives off of its profits, leaving it a poor mining town. The Einbech Mine Dungeon is located here. Added to iRO October 2005, as a set with Einbroch.

Einbroch 

A city made from steel, supposedly one of the first cities in the Schwartzvald Republic to go through an industrial revolution. Einbroch is heavily polluted, and lives mainly off of the profit from work in Einbech. Added to iRO October 2005.

Geffen 

Northwest of Prontera, and home of the Magician, Wizard, and Blacksmith classes. Geffen Tower, located in the center of town, holds a small dungeon that once was ideal for low-leveled vitality-based characters until populated with Hunter Flies. Glast Heim to the north is occasionally considered a dungeon of Geffen, as it is nearby and not particularly difficult to reach.

Gonryun/Kunlun 

Designed in Ancient Taiwanese style, and known as Kunlun outside of iRO. In October 2004, Gonryun became the second city in the Global Project to be added to iRO.

Hugel/Noghalt 

A small 'Garden City' town that currently serves an entrance to the Odin Dungeon as well as holding the Hunter class. It was added on January 2006 to kRO, but has not yet been implemented in iRO. Located near the Hugel Fields on the Destin's Glorious Kingdom.

Jawaii 

Commonly nicknamed the "Honeymoon Island." Most married couples go here to celebrate their marriage; only married players are allowed here. Single players may only reach Jawaii's pub for a drink. Added to iRO in March 2005.

Juno (commonly in-game as "Yuno," but officially Juno) 

A large city north of Al de Baran, and the capital of the Schwartzvald Republic, a kingdom separate from Rune-Midgard. The Sage class can be accessed here. In the northwest corner of the city, characters may rebirth and become Transcendant Classes. Added to iRO in May 2004.

Lighthalzen 

A city of commerce and research with a surprisingly dark history, Lighthalzen is the home of the Rekenber Corporation, which owns the Bio Labs. Lighthalzen also has a section of slums, in contrast to the rest of the wealthy city. Added in June 2005 to kRO, and implemented in iRO as of March 21st, 2006.

Louyang 

Designed in Ancient Chinese style, based on the ancient capital of the Shang and part of the Zhou dynasty. Added to iRO in March 2005, as the third city in the Global Project.

Lutie 

Also known as Christmas Town, Lutie is the home of Santa Claus and contains the Toy Factory. As suggested by its name, it snows constantly and many Christmas-themed enemies and items are found here.

Morroc 

A desert-themed city southwest of Prontera, themed after Egypt. Novices can become Thieves in the Pyramids just northwest of Morroc, and Assassins or Rogues in the temples and dunes south of the city. Taekwon Boys/Girls can become Soul Linkers by talking to the young boy inside the tavern.

Nifflheim 

City of the dead. There are many kinds of powerful Undead and Demon monsters here, and the city may only be reached through Umbala's Yggdrasil Tree. Added to iRO in December 2004.

Payon 

The village of the Taekwon class, often disliked since its remodeling. This city is an allusion to ancient Korean culture and located southeast of Prontera and west of Alberta. Novices can become Taekwon Boys/Girls here by talking to the Monk located south of the smithery, and Taekwon Boys/Girls begin their quest to become Taekwon Masters here as well.

• Archer Village 

  A small village connected to Payon, where one can become an Archer. It can also be called the satellite city of Payon. The Payon Caves located here are a popular choice to level first class characters.

Prontera 

The capital city of Rune-Midgard, located approximately in the center of the world. It is a center of player commerce, as well as home to the Acolyte, Knight, Priest, and Crusader classes. Prontera contains the only official church in the game, and is the place to become married. It is the easiest place for many novices to start, due to the abundance of low-level creatures, and most characters automatically enter Rune-Midgard through here.

• Izlude 

  The satellite of Prontera, Izlude is the official home of the Swordman class. Izlude's port is also the only method through which one can reach Byalan Island and Jawaii, the latter of which is also known as the Honeymoon Island.

Rael (Also known as Rachel) 

Added on 30/05/06 kRO Patch, it is the main city of the Arunafeltz religious country. It appears to be a desert town based on Arabian culture, possibly Turkey. It is surrounded by the desert-scened Arunafeltz Fields. Not far is the illusive Ice Dungeon, with monsters that fit the environment. It has now been implemented completely to kRO on July 10, 2006 (July 11 Korea) as the capital of the country Arunafeltz.

St. Capitolina Abbey 

A small, solemn collection of shrines east by northeast of Prontera, where the Monk class may be found.

Umbala 

A lost village located to the north of Comodo. Home of the self-denominated Utan tribe, and the Yggdrasil Tree, the only path to Nifflheim without a teleport. Added to iRO in November 2004.

[edit] Music

The background music of Ragnarok Online currently consists of 95 individual tracks, composed and arranged by Lee Seock-Jin, Kwon Goo-Hee, Kwok Dong-Il, Jang Seong-Woon, Park Jin-Bae, and Park Soo-Il of Sound TeMP; and recorded and mixed by Kwon Goo-Hee, Hong Seong-Ho, also of Sound TeMP, and Park Chang-Su of Hankook Recording Studio. Similarly to the game itself, the game's music spans a wide variety of genres and musical styles, including trance, techno, jazz, rock, and orchestral. New tracks are added as new areas are added to the game. Although the track numbers currently go up to 98, track 32 does not seem to exist.

[edit] The memory of RAGNAROK

Main article: The memory of RAGNAROK

A limited edition physical two-disc original soundtrack album titled "The memory of RAGNAROK" Ragnarok Online Original Sound Track has been released. The album also features vocal arrangements of certain pieces, performed by Lee Seung-Yeon, Lee Jeong-Hee, and Seo Ji-Hae. The album's booklet features text in Korean, Chinese, English, and Japanese.

The album's page is currently taking orders. A site account is required to reserve a copy. Along with purchase, a player's account will be allowed to obtain the special "Note Headgear," which resembles oversized headphones. Additionally, drawings will be held to give away the Ghostring, Devilring, and Evil Snake Lord Cards.

[edit] Server types

[edit] Sakray

Sakray is a term most commonly used to distinguish between the various Korean Ragnarok Online computer servers. The Sakray server is a "test" server, where new features, content, and bug-fixes are tested on a large scale with thousands of users before being placed into a package suitable for licensing to other companies. While the Sakray game servers are mostly stable, it is accepted that the entire virtual world housed within them may change at any time based solely upon the whim of the Gravity Corp. development team.

[edit] Urdr

Urdr is the name of the player-killing enabled server created on kRO. Several other licensed versions of the game now also feature an Urdr server.

[edit] Parodies

VG Cats has several comic strips dedicated to RO, namely "Working On Your Knees", "Cat's Got Your...Oh Wait...", "Helm, The Other White Meat" and "Magic Beans" (strips 66 and 76, respectively.)

[edit] See also

• Ragnarok The Animation, an Anime based on the game
• Ragnarok Flash Animation, a cartoon by Gameflier
• Gravity Corp.
• Level Up! Games
• Ragnarok, a Manhwa that served as basis for the game
• Ragnarok Online 2, a sequel to the game
• Ragnarok Battle Offline, a doujin brawler

[edit] External links

• Ragnarok Online global portal
• Official International Ragnarok Online Site
• RagnaInfo - A Ragnarok Online Wikipedia

[edit] Game archive and review sites

• Ragnarok Online at MobyGames
• Ragnarok Online at GameFAQs
• Ragnarok Online at Metacriticca:Ragnarok Online

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