UPDATE 2:50pm ET: US servers are now up!

UPDATE 1:20pm ET: Latest word is that "There are still a few last minute things being tested but I've been assured things look good and should be available within the estimated time frame." (forums)

UPDATE 11am ET: Pre-orders have begun processing, we just got an email confirming ours!

All servers came down at 7am PT today for the Tears of Veeshan (GU68) patch. Estimated downtime is currently "less than" five hours. The full patch notes are after the jump and we will keep you updated as we hear server status news.

Your dedicated ZAM staff brings you our coverage of the expansion material to help guide you with the new content and features!

• Vesspyr Isles Quest Series & Zone Guide
• Tears of Veeshan Tradeskill Quests
• Channeler Class Guide
• Mercenary Slots
• ToV Interviews Part One & Part Two
• ToV Previews: Crafting & Adventuring
• All ZAM Coverage

You can check out the ZAM and EQ2Wire Beta image gallery by clicking the picture below!

Qeynos and Freeport are under assault by the forces of the Awakened. Kerafyrm has possession of the Tear of Veeshan. The commander of the New Combine army lay in his grave, with his daughter, Antonia Bayle, grief-stricken and alone.

The darkest days are coming to EverQuest II. Ages End is just around the corner.

Over the past month your EQII ZAM team has toiled away on the Beta server, working to bring you the coverage you’ve come to expect. We would like to offer our thanks to the assistance we received along the way. One ZAM contributor, Ratagnan, invested much of his time and energy into filling in missing quests, Advanced Solo zone walkthroughs, crafting information and much more. Heroes of Test was as awesome as always, having a fully equipped Tier 4 guild hall and members willing to lend a hand. Finally, our thanks to Feldon of EQ2Wire for sharing some of his dungeon screenshots with us!

Now, on to the good stuff...

Tradeskillers rejoice! EverQuest II's next expansion, Tears of Veeshan, has a lot of great tradeskill content. The Far Seas Trading Company is finally taking note of the Ethernere and needs your assistance, and we got all the details!

Check out some of the work that went into the art, animation and Channeler class in the new Tears of Veeshan Behind the Scenes video!

Tears of Veeshan is not the only thing launching on Tuesday, November 12. Game Update 68 is happening at the same time, which will add two new features: Tier 4 Guild Halls and Mercenary Slots. In the final part of our interview with the EverQuest II team we spoke to them about these features, tried to discern some information on the future and briefly discussed Player Studio.

Tears of Veeshan is quickly approaching, with less than one week remaining to pre-order EverQuest II's 10th expansion pack. As the launch date of Tuesday, November 12 looms, we took some time to speak with the EQII team about Tears of Veeshan and beyond.

The EverQuest II: Tears of Veeshan open beta will begin next week and now more information about what the expansion will include and the pre-orders are rolling in. Yesterday evening images for all the pre-order items were released and a short time ago Holly "Windstalker" Longdale posted a Producer's Letter, which had a few points of interest in it. Continue reading below for the full details!