Sony Online Entertainment has announced the newest expansions to their flagship MMORPGs, EverQuest and EverQuest II. The two expansion packs are entitled EverQuest: Seeds of Destruction, the fifteenth expansion pack for the title, and EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey, the fifth expansion pack for SOE's newer MMORPG. The expansion for the original EverQuest is slated for release on October 21 and the expansion for its younger brother will see the light of day on November 18.

"It is such a privilege to announce the upcoming expansions for two of our most popular games, EverQuest and EverQuest II, in a venue like Fan Faire where we are joined by thousands of our loyal fans, and it seems more than appropriate to give those fans access to both of the expansions for free," said John Smedley, president of Sony Online Entertainment. "Both of these expansions are rich in content and adventure, and will provide our players with hours of excitement as they explore the online world of Norrath."

In the newest EverQuest expansion, players will now be able to hire mercenary NPCs that scale to the player character's level and will require only minimal player guidance. Designed to support players in PvE encounters, these mercenaries will be selectable from a number of current classes and races. Players themselves will be able to reach level 85, which constitutes the new cap in the title. Much like other expansion packs, Seeds of Destruction also introduces a large amount of new quests, equipment, zones, and spells. Players who purchase Seeds of Destruction will gain access to the previous fourteen expansion packs, as well.

EverQuest II players have quite a bit to look forward to in their expansion, The Shadow Odyssey. While the standard level cap isn't seeing a boost, players will now have an achievement point cap of 200, and will have new, class-specific achievement lines. SOE has also introduced new deities to the game, Rodcet Nife and Anashti Sul. The Shadow Odyssey gives players access to twenty new zones, eighteen goal-based dungeons, and a new mission system that allows players to experience content they've done before in brand new ways. The expansion also introduces five new Heritage Quests, storytelling through battles and new quests, and a bartering system where characters can exchange void shards they've earned with a powerful band of erudites who have new armor and weapons. Players who purchase The Shadow Odyssey will also gain access to all previous expansion packs and adventure packs available in EverQuest II.

The biggest announcement for those at the SOE Fan Faire show, however, is the fact that both expansion packs will be provided for free to attendees. EverQuest and EverQuest II fans can look forward to their expansion packs in October and November, respectively.