The world of Arkesia is a vast, varied, and fantastical realm to explore. In May’s Abyssal Assault update, Lost Ark players will explore the continent of Rimeria, one of the most mysterious locales in the game. Inhabited by the noble Yoz tribe, Rimeria is closed off to the rest of the world and remains mysterious and unknown to the rest of Arkesia. The Yoz are native to Rimeria and do not interact much with the outside world. They don’t use general magick or ancient science and have instead developed their own unique Illusions that are passed down throughout generations. The Yoz tribe loves and cherishes nature and animals more than any other inhabitants of Arkesia, and live in harmony with nature in nearly every aspect of their lives. This includes the houses they live in, the clothes they wear, and the Illusions they use. Yoz Illusions display their love of nature by tapping into the power of various animals such as wolves, rabbits, tigers, and foxes.
Of the highest importance to this tribe is upholding their oath and the completion of their mission, a mission that is the reason the continent is closed off to the rest of the world. Rimeria's reluctance to accept outsiders is because the Yoz have guarded a seal for millennia. Thousands of years ago, a massive rift opened within Rimeria. Monsters poured into the land, a force known as the Pitch Black Night. Many Yoz sacrificed their lives to stop the monsters, and after a long-fought battle they successfully held back the Pitch Black Night by sealing the rift. The ones who created this seal became the first Elders of Yoz, and the seal was named "Narr's Door" after one of those ancient heroes. The land was once again at peace, but the Yoz needed to remain constantly vigilant and ensure that the seal continued to hold back the evil contained within. In spite of guarding the seal for thousands of years, the resurgence of evil into Arkesia has resulted in countless large and small rifts appearing throughout the continent. Rimeria, also known as “The Land that Guards the Dawn,” is where the Yoz fight against the Pitch Black Night that is constantly threatening to engulf their continent and the rest of the world. The great seal of Narr’s Door is beginning to crack, and the nightmares of the past are about to leak back into Rimeria once more.
The team at Smilegate RPG, the developers of Lost Ark, wanted Rimeria to have a mysterious air to it, leading players to feel they are venturing into an unknown continent. So in designing the new zone, they aimed to create a place that felt very different from the existing lands that players have seen. Visually, Rimeria is unique in regards to how large of a role nature plays in its identity, and several areas in the zone reflect this design. For instance, there’s Yan’s Path, where a small port called Port Fran is connected to the sea. It is a beautiful, lush land where purple Ursali flowers flutter in the cool breeze. Connected to Port Fran by a the massive Bridge of Illusion is Shae, a city built over Akasha Lake. Shae is known for its unique and beautiful architecture, and is the home of the Yoz Elders. Even though it is a lively city, it is decorated by nature throughout including trees, flowers, and Rimeria’s unique glass crafts. In Shae, nature is cherished and both humans and animals live together in harmony within the city. And beyond Shae lies Nukman Valley, where the legendary Narr’s Door is located. This is where Yoz warriors train to protect the Dawn of Rimeria, and the land is steeped in the history of those who have come before and fought back the Pitch Black Night.
As the story of Lost Ark unfolds and the world of Arkesia expands, Rimeria is the latest region for players to explore and uncover its secrets. But the Abyssal Assault update also brings additional content, including updates to raids, special events, and more! For more on Lost Ark’s latest update, please read the Abyssal Assault Release Notes, and to stay on top of the latest Lost Ark news, be sure to check the official Lost Ark website.
