To be able to join raids in TSS EVERYONE has to complete the following:
Progression Introduction: The Serpent's Spine is the first expansion to require flagging for two separate linear progression lines. Requirements for Ashengate are Vergalid raid flag and ally faction. Ashengate West and East drop Mark of Vergalid (Vergalid credit) for backflags, and Ashengate North drops Mark of Ashengate (Ashengate E/W credit) for backflags. Frostcrypt progression does require some group missions in addition to raid credit but also requires ally faction for flagging. Frostcrypt 1 (FC1) drops Mark of Valdeholm (Credit for the three Raid Instances) for backflags, and Froscrypt 2 (FC2) drops Mark of Frostcrypt (FC1 Credit) for backflags. Both raids and faction can be 85/15'd, but draw from the same number of flagged vs. unflagged.
Traveling to zones in TSS can be achieved through: 1. PoK portal to Blightfire Moors, 2. Guild Hall portal to Goru`kar Mesa 3. Druid ports to Direwind Cliffs, Goru`kar Mesa, or The Steppes, 4. Wizard ports to Blightfire Moors, Icefall Glacier, or Sunderock Springs
Like Dragons of Norrath, progression for The Serpent's Spine is locked behind faction gates. There are many quests and ways to obtain this faction, but a streamlined path will be listed in the guide. The progression in this way is more non-linear in nature, and completion of faction is only limited by the requesting requirements.
-- Ashengate Progression --
The two Ashengate factions for raiding are Scholars of Solusek and Infiltrators and Traitors of Ashengate. Ally faction is required for Ashengate West and Ashengate East respectively, and both must be ally to be flagged for Ashengate North. Unfortunately, unlike Frostcrypt Progression, Ashengate faction is not earned from the first portion of raids in the series. +1100 required for Scholars of Solusek. +1250 required for Infiltrators and Traitors of Ashengate.
Scholars of Solusek Faction Missions (Ashengate West)
Jenray #1: Children of Flame
The zone guide below and the map will help you get to Jenray, Envoy of Ro to begin this quest line. Request phrase is "superiority." She will tell you to remove your weapon if you hail instead of just using the request phrase. If you don't, and you hail again - she attacks.
Starting Zone: Direwind Cliffs
NPC: Jenray, Envoy of Ro
Task: Children of Flame
Requirements: Solo task.
Notes: +125 Scholars of Solusek. Once completed with the series, this quest becomes repeatable.
Once you obtain the quest, you will have received an "Ashen Incubator." Head North to Ashengate, Reliquary of the Scale. Zone in, open the main door, and head through the West door into the first tower to find the drake eggs. Search up the ramp.
You will target the drake egg and click on the Ashen Icubator (must be equipped) to hatch it. Once hatched, you will target the drake hatchling and click on the incubator again to instantly capture it. Do this four times, and return to Jenray in Direwind Cliffs.
Deliver all four to Jenray
Jenray #2: A Daring Rescue!
Request phrase is "superiority." Head North to Ashengate. Zone in and head West again through the drake egg towers. Once you reach Hidaga's room, you will see different stone platforms. You are looking for an Arbiter of Ash (rare) or "an arbiter of ash." Note: Note! Items can be pre-looted Jenray #3, look at the notes below.
Starting Zone: Direwind Cliffs
NPC: Jenray, Envoy of Ro
Task: A Daring Rescue!
Requirements: Solo task.
Notes: +175 Scholars of Solusek. Collect the below two items for immediate completion of the 3rd quest in the line.
Once you dispatch the rare arbiter or the non-rare arbiter, your quest will update and Hidaga will spawn. She will give quest credit for up to 12 hails. She is located on the very bottom of the room where her icon is on the map. To exit the zone, gate, succor, or go North into the next room to and click the fixture on the North wall depicted on the right.
Jenray #3: Under Pressure
If you collected the two items prior to receiving this quest, this quest is near completed as soon as you request it. Turn the items in and you're good to go. If you didn't catch these in the prior mission, you need to zone into Ashengate, Reliquary of the Scale and go into the West wing.
Starting Zone: Direwind Cliffs
NPC: Jenray, Envoy of Ro
Task: Under Pressure
Requirements: Solo task
Notes: +225 Scholars of Solusek
Lava Ooze Glands drop from "a magma slime" and "a pile of ashen goo"
Solusek Diamonds drop from "a whirling sootshadow"
This is the path of least resistance to completing the faction requirements for Ashengate West progression. You can complete this mission set twice, and on the third completion of Jenray #1, you will have Ally Faction.
Infiltrators and Traitors of Ashengate Faction Missions (Ashengate East)
Zhubis #1: Sabotage
Zhubis is surrounded by many trained griffons that are non-KOS but will assist any other aggro'd enemies. Request phrase is "information." Grab the task, and you will receive a "Zhubis' Collectors Satchel." Head North to Ashengate, Reliquary of the Scale.
Starting Zone: Direwind Cliffs
NPC: Zhubis
Task: (Listen all y'all it's a) Sabotage
Requirements: Solo task.
Notes: +175 Infiltrators and Traitors of Ashengate. Ground spawns can be pre-looted for the next completion of this series if you wish. They seem to respawn relatively quickly. Worker's Pouch and Ashen Powder can not be pre-looted.
From zone in, head to the East wing and begin to kill Drakkin for a "Worker's pouch." Continue along the path to begin killing drakes for "Ashen Powder." On Brewall's maps, there will be several ground spawns in the area by the cliff. Pick one up for your "Magma Infused Crystal."
Combine all three in the bag to create a "Satchel of High-Powered Explosives." Run over the area near the ground spawns and your bag will automatically set a fuse and blow it up. Task completes.
Zhubis #2: Project Disarm
Request phrase is "information." Grab the task, and head back North into Ashengate. Head to the armory on the map below. You need to collect 8 of each of the four types of weapons. You will get credit for collection for destroying chests and weapon racks. Whips can also be looted from enemy NPCs.
Starting Zone: Direwind Cliffs
NPC: Zhubis
Task: Project Disarm
Requirements: Solo task
Notes: +200 Infiltrators and Traitors of Ashengate
Zhubis #3: The Weakest Link
Request phrase is "information." Grab the task, and head back North into Ashengate. Head to the Eggtenders and Eggs on the map below. You need to kill 15 eggtenders and destroy 5 eggs.
Starting Zone: Direwind Cliffs
NPC: Zhubis
Task: (You are) The Weakest Link
Requirements: Solo task
Notes: +225 Infiltrators and Traitors of Ashengate
This is the path of least resistance to completing the faction requirements for Ashengate East progression. You can complete this mission set twice, and on the third completion of Zhubis #1, you will have Ally Faction.
-- Frostcrypt Progression --
Frostcrypt progression requires ally faction with Wraithguard Leadership to begin. You can obtain this faction easily by attending the Valdeholm raids. If you are needing the faction prior to those raids, follow directly below. If you are already ally, skip to the blue banner below. If you have someone in the group already ally, and you are purely farming faction, see Fergarin #1 and #2 notes as an alternate means to increase faction.
Wraithguard Leadership Faction Missions (Skippable via Valdeholm Raids)
Wraithguard Thentil Strongarm - Runic Ivory / Armor Supplies (Dubious)
Prelootable. See Wraithguard Thentil Strongarm in Valdeholm to request the tasks. You'll head to Icefall Glacier. See the map below for bear and mammoth areas. Bears have a higher drop rate. Each four you turn in results in +50 Wraithguard Leadership faction.
Starting Zone: Valdeholm
NPC: Wraithguard Thentil Strongarm
Task: Runic Ivory / Armor Supplies
Requirements: Solo tasks. No faction requirement.
Notes: +50 Wraithguard Leadership for each stack of 4 Tusks/Pelts. Repeatable.
Wraithguard Lorekeeper Fenegar - Construction of Shadows (Dubious)
Starting Zone: Valdeholm
NPC: Wraithguard Lorekeeper Fenegar
Task: Construction of Shadows
Requirements: Dubious.
Notes: +50 Wraithguard Leadership. Rogues can SoS the entire task. 24 hour lockout.
The following tasks are listed here with a link to Raspers. I simply did not have time to work through all of the available quest lines. The above two tasks can get you to apprehensive, which opens you up to many more questing opportunities. This line of faction is almost wholly avoidable for non-raid pullers.
If you are Ally with Wraithguard Leadership, start here.
Frostcrypt progression requires ally faction with Wraithguard Leadership to begin. You can obtain this faction easily by attending the Valdeholm raids. If you are needing the faction prior to those raids, please see the Raid leader requirement post on the TSS forum.
Bypass Heimgul (Required to request group tasks)
Turn in 3 "Mark of Rallos Zek" to Wraithguard Heimgul to be able to travel to Fergarin Bardon I.
Starting Zone: Valdeholm
NPC: Wraithguard Heimgul
Task: None. Turn in only.
Requirements: Ally with Wraithguard Leadership
Notes: +50 Wraithguard Leadership. Rogues can SoS the entire task. 24 hour lockout.
Fergarin #1: Intercepted Correspondence
Fergarin Bardon I offers multiple questlines, but you'll want to use the request phrase "information" to start the group progression tasks. Accept the task, and then head to the door to the KOS area. Citizens can drop the required "incriminating note."
Starting Zone: Valdeholm
NPC: Fergarin Bardon I
Task: Intercepted Correspondence
Requirements: Group task. Ally with Wraithguard Leadership
Notes: You can pull this task solo. You can also add people to this task after requesting it. +50 Wraithguard Leadership to all in task. If you have multiple incriminating notes in the window, you can continue to request this task for additional turn ins to gain faction for those who need it. Drop the old task, use the request phrase, accept the task, and turn in. Repeat.
Loot the note and return it to Fergarin Bardon I. Note: You can task add others for faction prior to the turn in.
Fergarin #2: Lost Letter
Request phrase is "information" or "further assistance." Head back through the KOS area towards the North half of the zone. You are looking for "a master at arms," "a veteran," and "an armorer." Alternatively, most enemies in the North have a small chance to drop a "Sealed Letter."
Starting Zone: Valdeholm
NPC: Fergarin Bardon I
Task: Lost Letter
Requirements: Group task. Ally with Wraithguard Leadership
Note: You can pull this task solo. You can also add people to this task after requesting it. +50 Wraithguard Leadership to all in task. If you have multiple sealed letters in the window, you can continue to request this task for additional turn ins to gain faction for those who need it. Drop the old task, use the request phrase, accept the task, and turn in. Repeat.
Loot the letter and return it to Fergarin Bardon I. Note: You can task add others for faction prior to the turn in.
Fergarin #3: Confession
Request phrase is "information" or "complete the task." You will be heading to Direwind Cliffs. Telgrith, the Black Legion Captain spawns in the Northern area towards Ashengate beyond the Guardians of the Gate. Clear the area. Respawns are approximately 16:06.
Starting Zone: Valdeholm
NPC: Fergarin Bardon I
Task: Confession
Requirements: Group task. Ally with Wraithguard Leadership
Note: You can pull this task solo. You can also add people to this task after requesting it. +50 Wraithguard Leadership to all in task.
Kill Telgrith and return to Fergarin Bardon I. Note: You can task add others for faction prior to the hail.
Progression Complete