Final dialogue of DON: https://everquest.allakhazam.com/db/quest.html?quest=3061 Another expansion with a vague ending, perhaps it is the same culprit? Some yet to be seen super-villain...
The origin of the curse was explained elsewhere. This thread goes more into detail: https://forums.daybreakgames.com/eq/index.php?threads/dodh-lore.261044/ TLDR: Mayong and Venril Sathir were behind the curse in the Nest. This also happens to be the same curse used on Emperor Draygun and his people in DoDH. Pages from the book containing the curse (The ShadowSpine) are what we use to upgrade our 2.0 to 2.5.
Really spoiler: When you tell Velks that tormax sends his thanks: [Sun May 10 20:03:48 2020] Velketor the Sorcerer says, 'Ah, so you have returned. And my king yet lives? Glorious news. I thank you. I will gladly tell you all that I know of the magic that is causing the dead to wander and the ice to move. I believe that it is not the ice itself that is so active, but the minute particles of velium that are diffused within the ice. Velium is easy to attune to magic. I believe that [someone] is performing a grand ritual that uses all of the unclaimed and tiny bits of velium on Velious in some dark way, for some dark [purpose].' [Sun May 10 20:04:08 2020] Velketor the Sorcerer says, 'Well, it is clearly dragon magic. I know that you will be inclined to disbelieve any accusations that I, as a storm giant, might make against the dragons. Our feud is older than your species and none of my people, nor any dragon, will let it die. But what I say is the truth. I know draconic magic, and that is what animates the velium. To what [purpose] I cannot precisely say. This is all that I know. I wish I could tell you more, but I must remain here to protect this place and be available should my people need me. I will help the Kromrif find a way to breach the ice and gain access to the lands beyond. We may have to dig much deeper than the old tunnels and enter the lands of our ancient foe in a way they will not predict, but we shall do so, eventually.' [Sun May 10 20:04:33 2020] Velketor the Sorcerer says, 'The only thing I can ascertain is that the magic causes the velium to vibrate. It moves with the power of the ritual, and the direction it moves is upward. I cannot even guess why this is the case. All I can say is that this is the strongest magic that I have sensed since the Sleeper was entombed. I fear what the dragons might be doing with this power. The fact that it is tinged with necromancy also disturbs me. This is what causes the dead to walk, but I cannot understand how that interacts with the other, primary power of the ritual. This is all I know, friend. When the time is right, return to Kael Drakkel and speak with our leaders. They will be able to show you the way forward. I thank you again for your help, now and in the future.'
