Today Sony Online Entertainment is announcing that a new expansion is under development for Everquest II called rise of Kunark. Rise of Kunark is the fourth expansion pack for Everquest II and is expected to launch on or around Nov 13 of this year at both retail stores and via download for $39.99.

Buyers that get the game in the retail store will also receive the base EQII game as well as the new expansion and the three previous expansion packs as well as a cockatrice house pet. Your guess is as good as mine is on the house pet.

"With Rise of Kunark, we're continuing to build on the high-quality content and rich, exciting environments that players experienced with Echoes of Faydwer," says Scott Hartsman, Senior Producer and Creative Director, Sony Online Entertainment. "By combining new content based on the original EverQuest with new races, zones, quests and items, we expect to deliver a deep and fun experience for EverQuest II veterans and new players alike."

The Rise of Kunark expansion brings a new playable race called the Sarna, which are a dragon-like humanoid race living in the jungles of Timourous Deep. Timourous deep is a new starting point for adventures as well with new content for levels 1-20. The level cap will be raised with the expansion to 80 allowing all players to keep playing. SOE promises hundreds of new quests in the Rise of Kunark expansion.