The Loremaster

Well, I did it. It was a daunting task, trivial at times, and pure grindage at other times. There was a lot of gathering, traveling, hunting, traveling, reading, and traveling. Did I mention traveling?

I completed over 3000+ quests and that was just in the Eastern Kingdoms, Kalmidor, and Outland. So I ended up with the "Seeker" title as well. I'm happy about that. When I decided to do the Loremaster achievement, I had a lot of Northrend knocked out, with a good chunk of Outland too. So I went and started grinding through a lot of the Eastern Kingdom quests, stretching from Stranglethorn Vale to the Eastern Plaguelands. The biggest help to this was the add-on, Everyquest. This little add-on tracks quests per zone, whether you've yet to complete them, failed them, or currently have them in your quest log. It helped out tons. So with Clovis next to Celienna's side, I set out and kicked some PvE butt. And then I took a break.

Two months I think it was. Angels of Order began our assualts on Icecrown Citadel which meant new gear and new heartaches from learning the new encounters. But I still was thinking towards Kalmidor and the rest of those un-done quests. Finally, about mid-May, I said it was time again. I didn't work diligently at it, as work and life had to come first, but I did start knocking down the quests. Questing in the lands of the Nightelves and the Horde was interesting. A lot of the lore there leads up to the release of AQ and fore-shadows TBC. The Eastern Kingdoms definitley fore-shadowed WotLK and the up-coming Cataclysm expansion. Finally, June 11th hit and Sholazar went down for the count, hard and fast. This left the Icecrown zone. With six quests left, all being group quests, I called in back-up.

Mahla, my wife's uber-Druid jumped in to bring down the curtain on my task. Together, Mahla and Celienna took down the Death Knights at the yet to be completed Necropolis, Malykriss and then we beat down Overthane Balargarde. Just like that, I had two quest turn-in's and the trip was done. I did like how the Lich King challenges you after you take down Balargarde to a showdown in ICC. Very fitting... Especially to wrap up the whole Loremaster line. I finished and got some bravado from the guild. I then went and bought my own reward... I had the title and the tabard, but I set my goal ahead of time... the Reins of the Red Drake. I could have got it along time ago, but I felt 1600 gold needed justification. I think I will name her Kourastrasza, in honor of the best questing partner ever, my wife.

The first of many

(OC) To say that the above image is huge... well, that's an understatement. Hopefully, this is the first of many leaks that will come to us as Blizzard begins amping up the Alpha and Beta testing for WoW: Cataclysm. The above image blasted out on the internet this morning, showing the new resident baddie, Deathwing, right on Stormwind's doorstep. Of course, speculation is abound about the authenticity of the screen capture. Either way, the "nameless" source is risking a lot putting it out there for us to see. If it is a fake, well, I tip my hat because it is one hell of a mock-up. It looks like all the info I've gotten on big D-Dub could be acurate, as far as looks go. We know that Dub fused armor plating all over his body to contain the lava and fire that was errupting out of him after his fall from Neltharion the Earth Warder, to Deathwing the Destroyer. I want to save most of that for the upcoming coverage of the Aspects and Dragonflights.

Looking at Deathwing does bring me one question: Where's the new water effect in Stormwind's Valley of Heroes? The above image, said by Blizz staffer Bornakk, is suppose to be... The Blasted Lands? Wait... I haven't even gotten to the lower southern half of the Eastern Kingdoms! How am I going to cover the Blasted Lands, knowing that they're changing into this? Notice the new water effects though. Awesome and I'd say Blizz is bringing their graphics up to par with some of the other MMOs out there.

Ok... the first leak has hit, soon, hopefully, more will follow. Stay tuned!

Lordaeron and it's future, part 4

The Arathi Highlannds are just a stone's throw, over Thoradin's Wall from Hillsbrad. Once the original, great human kingdom, it is now nothing more than a basin within the mountains, with a few farms and ruins. The former orc internment camp is now a Horde settlement at Hammerfall, although their forces are almost as scant as the Alliance forces in the area. Stromgarde, the last fortress in the area, is a shambled ruin of it's former self. The Alterac refugees known as the Syndicate, use it as one of their primary bases. The city would rival Stormwind if it had survived.
Even the Thanol Span, the great dwarven bridge, is falling. The Dark Iron Dwarves control it for the most part.

Ogres and Trolls, not allied to the Horde, control most of the open areas in Arathi. The elements from the elemental plane also run rampant across the land. My friend, Lanferia, says the visions of destruction seem to come to her here, pointing to the elements. Yet, she says Arathi won't be the focus. The Shaman are also whispering that the elements are awake and angry. Perhaps the Old Gods stir since another of their number was destroyed in the Titan-made prison of Ulduar.

Maintence Day.

This is completely out of character (OC).

Oh how I dread maintence days. Servers down, nothing to do... So I read. I read a lot from the various news sites. Not just CNN or my local news, but also a lot to do with WoW. One of my favorites is WoW Insider. They have everything from game lore to player tips and strategies. I have to say, I do enjoy a good read.

So, I'm sure there are many of you who enjoy the lore from the game also. That's part of the reason why I started this blog in the first place. Cataclysm is going to bring some BIG changes to the game as we know it. The zones are changing. New zones are opening up for us that haven't been open before, or if you did get into them, you risked a quick BAN from a GM. Now we'll get to see them finished and ready for pillaging and plundering. I've had a chance to visit the Troll village near Moonglade. I also went to the airport near Ironforge many times. Don't forget the farm area belwo the airport in the Wetlands. Also, there's un-used content if you ride along the coast of the Eastern Kingdoms to the north, that is now Quel'Thalas and the Ghostlands.

Here are some Night Elf ruins in Quel'Thalas that I found on an exploration ride. This should be smack dab in the middle of the Ghostlands, but is in a sunny, coastal area.
Definitely a surprise when I found it.

What else is out there that we don't usually see?

Tales from the Scourge Invasion

This is the start of a bit of fanfiction I was working on shortly after the release of the expansion, Wrath of the Lich King. I hope you enjoy it.

The Veiled Sea was calm. Calmer than usual and it’s waters were a clear blue, blazing like a sapphire in the midday sun. The water wasn’t as clear as the shining turquoise waters of the sea in Tanaris, but it was still clear. Just a few yards off the shore, Skitters could be seen going about their business, under the surface, feeding on plankton and small fish. Occasionally, a Firefin would break the surface, sending ripples across the water. Sea birds added their happy cries from above as they glided over the water. A warm breeze blew in, bringing with it the smells of the ocean, making it easy to loose one’s self in the picturesque surroundings. The tropical island of Blackmaw was a very good place to get away from the turmoil of the outside world.
Kalandria Lightforge sat on the warm sand of the shore, taking it all in. With her boots next to her, she wriggled her bare toes into the warm sand, taking in the warmth as it relaxed the aching soles of her feet. Clad in only her linen shirt and wool breeches, she let the sun work it’s warmth into her body, helping relax her sore muscles after the morning of hard work. Her sword, a slender, two-handed blade, lay just behind her, sheathed in its plain leather scabbard. Kal filled her lungs with the fresh, salty air as she gazed out across the water. The breeze fluttered her long, chestnut brown hair around her smooth face as she lost herself in empty thoughts.
Her time on the island had given her a deep, bronze tan. The time she spent working with her sword or at the forge and anvil had toned her muscles to taunt iron. Her frame held her muscle mass well though. She still had all of her womanly curves, which most men found very pleasing. It was her attitude and ability that they shied away from.
On Blackmaw Island, Kalandria was a soldier, often blending in with the other inhabitants, not as one of their leaders, but as an equal in every way. No history was asked of someone when they came to Blackmaw. Each person started out as an equal. No one asked and eventually no one cared where a person came from. The island was an escape for those that came here.
There was a time when Kal was involved with the outside world. She had longed to be a Paladin, in service to the Light. It was a family tradition. Her brother’s death at the hands of demons and their followers had fueled her. She had been one of the first in line to go to Outland when the Dark Portal re-opened. Together with her friends and her long-time love interest, Danvar Caledon, Kal traveled with the Alliance forces attempting to stop a push by the Burning Legion into Azeroth. Her unit eventually was decimated. In a last ditch effort; a young mage with the unit opened a portal back to Stormwind for the retreat. Just as they stepped through the portal and it closed, Danvar was struck by a Legion spear and mortally wounded. Danvar died in Kalandria’s arms that day. No healing or prayers saved Danvar that day. Kal felt that the Light had abandoned her and she forsook it. She left the Alliance and ventured off in mourning and scorned, alone.
Deacon Marshal had found Kalandria in Tanaris a year after that, willing to fight anyone and too drunk to care. He saw her spirit was still true though. After a month of careful, relentless convincing, Kal agreed to listen to his plans and then to accompany him to the island he had found where old soldiers and those who were scarred could come to heal or retreat from the war-torn world. Even though Blackmaw Island was an escape, the people there knew that the day would come when steel would have to be bared again and they would all have to face war again. Through training and discipline, they would be ready this time. Kal had spent her days here, training and working at the forge and smith shed she helped build. She, like the others, found peace and serenity here. She also found that time had healed her loss and hurt. Her mind was clear and the course of her life was chosen. She was at peace. Kalandria was ready to do what she needed to when the time came. When called upon, she would fight her inner demons and fight the foes before her. She was a Blackmaw Blade and she was ready. The Blackmaw Blades would stand steadfast against all foes and welcome death’s embrace like a mother’s arms.
As her thoughts drifted, Kal became aware of a rustle in the bushes behind her, five paces up the beach. She didn’t bother reaching for her sword. She just continued to look out across the water as a short, stocky figure emerged from the lush vegetation. A fiery red topknot and bushy beard to match looked around for a moment before seeing Kalandria and making his way towards her. Kristain Stonehammer was of average height for a dwarf, although he was just as stocky as he was short. His stoutness was all dense muscle though. For his size, he was strong, if not stronger, than most humans. His ice blue eyes were clear and sharp. Even though he held no beauty in his features to Kalandria, Kristain often bragged that the dwarven women could not resist his charm and good looks. He was good with his double-bladed axe. Kal knew that and admired him for his skill with the weapon. He could best most on the island with axes. Kristain was also a superb blacksmith, which Kal also admired. His one flaw was the love of mead and brandy, which could land him in trouble more often than not.
“You make more noise than a Thunder Lizard loose in a china shop.” Kal said as Kristain came along side of her with a bemused smile. “It’s a good thing you never tried your hand in a thieves’ guild.”
“Meh mutha would say the same, lass. Quite the same.” Kristain dropped down onto the sand next to Kal. “Give meh a straight-forward fight ta sneakin’ around any day.”
“So why did you come out here? Don’t say the company, either, Kristain.”
The dwarf gave a snort. “Graydon and meh came ta fetch ya. Bluffrunner says he seein’ tha boat from Feathermoon comin’ in.”
Kal did turn her head to look back up the beach as the pair was joined by a third. Stepping out of the shadows, unseen until he did, Graydon Shadowblade made his way towards Kristain and Kalandria. A head taller than Kal, Graydon emulated the typical Night Elf. He was well muscled, yet still long and slender of body. His long black hair and trimmed beard enhanced his elven features. Gray skin and gold eyes made him almost handsome to Kal. Graydon moved with grace and an air of serpentine deadliness. Graydon was smooth and fluid when it came to working the swords. He normally wielded a sword matched to Kal’s, but recently he had taken to using two curved blades which he could use just as well, if not better. She respected him, not just because of that, but because he was always honest with her. His eyes disturbed her however. Kal had spent enough time with the Night Elves to know that gold eyes were either a sign of a great destiny or a very bad, ill omen.
Kal gave Graydon a friendly wave as she stood. “So the boat is coming in? Now?” directing her question towards Graydon as he joined them. “We aren’t due for supplies for another three months.”
“That is what Yazi Bluffrunner said.” Sometimes, Graydon’s proper and stuffy speech annoyed Kal.
“Well… No use standing around. We should see why Captain Idrilae has come early.” Kal picked up her sword and boots, walking barefoot to the path that led back to the Blackmaw compound. From there, she would travel to Blackwatch Cove.
Kristain hoisted himself up with a grunt and hurried to catch his companions. “Perhaps Thrall has surrendered or tha Maelstrom’s gone silent.” Kristain said with an air of sarcasm. “Or perhaps there are more than two new recruits.” The others nodded at that. Most individuals seeking out the Blackmaws had to wait in Feathermoon Stronghold until the boat returned to the island every six months. Only those who could afford the gold could get the boat to come earlier, which weren’t many at all. The other option was that there were three or more wanting to come to the island, but that had never happened before. The agreement between Feathermoon and the Blackmaws was just that. It often weeded out the less desirable candidates for the island.
“I doubt that you are even remotely close, Kristain, in your guesses.” Graydon and Kristain often had a love/hate relationship. They either were antagonizing each other or they were acting as best friends. Kal knew that the two of them were more committed to each other as friends than either would admit though. They would probably go down in battle, back-to-back, fighting off hordes of enemies, assisting each other as they taunted the other, all the way to their deaths.
“Regardless of who he carries or what has brought him here, Idrilae has come and it must be important.” With these words from Kal, the trio fell silent.
The walk through the tropical trees and vegetation, from the western side of the island to the cove in the north took thirty minutes. Not one of the trio tried to quicken the pace set by Kal.

Lordaeron and it's future, part 3

The Worgen. How do I excuse the actions of a sister in Elune? Is she fully to blame for the curse that now runs through the forests of Silverpine? These savage, wolf-like men run rampant there. Not totally by her fault.

The Worgen came to be on Azeroth through magical mishaps. Velinde Starsong saught to combat the taint in what is now Felwood by summoning these beasts with Elune's blessing. But the mage Arugal saw to it that they were corrupted and unleashed as a killing force upon our lands. They are not isolated to Silverpine. In Duskwood, close to the Alliance home in Ellwynn Forest, Worgen now roam unchecked. Even in my native home of Ashenvale, there are Worgen to contend with.

There is no reasoning with these creatures. There is no treaty to form. The only course of action is to destroy them.

Lordaeron and it's future, part 2

I can't say that I feel sorry for the leader of the Forsaken, Sylvanas Windrunner. She was once the Ranger General of the High Elves. Now, called the Banshee Queen, Sylvanas has gathered the Forsaken, those undead free of the Lich King's control, and now resides deep within the ruins of Lordaeron. If it had not been for the intervention of Jania Proudmore, she would be dead by the hands of the Alliance.

I suppose, at one time, Sylvanas and I could have fought on the same battlefields, shoulder to shoulder. But Arthas Menethil saw to it that our paths would only cross as adversaries in the continuing struggles between the Horde and the Alliance. She was slain in battle, defending her home and then raised as one of the Lich King's minions to serve the Scourge. When she broke free of his grasp, Sylvanas went on a hunt for cold, undead, blood, wanting nothing more than to see the man who did what he did, dead. But I fear she has more neferious plans in mind now. I wonder how much trust is left within the Horde for the Forsaken? They betrayed their own allies at the Wrathgate in Northrend, yet Thrall and the others appear to have no doubt in her words that she was not behind the attack. Even now, with the Lich King defeated, whispers abound that this Dark Lady will move on to seek more revenge. This time on the living who all think her kind as abominations. When will King Wrynn seek to purge the former human kingdom of her and her kind? Will he subcumb to the same insanity that plagued the Scarlett Crusade, trying to rid the world of the undead?

Sylvanas Windrunner was once a Ranger General for the High Elves in Quel'Thalas. She defended her homelands and people with pride. At the hands of the Lich King, during his campaign of terror through northern Lordaeron, she was slain and resurrected as a banshee. As one of the undead that was able to break free of the Lich King's control, Sylvanas siezed the opportunity to lead the rebel Forsaken to reclaim the ruins of Lordaeron as their own. Undercity, beneath the once great city of Lordaeron its' self, is now the throne and home to Sylvanas and the Forsaken. From Undercity, the Forsaken work to further the Horde's interests in the Eastern Kingdoms. They pose the largest threat to the Alliance forces in the area.

Sylvanas seems to have left her former life far behind. Even with the presence of her sister, Vereesa Windrunner in Dalaran, Sylvanas has made no move to interact with the elves still allied to the Alliance. The Blood elves, however, are her strongest allies within the Horde. Her forces show strong ties towards the Blood Elves. Even now, sightings of her newest "pets", the Dark Rangers, are flowing in from all around.

Lordaeron and it's future, part 1

Southshore has stood as a port and home to the Alliance struggle against the Forsaken in the remenants of Lordaeron, the Hillsbrad Foothills. The citizens of Southshore have stood tirelessly against the Horde and their raids on Southshore. The Allaince very well could use Southshore as a rally point for an incursion into Silverpine Forest should the Forsaken become bold enough to turn their attentions toward expansion. Hillsbrad Fields lay close by, along with Amberpine just over the border in Silverpine Forest.



With Dalaran moved to Northrend, Hillsbrad Fields and Amberpine are both in need of more support from the Alliance, lest they be the first to fall to a Forsaken attack. The Wildhammer Dwarves in the Hinterlands could boister defenses here it they were not occupied with maintaining Aerie Peak from Horde activity within the Hinterlands. They once called Grim Batol home, but after the war with the Iron Dwarves, they have settled in to the Hinterlands to train their gryphons and shamanistic arts.
I would wager that Sylvanas, the leader of the Forsaken, would dream of controlling Hillsbrad completely. Holding Thoradin's Wall would cut any Alliance advancement into Lordaeron from the Arathi Highlands. The Dwarves are sure to fight for the wall as they maintain a base just a stone's throw from the wall, but the other forces of the Alliance are a distance off, unable to provide timely assistance.

Silverpine and Gilneas

The Greymane Wall. The only barrier that seperates the nation of Gilneas from the remains of Lordaeron. Since the Second War, Gilneas has been walled off to outsiders. Some would thank the idealism of Genn Greymane for constructing the wall, keeping the undead Forsaken and Scourge out of Gilneas. Lord Greymane never supported Menethil's Alliance during the Second War and isolated his nation. This was before my own introduction into the Alliance, along with my brethern Kaldorei. I have spoken to the Lordaeron refugees that camp near the wall's gate, hoping to be admitted into Gilneas to escape the Forsaken. Their cries for help have gone unanswered. The other problem in this area is Pyrewood Village and Shadowfang Keep. The Dalaran Mage, Arugal, has cursed the land with the curse of the Worgen. I presonally saw the fall of Arugal within his keep, but recent events in Grizzly Hills have shown that he survived somehow. Perhaps with the assistance of the Scrouge. Worgen haunt the area, along with most of Silverpine Forest, now. The wall is in terrible disrepair. I fear that some foul situation has fallen on Gilneas and it's citizens.

Whatever the case may be, the Alliance stands ready to counter the rumors of a attempted Forsaken assault on Gilneas.

(OC)Gilneas, as we will see, has been "bitten" by the Worgen curse hard. It will be the Alliance foothold in the Northern, Eastern Kingdoms. It will also be the starting area for the new race, the Worgen. (Thank you IGN.COM for the above image.) The population behind the wall will be human, but able to shift into the Worgen form willingly or unwillingly (such as entering combat.). Gilneas will have a dark, gothic feel to it. And I imagine, being a coastal pennisula, the weather will favor rain over a lot of sun... just to keep the mood up. As it is now, in-game, the Gilneas zone is small and untextured. Blizz will be expanding it a bit and they may even zone it, much like they did with the Ghostlands and Quel'Thalas. But, chances are that behind the wall will be opened up and the whole northern map retooled to fit it. We know that Tol Barad will be off the coast, probably within flight distance. Whether there will be flight points in and out is as yet to be seen.

Written Tales

Over the years since I left Ashenvale forest, I have traveled far and wide across Azeroth. With the assistance of many friends over the years, I have faces some of the most daunting challenges that face my world. Always by my side, Clovis, the young Nightsaber, has fought and defended me on my adventures.

Now, a whisper from the shaman in Exodar say that something is occuring on our world. The elements are restless and a huge change for our world is coming soon. I dare not ignore these words. So, with the help of my comrades, I shall begin a journal, if you will, to save all the knowledge I can before a cataclysm falls on us all.

Above, the gates of Grim Batol stand silent. I fear this may not always be though. In the years past, the mage, Rhonin of the Kirin Tor helped others defeat Deathwing at Grim Batol, shattering the accursed Demon Soul also. If Deathwing would ever rise again, would he reclaim what he once called his?