The Great Hunt (Part 1)

A big part of questing through Stranglethorn Vale has always involved one dwarf and a couple of his friends. What do they want? Dead animals, and trophies from the rarest and strongest of their kind. Let me introduce you to:

Hemet Nesingwary Jr

From a long line of dwarven hunters (well, we presume they're hunters) comes Hemet Nesingwary Jr. He, along with a couple other bloodthirsty humanoids, offer you a series of quests in which you get to kill a series of the creatures that Northern Stranglethorn Vale has to offer leading to the offer of some rather macabre rewards.

So, on his first hunting quest Harrington heads out to kill tigers. Starting with the younger ones, to test his abilities as a 'hunter'. Easily brought down under the weight of his polearm he ventures off for more. This leads to the adult Stranglethorn Tigers, to the elder ones, then to the great tigress herself, Sin'Dall, and to take her paw as a trophy. Upon handing in Harrington is offered a grim reward, the tigress's femur, shaped into the form of a club.

Next on the list of creatures to kill are the great, wonderful and elegant panthers. Making up the other big cat breed found within the jungle they make a rather elusive prey, being able to hide among the shadows of the trees. At first the task does seem rather simple. Kill the young panthers. Kill the adult panthers. The Shadowmaw Panthers, however, prove a tricker foe. Mustering up all his strength to find his elusive prey, Harrington lets out a battle cry followed by a thunderclap, rousing the panthers from their stealth. After five have been hunted you move on to the most fearsome panther of them all: Bhag'thera. An impressive size, similar to that of your standard human, he resides past the Darkspear settlement of Bambala. A struggle ensues between the two, but Harrington comes out victorious. His prize for defeating the great panther? A gun, with his roar trapped inside of it.

The last species of animal on the 'list' of the great hunt are the reptilian raptors. Great in number in the area, they are much a feared and respected foe. Razor sharp talons, teeth that could easily rend flesh off a tauren and a keen eye for exploting weaknesses in their prey. Good job Harrington has his polearm and bow ready to aid him in his fights. After bringing down a whopping thirty raptors of three different species, Harrington is tasked with bringing down the most feared raptor: Tethis. The striking colour patterns on this raptor's thick, scaly hide cleary indicate that of danger. Unfortunately, as with the beasts before, he succumbed to Harrington's force and indomitable will. This time the reward for the creatures defeat is his skull, crudely fashioned on a stick.

Thinking this is the last beast to be defeated, Harrington starts to head out of the camp, only to be called back by Hemet Nesingwary Jr. One more beast, he says, of such power, such beauty and such rarity. Relucatantly Harrington accepts his quest, to go kill the 'King of the Jungle' King Bangalash.

A fiersome, ferocious foe. Guarded and escorted through the dense jungle shrubbery by two Shadowmaw Panthers, invisible to the eye as Harrington approaches. Sleek fur, shining as white as the snow, with velvety black stripes running all over his body, King Bangalash gives off a sublime appearence. Jet black claws protrude from his massive paws, sharp teeth stained with the blood of his prey stick out from his gaping maw. His eyes, glistening like pearls, radiated a jade green hue only seen in the rarest and most precious of stones. Bringing his heavy polearm down upon the nape of his prey, Harrington feels a pang of guilt. Was this really all worth it? To satiate the bloodlust of some dwarf just beacause he was unable to bring down such a beast himself?

Upon return to camp Harrington presents Hemet Nesingwary Jr with the carcass of the once feared beast. The dwarf laughs, rips a claw out of the massive beast, and fashions it into a dagger. Passing the dagger to Harrington, the dwarf offers a sly wink, pats him on the back, then hauls the once majestic beast to show to his companions.

Walking off into the distance, holding on to the mane of his faithful Wyvern, Harrington can't help but to feel sick.

And with that ends the the quests of Northern Stranglethorn Vale. After questing through it is apparent that the quest line has much improved, especially with the reshuffling of some NPCs. Altogether I'd rate the zone a solid 7/10.