Ishanah and the Aldor

 Unfortunately, we don't have much to report on this faction, seeing as Harrington has allied himself with the Scryers, but, we'll try to give you all the information that we have.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Aldor Rise

High Priestess Ishanah

The faction known as the Aldor is largely made up of Draenei. After the Prophet Velen's departure from Outland a faction of Draenei priests, led by the High Priestess Ishanah, stayed to help rebuild Shattrath City. For the most part they make their home atop the Aldor Rise, the highest tier of the city. They revere the ancient Naaru, led by A'dal, and with it's aid hope to remove the taint of the Burning Legion from Draenor.



 Next time we'll be writing about one of the other factions found within Shattrath City - The Lower City

Secrets of the Scryers

The Scryers. One of two factions that you can choose to align with on Draenor. Their main base is located within Shattrath City, high upon the aptly named Scryers' Tier. With great architecture, the Scryers boast a healthy thirst for knowledge, and the largest library to be found upon Draenor.

The Scryers' Tier

The Scryers a faction comprising of Blood Elves. Once serving the Regent Prince, Kael'thas Sunstrider, the Scryers under the lead of Voren'thal the Seer used to make up the largest regiment of his forces.

One fateful day, Voren'thal and his forces were sent on a mission. To attack Shattrath City. Upon their arrival to this city, they were met by the exarchs of the Aldor, the first line of defence. Under Voren'thal's command, all his forces laid down their arms. The Seer rushed into the centre of the city, the Terrace of Light, and demanded to speak to the great A'dal, a being of pure Light known as a Naaru.  Kneeling before him, Voren'thal spoke: "I've seen you in a vision, Naaru. My race's only hope for survival lies with you. My followers and I are here to serve you."

Upon allying yourself with the Scryers they offer a number of quests. Harrington decides to aid the Scryers in their attack on Netherstorm, and the powerful Manaforges that blight the once beautiful land. Built as energy rechargers, the use of them is tearing the very land apart. It is believed the energy they use is being manipulated by Kael'thas Sunstrider, and are going to be used upon the great Naaru ships: Tempest Keep, The Mechanar, The Botanica and The Arcatraz.

Harrington deactivating a Manaforge

Each Manaforge is protected by an blood elf of rank within Kael'thas's forces. Each of them holds the key that has the power to shut the manaforges down. A quick tussle with each one and Harrington has what is necessary. Forge by forge, each one is shut down. Will the land ever heal back to it's original glory? Who knows. Only time will tell.

Additionally, the Scryers are always interested in certain things that you can ascertain. Firewing and Sunfury Signets, carried by the Blood Elves of Kael'thas's following will increased your standing, as will Arcane Tomes, that go towards the great library of the Scryers.

Making Friends With Fungus

The Zangarmarsh

Last time we saw Harrington he was galavanting through the vast jungles of Stranglethorn Vale. But, now, he's opted for a change of scenery and we find him a very long way from home, in the bog laden forest known as the Zangarmarsh, on the distant planet of Draenor.

Here we meet an array of Azerothian explorers: From the noble druids of the Cenarion Expedition to the always fearless Darkspear Trolls. One of the more unusual races that you come across here are the mysterious Sporelings.

The town of Sporeggar

Sporelings are a peaceful race. They make their home in a small town named Sporeggar, located within the Zangarmarsh. Initially they are rather wary of your presence, but soon come to accept you as a friend and ally when you give them certain things. Bog Lords are their most notorious enemy, mainly due to the fact that they eat Sporelings as snacks. Killing these Bog Lords and offering the Sporelings their tendrils really does help to increase your standing with them.

 Not having much of an economy, the Sporelings trade with a small fungus known as a Glowcap. These are numerous in number throughout the Zangarmarsh, and can be commonly found within the town itself. They offer a few things which can be seen as worth to travellers. Potion recipes, a shield, a cloak. But, more popularly,  they offer you a Tiny Sporebat and a Tabard for your efforts with them. It is rather worth the effort to make allies with them, just for these rewards.

So, come visit the Zangarmarsh today. Kill some Bog Lords, Spore Bats, Marsh Walkers and Naga. Gather Fertile Spores, Glowcaps and Sanguine Hibiscus. Make the dimly lit mushrooms of Zangarmarsh your new home from home.

Next time we shall continue the theme of reputation gains with the less 'mainstream' societies in Outlands and discover the secrets of the Scryers.

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.

Lament of the Little Lashtail

Harrington has now travelled to the small settlement of Bambala, on the footsteps of Zul'Gurub, the great city of the Gurubashi Empire. Much bereaved after the the loss of his little Lashtail, Harrington is seeking the help of a Darkspear Priestess named Hu'rala. His quest in search of the missing troll, Yenniku, has also led him here.

Lost Lashtail

The 'not-so honourable' way to bring down your prey

The troll priestess sends Harrington deep into the jungle to obtain feathers from the Jungle Stalkers, or raptors. One by one he cuts them down then gets to work, trying to salvage any unruined feathers from the corpses of the fallen raptors.

The theory behind this is that Hu'rala believes that we'll be able to see through the eyes of the little Lashtail that was exchanged for the lives of those at Grom'Gol. Shortly after our return the priestess gets working on a ritual, and enables Harrington to see through the eyes of the raptor.

Through the raptor's eyes

The meeting of minds initially shocks Harrington, and takes a few moments to adjust. Seeing through the eyes of such a small creature astounds him. Such power, surely something the Blood Elves of Silvermoon would like to try out? Back to the topic on hand, Harrington can witness the great Gurubashi city in all it's glory. Such vibrant colours, so many trolls, such magnificent creatures. Soon after, though, the link breaks. The meeting of minds isn't powerful enough, but apparently mind control is...

This takes Harrington to the ruins of Zul'Mamwe, which is rather lucky, as he also has a few other quests to do whilst he's here, killing trolls and putting out fires. He is tasked with murdering (there's a recurring theme here) and decapitating a troll to take his brain. Lovely.

Now back at the camp, troll brain in tow, it's time to save our little friend. Now, controlling the Lashtail's mind, it's time to escape. Zul'Gurub is, surprisingly enough, full of helpful raptors who want our friend to escape. Granting us the ability to dash, chew through nets, light fires and pick up skulls (as mentioned in our previous blog) our small friend is set to make her escape... Or is she?

Caught in the act

The great Jin'Do the Hexxer has seen through their little ruse. Caught in the act, he cuts off the mind control that's keeping Harrington connected to the raptor. Failing in his mission, he returns, downtrodden and disheartened. Perhaps Harrington'll make a return to Zul'Gurub in the near future?

Hunt for Yenniku

The troll, Kin'Weelay, is said to know more about the fate of Yenniku. Upon talking to him, he believes that getting a rare artefact from the ogres knows as the 'Mind's Eye' will be able to help. A good hour or two later (if this was set in actual time) our hero comes back with it, stolen from the cold, dead grasp of a powerful ogre magi. Our source at Bambala then shapes it into yet another artefact in a matter of minutes and calls it a 'Soul Gem'. It will, apparently, allow us to draw the spirit of Yenniku out of the nether so we may commune with it, but, to do this, Harrington needs to travelto the Ruins of Zul'Mamwe, to the South. We find his spirit in a cave, corrupted it seems, by someone named 'Zanzil'. Diving behind a nearby rock, Harirngton throws the Soul Gem and Yenniku, and frees him from his torment. Time to go back to Grom'Gol to inform the residents of what's happened....

All in all, for the most part, Northern Stranglethorn Vale offers, for the Horde, a rather good and a rather gripping quest line. All Harrington wants to know is the fate of the Lashtail Hatchling.

Although the plan was to write about the Great Hunt in the green hills of Stranglethorn, this story deserved it's own blog!

Reputation wise it is a big boost for reputation with the Darkspear Trolls, and a little for the Bilgewater Cartel.

Next time we will definitely be blogging about the adventures of Harrington upon his encounters with Hemet Nesingwary!

Trolls, Trolls, Trolls

When you think of Stranglethorn Vale, what does your mind immediately go to? Hemet Nesingwary? Goblins and Booty Bay? The Gurubashi Arena? What the majority of people I asked... Well, my guildmates, said was:


Trolls!

From the Ruins of Zul'Kunda at the very North of Northern Stranglethorn to the Ruins of Zul'Mamwe at the South, and let's not forget the Gurubashi Empire within Zul'Gurub, there is no shortage of them here.

Starting at the Grom'Gol base camp, Harrington is asked to help defend it by destroying some raptor eggs, followed by some ogres and murlocs. The latter don't strike Harrington as too impressive, but apparently they managed to run the Darkspear Tribe out of the area. Interesting. Also along the way you pick up a little Lashtail raptor. After taking her to eat some murlocs it's time to take on the trolls.

Heading to the Bal'lal Ruins we're given a quest to collect a totem and some tusks. We're seeking the fate of a Darkspear troll named Yenniku, who we do know to be deceased. Seeing all the trolls in the area you'd think this task would be easy. But no, apprently, despite all the trolls having two tusks each, they don't all drop them. Some drop none, others drop one. Our little raptor friend also comes along and surprises us with a skull in her mouth... She sure knows how to treat a Blood Elf right.

Our little Lashtail hatchling

Next off our little team head off to Zul'Kunda. Pretty much what you'd expect is they're asked to kill the Bloodscalp Trolls and take out their leaders. Being a brave little thing, our small reptilian friend helps out with the murder of Gan'Zulah, the chieftain.We also take the skull of Nezzilok, the resident Witch Doctor, so that we may converse with him to find out the fate of Yenniku.

So, on their return, the usual happens. Quests handed in, coins are exchanged, then the residents of Grom'Gol  decide they need yet more jobs doing! This time it's the Skullsplitter Trolls who are in the firing line. We need mojo to help complete the ritual we started earlier, and some trohphies so that the Witch Doctor we just murdered.

On their return our team throws the mojo into the cauldron and cause utter disaster... They just resurrected Bloodlord Mandokir (right), a fiersome warrior from the Gurubashi Empire! Now Harrington is faced with an awful choice. Mandokir is demanding the little Lashtail in exchange for not destroying the camp... Which Harrington reluctantly agrees to.

 So far, when it comes to quests, not too much differs from what we were offered at the launch of 'Vanilla' WoW. Yes the quests may be slightly different, but they are essentially the same. As far as the area goes, we get is a slight change in the coastline, a shuffling of NPCs and a new zone title.

The bonus to our dear Harrington are the herbs and the archaelogical finds. Also the reputation gains are pretty good, as you gain reputation with Orgrimmar, Darkspear Trolls and Silvermoon City.

Next time catch up with Harrington as he heads to Bambala to continue on his quest to find the fate of Yenniku, and as he takes part in the Great Hunt with Hemet Nesingwary!

Introduction

Introducing: Assisstant Professor Harrington

Harrington

 A simple Blood Elf with a big dream. From the ruins of Silvermoon City comes Harrington, a warrior on a mission. Travelling with his trusty companions, a wyvern and a mysterious little geode whose origin is yet unknown, he sets out on an adventure to explore the World... Of Warcraft!


The aim is to quest in each and every zone available in WoW and to blog about it. From the snowy hills of Winterspring to the shifting sands of Silithus, the world is his to explore.

In the first of our blogs we will be exploring the Eastern Kingdoms, starting with Northern Stranglethorn,  one of the zones heavily affected by the Cataclysm.

Harrington, his Wyvern and Geode, prepared to set off in Northern Stranglethorn Vale