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.