Saturday, April 12, 2008

14. Because its there...

Text for the Stardancer's Off the Beaten Path Audio segment [ Epic Dolls #32 ]

EDITORIAL
Soon after the new 2.4 patch, players were scrambling to see all that there was newly available areas …and it was feeding frenzy. More recently when doing the Sunwell dailies, the anvil opened up and players were stepping all over each other to see the brand new item, often tagging each other on purpose…I guess to thin the ranks…but it was a mess.

Not to be melodramatic, okay, maybe just a little bit..

I am reminded that we come to the World of Warcraft and often forget that in our life time we have the awesome privilege to walk through someone else’s artwork and stories, and experience those in first person. Someone designed it, someone programmed it, and someone wrote the story…and WE get to travel all over it and discover it ….we get to be a part of it. All of us now are making history and someday we will all reflect fondly on our adventures here.

I wonder what our “remember whens” will sound like…
  • “Remember when the Alliance always attacked Crossroads?”
  • “Remember when the Horde always attacked Astranaar?”
  • “I remember when there was ONE auction house and my Nightelf had to run all the way from Darkshore to Ironforge.”
  • “I remember the first time heading into Duskwood, you could almost feel the ambience.”
So, this week, take a few moments, slow down, and take a look around at the world and enjoy it, savor it. Visit some place you have never been before …just because its there …and because a designer took the time to create it.

PLACES TO SEE

On the southern tip of Netherstorm, Outlands, directly south of Kirin’Var Village, are broken shards of land which float dismally in the twisting nether between Netherstorm and Hellfire Pennisula. Among those islands is one that has a grounded decrepit sailing vessel, leaning on its side. I find this interesting as there are also remnants of a port and a harbor among the floating ruins. I try to imagine what the area would have looked like when water flowed freely throughout this area now known as Netherstorm. Although the Village and the Tower are steeped in vile reasons the wizards were in Draenor in the first place, the ruins amongst the floating debris is a curious and interesting spot to see.

PLAGUELANDS

Illidarian writes that one of her favorite places is Plaguelands and says:
“As for the Plaguelands, yes, I know they're warped and diseased, but they're so ghostly and eerie that for my gothic side it's a wonderful indulgence. :)”

So, while going back over the plaguelands, I recall standing on the northern shore of Darrowmere Lake, looking south at the back of Caer Darrow, and seeing the actual balcony that flies in on for a Boss-fight quest inside Scholomance. A neat little side trick, is if you are inside the instance and maneaver to jump off Kirtonos’ balcony, you actually end up outside the instance and in the lake Darrowmere Lake. Fun stuff.

Also, in Western Plaguelands, just south (and slightly west) of the bridge to Caer Darrow is a trail up into the hillside. This is actually a short cut through from Plaguelands into Hinterlands and is called Plaguemist Ravine.

If you are in the hinterlands area and like to flirt a bit with danger, there is also Seradane, (north of Skulk Rock). Inside Seradane is one of the large trees created by the Green Dragonflight with Lethon and Dreamtracker guarding the entrance to the Emerald Dream realm. Several elite Wyrmkin patrol the area as does Rothos. However, there is a trail on the northeastern corner which leads up to a plateau, a dragon ring of binding stones. In the center is an unknown dragon skull and an azure illuminated scrying stone. Fascinating.
  • Zone: Hinterlands
  • [[ Seradane ]]
  • LEVEL: Elite 60
  • FACTION: Alliance or Horde
Here’s a special shout out of thanks to Kynas, our sight-seeing buddy with whom we have spent many a night exploring the world’s every nook and cranny.

Role Playing Tips

For this week’s Role playing tips, I thought I would read from [ rpmadesimple.org’s ] What do you talk about anyway?

What do YOU talk about in everyday life?

Drawing on that, take it on with a role-playing twist - What would your character talk about? If you think of it that way, you can get a start on what types of conversations to start or be apart of over the course of the game. You can also get an idea from your backstory - interests, dislike/likes and history. Perhaps magic is your “hobby”? Talking to mages and related people and asking questions of that sort would be ideal. Just like being social? Then almost any topic in a gathering or tavern is good. Just use good taste, know your “crowd” and add a bit of tact - depending on your personality in-game.

RP safe, RP responsibly and take care.

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Music used in the Audio Segment:
  • Blight – World of Warcraft
  • Elwynn Forest -- World of Warcraft
  • Arrival at Kalimdor – World of Warcraft
  • Å Ná (Arcane Chant) - [ Suzanna Reeves ]
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