WORLD EXPLORATION
Last week we talked about the new Player Achievements systems which will be coming out with Wrath of the Lich King. I like this new system, as it will appeal more widely to the variety of players.
To recap this new system …You will be able to achieve a variety of goals in such areas as excellence in professions, successfully completing a number of quests, completing world and seasonal events, reputation achievements, gaining tabards and other whimsical items, PVP and raiding --- BUT most importantly to Off the Beaten Path is the achievement of "World Explorer".
"Some achievements, including those that involve quests, items currently in your possession, skills (including professions), exploration, and reputations, will be applied to your character retroactively.PLACES TO SEE
So let's continue clearing those maps with places to see.
World events like the Summer Fire Festival encourage players to travel to far away places to obtain items, or to start or put out a fire. These different events are just a few great ways you can clear areas on your world maps. However, unless you play a Draenei character then players of Alliance and Horde alike a place may need to make a special trip to explore Azuremyst Islands.
While the main Island is the primary location and historically is where the Exodar ship crash landed, there are several other Islands in the vicinity that should also be included in your travels. Ammen Vale is the starting zone for the Draenei and is located across the Ammen Ford off the Eastern side. If you are circling the vale to fill in your map, don't miss heading up into the hillside of the south eastern corner into Nestlewood Hills.
The Exodar's crash was halted by a mountain located on the Western coast. If you travel north and then west around the back of the Exodar, this will lead travelers and Shamans to an almost hidden path leading up to the top--this area is called Wildwind Peak. Other spots on the main island are Emberglade coast in the east and Stillpine Hold in the central area. In the south west corner, the Naga have a series of ruins and inhabit a network of tunnels. Off the south west corner shoreline is Silvermyst Island which was once a night elf fishing village.
Several parts of the Exodar ship landed on the island located in the North which caused all kinds of havoc on the wildlife and vegetation – the island is now called Bloodmyst. Several spots of interest include a small island called Wyrmscar located off the North eastern shore which is home to the ghost dragon, Razormaw. Another small island just south of that one is Bloodcurse Island, filled with Naga and the shrine they worship. A notable creature who resides on Bloodmyst is the giant spider known as Zarakh—she is located in the winding hillside of Amberweb Pass. For hunters, the spiders that inhabit the area offers an opportunity to tame a unique looking pet.
An interesting bit of history involves the Vector Coil located West central of Bloodmyst. Bloodelf invaders had come to the island to feed and otherwise harnass energy leaking from the broken shards of the crashed ship. They are lead by an Eredar named Sironas.
UNUSUAL QUESTS
Last weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the International Comicon in San Diego California. It was an awesome event and it is worth it for everyone to go to at least once. I was happy to see that World of Warcraft was there and that they presented a world wide debut of figurines as well as offered fans a place to play the Warcraft card game together. So, to further extend the fun of the Comicon I thought I would present quests or NPCs with comics, heroes, or similar reference. Enjoy~
#1. SAMOPHLANGE
The reference is from the 80's cartoon called the Thundercats .
Panthro, says the following line, "And keep your foot off that blasted Samophlange!"
Since then, Samophlange has come to be defined as any piece of sensitive technical equipment that may or may not actually exist.
Samophlange the WoW quest, begins with Sputtervalve who is located in Ratchet.
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#2. SUPERMAN
In the small town of Southshore is a small farm who is tended by Farmer Kent. This references Clark Kent who grew up on the Kent farm in Kansas until he left for the city of Metropolis and became Superman. Farmer Kent is seen in both Hillsbrad and in Old Hillsbrad Caverns of Time instance. http://www.wowwiki.com/Farmer_Kent
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#3. The Transformers
Maybe a slight stretch, but for Transformers fans, the names Ironside and Grimlock represent Transformers. Ironhide who fought against the Decepticons and Grimlock is T-rex who is the leader of the Dinobots.
In Warcraft, a trog named Grimlok resides inside Uldaman and quotes, "Me Grimlok, KING!" which is a direct transformer reference. Grimlok is a T-rex dinobot, so interestingly enough there is an Ironhide Dinosaur in Un'Goro crater.
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#4. MAN-THING or SWAMPTHING
In the 70's Stan Lee and Marvel Comics created, The Man-Thing. Looking at the cover of issue #1 and then looking at the image of the WoW Bog Beast, you can easily see the reference.
In Warcraft --Bog beasts are classified in World of Warcraft as Elementals and look like swamp monsters. You can find Bog Beasts and similar type creatures in Teldrassil), and Swamp of Sorrows, and Menthil Harbor.
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#5. Wonder Woman
In the 70's there was a Wonder Woman series starring Lynda Carter. Wonder Woman's secret identity is Diana Prince who spins to transform into Wonder Woman. She has a golden lasso she wraps around enemies to force them to tell the truth.
In Warcraft – Wonder Woman is referenced by the captured Arko'narin in the Shadow Hold of Jaedenar, Felwood. You release this female night elf from her cage and escort her to where her armor and weapon are stored. She spins many times and then suddenly appears in her armor. Arko'narin quotes: "All I need now is a golden lasso"
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#6 HE-MAN, Masters of the Universe.
The main character is Prince Adam also known as He-Man who is from a plant called Eternia.
In Warcraft ---An NPC Arathi Basin Battlemaster in Shattrath City wears the same clothes of He-Man from the 80's film, and next to him is his Battle-Tiger or Battle cat, which resembles He-Man's mount Cringer. In closed beta, this NPC was named Adam Heman, but it was changed to Adam Eternum. The NPC says something about a grey skull -- Greyskull is the castle from where He-Man obtained his powers.
Shattrath City - Terrace of Light on the Lower City side.
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# 7. Dr. Doom
In Marvel Comics – Dr. Doom is the Monarch of Latveria and resides with his Doom Bots. He is also one of the main villains in Fantastic Four and X-Men.
In Warcraft – the NPC: Dr. Boom & Boom Bots reside in Netherstorm - outside Area 52 at Camp of Boom
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# 8. Manimal
In the early 80's there was a TV series about a shape-shifting man who can turn himself into any animal, and uses this ability to fight crime.
In Warcraft, druids shape-shift. There is a quest in Shadowmoon Valley offered by Earthmender Torlok called Enraged Spirits of the Air, and one of the quest rewards is Manimal's Cinch for druids.
Special thanks goes to BlizzPlanet for these the above quests.
Have fun everyone!
