Project Lore

Which is the Dark Iron Dwarf, and which is the keg? They're both short and fat - your guess is as good as mine!

As iTZKooPA already pointed out in his detailed Brewfest guide, the onset of this merriest of holidays brings with it a host of achievements and quests to keep us amused while chugging enough beer to dizzy even the stoutest of dwarves. I didn't get too into Brewfest last year, since I was low-level and focused on changing that. So this year I was excited to dive right in from the start. So why am I already hungover from all the content we have to do for the event? I think it's because two of the repeating themes of the holiday revolve around two of my least favorite antics: performing actions when not being able to see anything (in this case, because of drunken blurriness), and controlling a mount (for Brewfest, a ram) that has built-in limitations. For some of you, these may be your most favorite in-game tricks ever! But for me, not so much. I like the concept of Brewfest, and of course, knocking back some drinks should have some side effects on the drinker. Usually, I think the in-game drunk effect of blurred vision and the inability to walk straight is pretty funny. And I still enjoyed it the first couple of times around. But then I had to get smashed over and over again to catch Wolpertingers, find pink elekks, jump off a ledge in drunken stupor and, of course, fight back Dark Iron Dwarves intent on stealing our brew. Day one of Brewfest, it took my server only a couple of tries to win the epic battle by smashing those thieves over the head repeatedly with a giant mug. There's been some debate over whether this is bug-related or just because people aren't targeting the dwarves right, but both Monday and yesterday, amidst post-patch-lag, we had absolutely no luck in winning the fight. Which means 20 less tokens so far, but that could add up to a lot more if we don't get with the program. Maybe I'm being too hard on the ram quests. They're not that horrible, once you get the right whipping rhythm down for keeping them at a steady pace without getting fatigued. Just don't make the mistake of being in a group when you complete them. I've had two separate occasions already in which only one person in a group was able to turn in the Bark For... quests, then it would automatically fail the other person. Once again, that could be a bug or it could be Blizzard's way of preventing people from having an easier time completing the quests because they could ride on the coattails of someone else. One thing I have been thoroughly enjoying is whipping up on Coren Direbrew and getting some sweet loot. If you group up right and use your alts, you can get in quite a few runs every day on this guy and keep trying for those mounts and weapons! So has anyone else been having a hard time fighting back the Dark Iron Dwarves? What other bugs have you encountered? Despite my frustrations with a couple I've come across, I'm aiming to get Brewmaster - so that's enough to keep me chugging. Cheers!

Click to read more ...

That big, old convention we keep talking about isn't the only Blizzard-sponsored event coming up soon. Though it hasn't gotten a whole lot of publicity, the company is holding a benefit dinner at the Laguna Art Museum on the night before Blizzcon. So why would this concern you folks? Well, if you've got the cash to spend on a ticket ($500 -- but, hey, it's a benefit) you get a pretty swank opportunity to hob-knob with some Blizz employees. The package includes dinner and drinks with company luminaries (you can ask them why they haven't nerfed rogues yet in person!), a signed print of official Blizzard art, and, yes, your very own ticket to Blizzcon! In addition to all the other perks, you can circumvent paying those scalpers on eBay for a last-minute admission and support a good cause at the same time. Blizzard's partnership with the Laguna Art Museum is chiefly due to their current exhibition: WoW: Emergent Media Phenomenon. While official artwork from the likes of Chris Metzen and Samwise Didier anchor the show, it will also feature interpretive pieces from fourteen international artists. Likewise, certain pieces of fan art and machinima will be on display to round things out. Sounds like a really awesome exhibit to check out if you're local, even if you can't make it to the dinner. According to Nethaera, there are still a few tickets available! So double-check your credit limit and head on over to the order page to grab one for yourself. The Laguna Art Museum is located in the Southern LA area in Laguna Beach, just down the road from Anaheim, where Blizzcon is being held.

Click to read more ...

Last week you guys might remember that I wrote a bit about my love of the Dragonblight zone and all of its lore-tastic quest lines. And I should have known I can't sneak anything past you guys! As several of you pointed out, I excluded from my post the major Wrath Gate cut scene and epic event that follows. Well, that's partially because I hadn't finished that quest line yet. But it was also because the quest line was so grand that I thought I'd dedicate an entire separate post to it. **Possible spoilers for anyone who hasn't played through WotLK content!!** You have to work to get to the awesomeness. As a Hordie, I worked through four quest lines to prove my worth: Into the Fold, Victory Nears, Strength of Icemist, and The Forsaken Blight and You: How Not to Die. From there Overlord Agmar offers The Kor'Kron Vanguard:

The time has come, the moment is now - our elite soldiers at the Wrathgate need you. The son of Saurfang awaits your arrival at the Kor'kron Vanguard. Go now, northeast to the Wrathgate.

Another quest line later, some Scourge defeated, and the fun begins. Start in-game cinematic. I'll admit it. the first time I saw this was before I did any of the questing. But the second time, after all that work, left much more of an impact on me. We (who aren't DKs) get our first in-game glimpse at the Lich King, and it's an epic one at that. Both Bolvar and Saurfang Jr., along with a ton of their accompanying forces, get fandoozled by the Scourge (who are parading as the Forsaken). I knew those creepy apothecaries were up to something sinister! After the scene ends, everything has changed. In place of Bolvar and Saurfang Jr. stand Alexstrasza and Korialstrasz, who you met in previous questlines in their humanoid forms atop Wyrmrest Temple. Those who still are alive are running around screaming, mourning the dead. And you're left to inform either Saurfang or King Varian Wrynn of the casualties, and deal with the remaining aftermath. I've heard that some thought the cutscene was a rip off Lord of the Rings - and I can definitely see the resemblance. But regardless of where Blizzard drew its inspiration, I think this was a huge step in the right direction. The movie gets both Alliance and Horde energized for the big event to come, which is another big WIN for Blizzard - The Battle for the Undercity. Whether you're battling Varimathras alongside Thrall and Lady Sylvanas for the Horde or smacking up Grand Apothecary Putress with King Varian Wrynn and Lady Jaina Proudmoore for the, in this case, ill-informed Alliance, the battle for the ruins of Lordaeron is one of the most entertaining events I can recall for many reasons. Not the least of which is getting constant buffs that transform your character into a badass as you battle hell-minions who obviously are confused about their place in Azeroth. But there's also a ton of great lore in there for those of us who love the storytelling aspect of WoW, and we see some insight into the current relationship of Horde-Alliance. The phasing of areas we usually see much differently was pretty damn neat, too. I had a difficult time tearing myself away from the computer after all that excitement. Blizzard's movie site explains a bit about their thoughts behind the cinematic that triggers it all:

One of the design goals for Wrath of the Lich King was to elevate storytelling in World of Warcraft to new heights. Northrend is brought to life by engaging quests, memorable characters, beautiful environments, and the introduction of a brand-new feature: in-game cinematics. The first of these cinematics, The Wrath Gate, is now available for viewing and download on the Wrath of the Lich King website.

Now since this is the "first" of the "cinematics" (plural!) I really hope that means more of this is to come in the future. I'm not sure whether they're considering the Ulduar cinematic to be another of these, since it's really more of trailer than anything resulting from quests. But at least it adds on to the storyline, too. And Blizzard has put out plenty of trailers in the past, but the in-game Wrathgate morsel really seems like more of a reward and motivation to me. It may be unrealistic knowing that cinematics have got to be pretty expensive to make. But I can't help it - I just want more! Don't you!?

Click to read more ...

Avast! The fine fellas at Blizzard have hopped on the holiday that be growin' every year, International Talk Like A Pirate Day. September 19th be the day that captains n land lubbers alike be speakin' with style and flair only fit for a pirate. T' celebrate this momentous occasion, Dread Captain DeMeza, Scourge of the South Seas be perched atop the Auction House in Booty Bay, lending a fine set of threads to all who drink with her. Goblin Commoners be givin' out lesser attire all over the lands. Okay, I can only keep that up for so long. I've never been much of a Pirate Talker, but Kisirani has confirmed that this event is for one day only, so have fun while it lasts. There is also apparently no loot to be had, which is a little unfortunate, though understandable considering the short duration of the holiday. There is still plenty of novelty in the new pirate outfits. Both costumes are temporary buffs that dress you like me in the picture (I'm in the middle). The only equipped items visible on your avatar will be whatever is in your hands. The buff given by the Goblin Commoners lasts for one hour, while the one bestowed by the Dread Captain herself will last up to 12. Both are lost whenever a shapeshift is cast, which is too bad for druids and shaman, but the 12 hour version lasts through death (I didn't get a chance to test the 1 hour version). This is a very good thing, considering there are no guards immediately surrounding the Captain who gives it. So, lots of ganking is bound to occur in BB for the next day or so. I've already had some fun with PvP in Booty Bay as a pirate, so come on out and join the fun! What do you all think of this short holiday?

Click to read more ...