Saturday 2 June 2007

Gnomish Mounts

Gnomes and their mounts are the butt of many jokes throughout Azeroth. Our racial steed is, wait for it, a mechanical bird, I think an Ostrich to be precise. Yes, you heard right, a mechanical Ostrich, otherwise known as a Mechanostrider. Now, being an engineer, I have no issues with mechanical beings. But creaking and clanking around on a large, metal bird just doesn't suit my Warlock image.
Luckily for me, a Warlock learns to summon their very own fiery Felsteed! This is a creature of darkness, a true mare of the night, perhaps a carrier of those dreams that wake you in the blackest hours filled with fear. Summoned from another realm they seem content to carry mighty Warlock's about their business.

I absolutely adore my Felsteed, and I enjoy few things more than galloping across the wilds, the wind whipping my hair as the sparks fly from her eyes and hooves.

But I'm no fool. I know how ridiculous I truly look, perched up on the back of my black steed. A tiny little gnome figure, clutching at the non-flaming bits of mane. Sometimes staying on can be a challenge, we don't appear to summon a saddle or reigns which makes things...interesting. My inner thigh muscles are the envy of any body builder!

Imagine my utter amazement when, waiting for a boat at Theramore harbor, I happened upon a fellow Warlock. This one was of human decent, and thus a good deal taller than myself. But this was not the cause of my amazement. No, it was the fact that my Felsteed was noticeably larger than the human's... Yes, this is totally true. The other was not shrunk or changed due to some spell. The powers that be had seen fit to make my Gnomish form appear yet smaller and more dimished by placing me on a larger than average Felsteed! Sadly, I don't have a picture to share with you as I was far too busy laughing at the Human for being on a smaller horse than me whilst muttering about how 'size does matter...'

Do not worry though, I may, you'll be astounded to hear, have found the solution to all the Gnome mount problems. A few days later I was in Ironforge, where I met with a Hunter friend of mine who had recently completed a task in Outland and had been gifted a pet as reward.

What do you think?

Friday 1 June 2007

Through the looking glass

Stepping through the looking glass is almost exactly how it felt actually! And the similarities between myself and Alice with her blond waves and pretty blue and white dress are uncanny...no really :)

I met with Aggrion at Nethergarde Keep and we rode down to the Dark Portal in the Blasted Lands. It really is an impressive and awe inspiring sight, even to an experienced Warlock like me! I felt quite tiny as we gazed over the wasteland that lead to the great glimmering and shimmering green of the portal.

As we got closer we were greeted by Watch Commander Relthorn Netherwane, pouring over a map of Outland. The picture he painted of the lands beyond the gateway was not pretty at all! He went on to request our support in the battle that raged on the other side. Not quite the encouraging start we were hoping for! We agreed to report to Commander Duron once through.

As we stood in front of the portal trying to build up the courage to take the final steps into what, for us, was the completely unknown, it almost felt as if something was gazing back at us...

"Ready?" asked Aggrion and I nodded, whilst my imp, Jakpit performed a number of somersaults. Taking a deep breath Aggrion took my hand in his, then took one step forward (I took about five) and the world tilted.

The ringing in my ears began to ease off and my vision cleared and we were standing at the top of a great flight of steps looking over a wasteland.

I had thought the portal itself was daunting, but this was something else. Ahead of us an organised force was doing battle with enormous, impossible beasts. Looking up I couldn't help but ask "Has the Sky fallen?" as what I saw looked like nothing I could possibly grasp. Perhaps it was a realm like this from which I summon my minions?

We descended the steps and met with Commander Duron who greeted us with the words "Welcome to Outland, welcome to the nightmare!".

"We're definitely not in Azeroth any more Jakpit" I murmered to my imp. But we were, finally, in Outland!