Standing in the Doorway

Here we are, in that short span of time between The Shattering and The Cataclysm. I feel as though I’m in a lobby foyer, behind me the door is shut to the “Old World” and in front is the shut door to the Cataclysm. There is much to be excited about with the coming Cataclysm and much to enjoy post-Shattering. This post, however is about the Old World. Fond memories, wincing reminders, and favorite haunts are what I shall dwell on here today.

I remember the first time I was in a raid. I was maybe level 45 and in a guild of several hundred named Body by WoW. There had been a guild meeting in Org, after which it was decided that the guild would take on a world dragon. The thrill of being in a group of about 40 other people, NOT computer characters, and galloping along down a road together with a common goal just blew me away! Mind you WoW is the first MMO I had ever played.

Thousand Needles. I know most people I’ve talked with hated it, but me? Loved it. Reminded me of the Grand Canyon, without the Colorado river. Can’t say that now, I guess. Side note: if you ever have a spare 12 days and want something to do, take a raft from Marble Canyon all the way through the Grand Canyon to Lake Meade. You’ll never be the same afterward. Anyway, most people hated it because of the distances you had to travel for every quest. I can’t argue that point, but I loved the terrain and, mind you, that was when your first mount was at 40, so I was hoofing it and loving every minute!

The road to Shadowfang Keep. Celanna (the first), Sithpaladin and Zaph meet and realize that Pallys have to stick together! That road has certainly changed! Bus rides on coffin haulers?! What was that? Two, two and a half years ago? Three maybe? Whoa. At that time, Zaph was my only toon. Now we have handfuls of level-capped toons in Slice and Dice Champions. I repeat: whoa.

Back to Thousand Needles. I used to grimace at the thought of how many times I died from falling off the lift at Freewind Post. Now it makes me smile.

Arenas. There once was a time when Zaph and Celanna had formed an Arena team. Oh, what naïve plateys we were then! In fact that’s how I met Aradia. Cel and Zaph would go into an arena, get our butts kicked, come out, and there would be Aradia cheering us on! Telling us “You can do it!”. We’d go back in and get our plate handed to us, and there would be Aradia when we came out, saying, “You’ll get them this time!”. Out of 40-50 matches we won …. 3 maybe? Didn’t matter really because it was such good fun, until the dying became monotonous that is!

I had a Tauren once. His name was Zedzul and he was a Druid. I, however, was a Druidiot. Couldn’t get past the starting level without giving up! Maybe a Troll Druid now …. Hmm, maybe after the furor dies down a bit.

The first time I went to Undercity was quite memorable! First of all just trying to figure out how to get down there was a trick. Then, having finally gotten down there, I see this abomination lumbering along! The only abominations I had seen up to this point were Luzran and Knucklerot, so you can imagine my … umm … apprehension. Oh, alright! I hit my hearthstone like a scared little school girl! Happy?

Scholazar Basin is a great mining farm area now, but back when 100 gold made people drool, I used to love farming the Charred Vale in The Stonetalon Mountains. Aggroeing the harpies, elementals (darned elementals!) and basilisks. There be mithril, iron, tin, and sometimes some gold in them thar hills! A good run through there would net a hefty 5-10 gold!

Catching Old Ironjaw. For days I was logging in to my little fishing corner, logging out after having fished and fished … and fished and fished … and fished! Reeling him in was a joy! And no, I did not just hearth out, I hopped on the hog and rode out aggroeing as many allys as I could, laughing all the way! “Catch me if you can! You’re short, smelly and I got your fish! Bwuhahahahaha!”

The Charger. As soon as I was able to, I started going for that Pally Charger. Solo attempt after solo attempt. I had the key to the city so I could sneak in the back door and EVER so carefully get into the chapel, only to die again and again. Finally a friendly rogue, Rucrazy, hopped continents and came to help with that extra little dps I needed. Thanks again, Rucrazy. It’s a shame that the Charger is trained for now, that was quite an experience and a great quest (costly, but great).

The Isle of Quel’Danas dailies. I remember the first time I completed all the dailies without dying once! I was on a roll that day because I also completed both bombing runs on the first pass! I still like going back there every so often, riding the hog and scooping up the free-for-the-taking adamantite and khorium. No mining competition there now!

There are more memories, but at some point you have to say goodbye to the past and hello to the future as you’re enjoying the present. It’s called the present for a reason. It is one.