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ifridiot · 5 years ago

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WoW Fic: Edible

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: World of Warcraft Rating: Mature Warnings: Aftermath of Violence Relationships: Tal Runetotem (Tauren OC) + Bynx (Forsaken OC) Characters: Tal Runetotem, Bynx Additional Tags: Cannibalism, Vomit, Practical Decisions not Panning Out Summary: Tal hates waste, and he figures his undead buddy Bynx has a good idea when it comes to finding food after a battle.

Bynx (actually named Daniel) belongs to @thats-so-ravenholm. This fic is like 7 years old, but I just found a flash drive with all my old WoW writing on it lmao.

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As was common among his people, Tal abhorred waste. When he killed game, he used everything he could, even saving bones on occasion to use for carving. All that could be eaten, was, or at least was packed up for later consumption. Skins were collected, generally to be sold, as he’d only ruin them making anything himself. Tendons and sinews make good cord, and while his braiding was often clumsy at first, he found himself utterly capable of making solid rope from twisted strands of animal sinew. Everything in an animal’s body was a gift from the Earthmother, and it was blasphemous to squander such things.

So, despite knowing that most people loathed it, he very quickly came to appreciate Bynx’s occasional consumption of their fallen foes. They were always humanoid, and Bynx only seemed to eat those who had wounded him worst, but other than that the act seemed spontaneous, not malicious or profane.

In a way, Tal understood where the disgust came from, to the average person seeing a Forsaken dine in such a way. Especially those with a more sympathetic build to those being dined upon. There was something about it, a certain graceless voracity; it was messy and crude, just as all desperate battlefield meals were. If you were, say, a blood elf, watching a forsaken devour the flesh of, say, a night elf – or even a human – wouldn’t it be easy to image one’s own corpse treated in such a way? Indeed, even orcs and trolls shared enough basic features with Bynx’s intermittent meals for Tal to understand why they might reel away at the sight.

What Tal saw was an unconscious acknowledgment of the Earthmother’s ever-present gift. Perhaps if ever he saw a Forsaken munching on a Tauren corpse, he too would feel his guts revolt in disgust, but somehow he doubted it. Mostly he was just curious as the regulations of this strange ritual – what drove Bynx to it at such seemingly random intervals, what were the precedents for how much he ate and when? What was the meaning behind the act?

They had been traveling together just long enough for Tal to feel comfortable talking casually with the smaller male, but not long enough for him to even consider voicing a song as they walked. It was hard to work up the nerve at an appropriate moment to ask. There was a distinct chance that, had his wits always completely been about him, he never would have.

But after some time, there finally came a day when, having barely fought their way out of a mob, Tal stood leaning against his axe and panting as he watched Bynx curl over a corpse and begin to claw hunks of meat into his mouth, hot and raw. The smell in the air was foul, between the stench of death and Bynx’s wounds, the enormous Tauren couldn’t even smell his own blood, racing out of him from several rather serious wounds as it was, and he was dizzy and tired enough not to really give much thought to his mouth.

“Ey, Bynx… why does that, huh?”

The Forsaken paused, hand against his mouth as he raised his eyes to regard the larger male. Swallowing thickly, he wiped at the blood on his face, smearing gore more than removing it, before hissing out, “Do what?”

Gesturing vaguely at his companion and the corpse that had suddenly become dinner, Tal offered a shrug. “Eat him. Didn’t eat last time we fought here.”

“Nor did we almost die.” Bynx grumbled, digging his claws into the corpse and scratching up another palm-full of meat. He brought it to his mouth, glanced back up at the Tauren, and seemed to sigh in exasperation upon noting that the other’s curious stare hadn’t wavered at all. “Flesh for flesh,” he grudgingly said, eyes boring into Tal as he spoke. “I eat the flesh of the dead and heal my own.”

Comprehension was a little slower in his wounded state, but after a moment of mulling the words over, Tal’s eyes glinted in understanding. It wasn’t a ritual at all, but it made sense – if he could eat a wheel of cheese or a joint of venison and regain stamina and health, then did it not serve that any meat would do? And what were their fallen enemies then, as he had already noted, but so much meat?

He took a few steps toward the other, the motion shambling and filled with a pronounced limp. He had run out of potions long ago and they’d yet to make it anywhere to restock. As for food, he’d have to kill if he wanted to eat… and yet, it struck him, wasn’t that exactly the problem Bynx was solving right now?

“Ahh, always got a smart thing, you,” he said, looking at the bodies in a new light. One man’s arm had been severed at the elbow, and with the armor gone, the lone limb looked like nothing so much as a scrawny knuckle of meat. Holding onto his axe for balance, worried he’d fall otherwise, he bent to pick up the arm. It surprised him to feel the sharp sting of something striking his outstretched hand; he glanced at his companion, saw the knife that had been slapped against the back of his hand and the serious expression on the other’s face, and furrowed his brow in confusion. “I say ’sa good idea, and I like to try a thing for myself.”

When he moved again to take the arm, the flat of the blade slapped him once more, too fast for the eye to follow. It stung, even through the leather of his gloves. “Not for you.”

Straightening up with a low chuckle, the Tauren shook his head. Forsaken had never seemed territorial, but every race had its proclivity when it came to sharing meals. Especially with newer comrades. Using the axe like a walking stick, thanking the Earthmother for letting him find a weapon with such a stout handle, he limped toward a different body. “There, no need ta make like its theft. I got my own, killed my share and keep to mine then.”

“Tal,” Bynx hissed, his voice a low, unhappy growl, “This is a bad idea. Your people do not eat what mine do.”

Grasping the edge of a life-ending gash in the chest of a dead human soldier, Tal smiled to himself and shook his head. He’d eaten many things that most Tauren – honestly, most people in general – would shudder at. As a warrior and a young bull out on his own, he’d been stuck out in the field with no game to be had but wolves, had eaten bugs when there was nothing else. He was no stranger to raw meat, and while it certainly wasn’t his first choice, there were worse things to eat. He twisted his wrist as sharply as he could, pulling the flesh from the body. In his weakened condition, it took three tries, three sharp jerks, to finally rip the meat free. The rough sound of tearing flesh was incredibly unappealing, as was the stink of human blood and death lingering thick this close to the ground. But here before him was a means to soothe his aching wounds and heal some of his hurts.

He brought the limp, tepid meat to his mouth, trying not to breathe the stink of it, and ignored Bynx’s warning not to be an idiot. At this point, it was almost a matter of stubborn pride; he’d said he would, and by the Earthmother he wasn’t a liar or a coward. Closing his eyes, he opened his mouth, shoved the chunk of meat in, and chewed. The flavor was coppery and gamey and pungent, blood having been allowed to cool in the body before being carved, but it wasn’t all around bad.

Still, it made his guts churn, the unfamiliar sensation of nausea crawling up his throat, but he swallowed it down with the meat and opened his eyes to look at Bynx. It was something of a surprise to find the Forsaken staring intently at him, looking almost anxious. “Not a good meat, but passable in a pinch.” He said, ignoring the way his stomach was still fighting the raw, strange food thrust upon it. “Sure not somethin’ to make habits about, but…” he grumbled, reaching down to rip another chunk of flesh up.

Whatever else he might have said was lost as he bent slightly forward, trying to get better leverage to pull the meat free. His stomach gave a final roil, the sudden pain of a cramp lacing through him, and he opened his mouth with a low moan. Saliva pooled in his mouth, throat working in anticipation as his stomach heaved; his grip on the axe faltered and the weapon clattered over the corpse as he fell to the side, arms wrapping instinctively around his guts. He managed to roll to the side, getting his less-injured arm under himself to push up on hands and knees, before he lost the contents of his stomach on the bloody ground.

Having rarely in life been sick, the experience was novel, in a grotesque way. The vomit was alarmingly red, and the sight and sensation of that foul meat spilling out of him only worsened the nausea; he gagged again, coughing when his stomach finally ran out of fuel to expel. He shuddered, the arm supporting his weight feeling weak and jelly-like, but the thought of ‘jelly’ made him think in a weird way of the soft, seemingly innocuous meat he’d just eaten, and he gagged again, spitting bile.

The careful touch of boney fingers on his bare shoulder surprised him, but he didn’t trust himself to look over his shoulder at his friend. He could tell by the astringent stench of the other’s wounds that it was Bynx; the smell of his vomit mixing with that particular odor causing him to gag again, and he gave a weak, unhappy sound as he tried to swallow back a fresh wave of nausea.

Letting that sharp hand guide him back, he pushed himself to a kneel, up away from the worst of the stink. “I told you it was a bad idea,” Bynx said softly, somehow not making the words sound like a jibe or gloat. Tal could only manage another low moan, nodding his shaggy head because, obviously and as usual, Bynx had been correct. “Get up, away from your mess. C’mon.”

Forsaken were surprisingly strong, but even in this state Tal refused to put any weight on his small companion, instead carefully getting to his feet on his own. As he stood, Bynx’s hand slid from his shoulder to his elbow, and finally off him entirely. He disappeared from the Tauren’s view for a moment, returning with Tal’s axe dragging behind him. Hefting it awkwardly, he thrust it into the other’s hand, before moving to point at a boulder a little ways away from the site of their battle.

“Go sit. I’ll be with you in a few minutes.”

Not willing to argue, probably honestly incapable of it, Tal leaned against his axe again and made his shaking way to where he’d been pointed. Behind him, he could hear Bynx return to his feast. Part of him expected to feel a sharp return of his fading nausea as the sound of tearing flesh, but even when he thought about what Bynx was doing, he only felt the lingering misery of his mistaken meal. For Bynx, such was natural behavior.

For a Tauren, obviously, it was not. Just as some plants were poisonous to man but not the birds of the area, so too, it seemed, were some meats poison only to some. Human was, obviously, on the list of things inedible to him.

It was kind of shame, he thought as he sat, curled miserably over his cramped, aching stomach. The meat was so easy to come by and so often went to waste.

#neoma writes #World of Warcraft #tauren #forsaken #undead #WoW #wow fanfic #tal runetotem

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scimitarshighest-blog · 6 years ago

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Name: Drizzt Daermon N'a'shezbaernon (Often Stylized as Drizzt Do’Urden) Date of Birth: Eleint 17, 1297 Dale Reckoning (Used to be ballparked at 140 in the mid-1300s DR, but is generally anywhere from nearing his first century to the middle of his second in my portrayals, unless specified otherwise) Species: Elf Ethnicity: Drow Citizenship: Menzoberranzan (Formerly in most verses), Mithral Hall (Formerly prior to Bruenor’s first death), Icewind Dale (Formerly, changed to Mithral Hall after its rediscovery), Northwest Faerun, The Silver Marches (Through his Range) Height: 5′4″ Weight: 130 lb. Godly Patron: Mielikki Known Languages: Drow Elvish, Undercommon, Goblin, Drow Sign-Language (In Most Verses) Common, Svirfneblin Gnomish Gender: Male (cis) Pronouns: He/Him/His Sexual Orientation: Gray-Romantic Asexual Occupation: Ranger, Adventurer, Explorer

Personality: Drizzt Do’Urden is a thoughtful and righteous person, an elf of upstanding morals, though constantly challenged and growing with them. Empathetic, Drizzt often tries to see things from the perspective of others, although he frequently fails to do so, often learning only after it is far too late. One such case is coming upon the realization that he should resign from his oath to not kill other Drow, as he did evil members of other races, as they were not to be held on some sort of pedestal.

Raised by other Drow, Drizzt initially had little racial or cultural tolerance, though his time on the surface did much to advance his perceptions of others, particularly through his own search for tolerance and acceptance. Drizzt particularly credit his human wife Catti-brie for developing a more accepting perspective, but it was through his interactions with many kinds of people, both members of The Companions and others, that Drizzt learned to accept the differences in the world.

For reasons not entirely clear, Drizzt does hold a particular enmity for goblins, having only met a scarce few that he hasn’t attempted to kill, or holds in any regard besides as mindless monsters. Even with this, Drizzt has managed to meet a fellow ranger who was a goblin that he considers to be an ally.

A perfectionist in many regards, Drizzt holds himself to a much higher standard than he does others, often having trained for days at a time in his youth to master a single sequence of swordplay maneuvers. This even extends to his own ideals, often berating himself over minor lapses of judgement, while easily forgiving his friends and peers for far more serious character flaws.

Drizzt holds a sincere and true love for swordplay, associating it with some of the happiest times in his life, when he was training with his father Zaknafein. Even into his time on the surface Drizzt would never allow his skills to dull TOO much, and he would often spend quality time with his mate/spouse Catti-brie training her in swordplay, when she had intentions to use the intelligent sword Khazid'hea (or Cutter in the common tongue). During his second century Drizzt’s attention towards his swordplay skills would grow, and he would begin to pursue true perfection with his blades, and in his body.

While Drizzt is a devout follower of Mielikki and Gwaeron Windstrom, two gods who rangers often worship, the elf lives a largely secular life. While many actions he performs are on behalf of his patrons, Drizzt has little desire to do as others dictate, particularly the gods. If his god or goddess demands of something that he disagrees with, or simply finds wrong, he simply will refuse to do it.

In times of stress or danger Drizzt has been known to slip into a mental state which he calls “The Hunter”, an extension, or suppression depending on the perspective, of Drizzt’s personality that allows him to solely focus on the tasks at hand, combat, and the hunt. It’s in this state that Drizzt achieves his peak in terms of physical prowess and combat ability, with even his senses seeming to become enhanced. While in this state, though, Drizzt becomes more akin to an animal, losing that which makes him Drizzt, causing this to be an inherently stressful state to come from entirely. It has been implied on several occasions that each time Drizzt enters this state it becomes harder for him to return to his senses, particularly during long periods of relying on The Hunter. In order to maintain his humanity Drizzt often intentionally suppresses The Hunter when he feels himself entering the disassociative state.

Abilities and Skills: -Conditioning: Drizzt Do’Urden is a ranger with an extremely active lifestyle, and before this lived a life that either prepared him to be a part of, or was a part of, the Drow military structure. Bearing that in mind, the physical condition of Drizzt’s body is naturally impressive. Boasting above-average strength (both on his sheet and logically from the novels) Drizzt is able to handle metal weapons and wear metal armor without quickly tiring. If associated with Dungeons and Dragons rules regarding strength, Drizzt should be able to bench press in the neighborhood of 175 lb. while not exceeding 200 lb. Additionally, he should be able to perform similar feats of strength in other areas, given that he isn’t a power-lifter, and comes by this strength through sheer athleticism.

In terms of endurance Drizzt also remains above average, if not downright superhuman in some occasions, as Drizzt has been able to fight for inhumane stretches of time against stronger-than-human threats. Greatest of all in these feats can be attributed to fighting for an extended period of time against a swamp full of trolls, while his compatriots were forced to stop and sleep, and the occasion on which he reverted to his “Hunter” persona to attempt to single-handedly take on an army of roughly 1000 Orcs (not head-on but through subterfuge) killing many encampments in the process.

Most noteworthy of Drizzt’s physical abilities are his coordination, agility, and quickness. Otherwise summed up as his dexterity. Drizzt is considered to be downright superhuman in this regard, having been able to perform impressive feats of hand-eye coordination and quickness as an adolescent with no teaching, or apparent practice, in such areas. This is attributed to an inherited quality from his father Zaknafein being coupled with his natural Elven grace. However, beyond this natural talent, Drizzt has spent many years, likely in excess of tens of thousands of hours, training and honing these skills, particularly in tandem with swordplay. This has become so impressive that he is rivaled by very few humanoids in his world, and at one point was considered one of the six greatest swordfighters in Toril, some of whom beat him in terms of skill, but didn’t rely on quickness or speed to do so.

-Spellcasting: Considered to be a common ability among elvenkind, Drow have a more pronounced ability with magic, being able to cast more powerful magic due to it being a component of their necessary military training. Drizzt is an example of one of the Drow who received this type of training, learning to innately cast a number of spells through his noble status (as it seems that Drow practice some form of eugenics that allow the nobility to have this ability) such as levitation. This was further supplemented with the actual magical education that he was required to complete as a part of his military training, further educating Drizzt to be able to create orbs of impenetrable darkness, or wreath objects and people in harmless faerie fire. However, after spending a significant time on the surface, Drizzt has found that he lost the ability to levitate intuitively, as the magical element faerzress, which inadvertently enhances a Drow’s magical ability and resistance, only exists on the surface. Despite spending time in the Underdark after losing this ability, Drizzt has never regained the ability to levitate.

In addition to his natural spellcasting, Drow have additional resistance to magic, as faerzress seem to have naturally imparted this power to the dark elves. As faerzress prevents many proper styles of divination to transcend the Surface-Underdark barrier, or even most forms of teleportation to, from, and within, the Underdark, from functioning properly, Drow have manifested this adaptation to even each other’s magic. This does not entirely make Drizzt immune to magic, though, as on several occasions he has been affected, to mortal degrees in some cases, by spells and magical artifacts. Drizzt also seems to have no resistance towards magically enhanced weaponry, or psionic powers.

-Senses: Drizzt has honed his senses over a great stretch of time. Elves have naturally acute hearing and vision, even having the ability to see in the darkness as if it were a moonlit night. Drow, however, not only can do this, but can shift their eyes to perceive things in the infrared spectrum. This benefit can often prove to be a fatal weakness, though. For a long time sunlight would actually cause Drizzt’s skin pain, as if it were burning, related to an ancient curse cast upon the elven tribe that would become Drow that would discourage them from trying to inhabit the surface.

Over the years Drizzt has learned to tolerate this pain, and isn’t particularly negatively affected by sunlight, or torchlight, but sudden bursts of particularly bright light will still have a pronounced result on the ranger. He will often be stunned for several times longer than a human of similar hardiness when exposed to bright bursts of light from any kind of source, which is exacerbated further if he was using his infravision at the time.

Notably Drizzt’s senses are considered to be especially sharp due to his training, time in the wilds of the underdark, strong instincts, and training to become a ranger. Drizzt is often able to be aware of another’s approach in most circumstances, especially in subterranean conditions, far before they are aware of his presence. This has proven to be the case even when the other is a Drow, implying that his vision in the dark is still even sharper than that of other Drow. However, this may have been dulled somewhat due to his decades of surface life.

Like all elves, Drizzt is naturally able to detect magical fields, and determine when magic is at-play, although he lacks the ability to naturally identify the nature and effect of that magic.

-Ranger Skills: Although it is often eclipsed by his skill with the blade, or forgotten as it is almost a secondary detail of the myth surrounding “the greatest swordsman in the realms”, Drizzt is a ranger who worships the goddess of ranger Mielikki. As such, he has learned a number of skills on this path that serve the Drow well. Despite not keeping a true animal partner, as Guenwhyvar is a magical beast with whom he shared a friendship prior to becoming a ranger, Drizzt is able to effectively communicate and empathize with most non-magical, non-human-intelligent, animals. In the past he spent several days befriending a sea lion, teaching him how to fetch, then effectively having the sea lion recover his lost figurine that housed Guenwhyvar.

In addition, if his stat sheets are to be believed, Drizzt is able to cast intermediate-to-rudimentary (dependent on the edition of the game) nature spells that Rangers can cast. Due to the nature of his presentation in the setting, however, this is manifested more as a unique set of skills that replicate or approximate the spells: animal friendship, entangle, pass without a trace, detect animals or plants, charm person or mammal, speak with animals, warp wood, hold animals, snare, spike growth, protection from elements, control plants, neutralize poison, nondetection. However, the extent of Drizzt’s skills as a ranger are often left to be considered vague as Mr. Rob Salvatore often places little emphasis on them when the plot doesn’t call for it. I tend to headcanon that in terms of book lore he’s on the higher end for a ranger (more in line with his AD&D stat block) while in game lore he has less than half of his character levels devoted to ranger. To some degree I will acknowledge these spells in a “skill-based” capacity and not a true casting one.

Despite this skill being one he developed in the Underdark, it should be noted that Drizzt is a skillful tracker, able to follow paths and clues left behind to practically follow his quarry nearly the length of the sword coast (two to three times the length of the US Western Coastline) through land and sea to find his friend, though this was accomplished with a combination of traditional tracking and information gathering.

Naturally, as a ranger, Drizzt is a capable survivalist, and even has received training in traditional bows in order to assist in hunting game. He is able to survive in the wilds without the needs for society indefinitely.

-Thief Training: Although this skillset is common enough in rangers, it again was something that Drizzt learned as a part of his time in the Underdark. Handling locking mechanisms, moving stealthily and quickly, as well as detecting others, were all skills that were reinforced throughout Drizzt’s education and preparation for a Drow military-style life. However, these were honed and further trained during both his time in the caverns of the Underdark’s wild, eluding the other Drow, and time on the surface, a place in which stealth requires a wholly different set of skills. Not especially talented in handling devices, Drizzt is not capable of picking particularly advanced or complex locks.

-Combat: Drizzt is considered one of the most skilled swordfighters in his world, not accounting for gods, swordsfighters with additional limbs, or otherwise supernaturally-exceptional swordfighters who exceed the natural limits of mortals. Trained in a variety of weapons by his father, Drizzt is capable with most traditional weapons that he picks up, but especially favors scimitars and sabers, used in a dual-longblade fighting style that Drow commonly employ.

Practically without peer during his training, Drizzt as a youth was already one of the most skilled swordsmen in Menzoberranzan, dwarfed only by his father and possibly several of his father’s rivals. But in the intervening time, Drizzt has come to be second only (in his eyes and true fact) to his father among elven swordsmen. Due to his dexterity and quickness, as well as by overwhelming his foes with two weapons, Drizzt is able to dictate the terms of a duel, and often keep them that way.

Drizzt’s skill with a sword is so considerable that he has been able to defeat the likes of Orc, Giant, Dragon, Demon, and Elf alike, although not always without assistance from one of his companions. In terms of most duels, though, Drizzt is seen by many as peerless. As a result of his experiences, Drizzt has learned to fight while handicapped, not needing the use of his eyes to fight effectively. With practice and training Drizzt has proven able to utilize his magic in tandem with his swordplay to make himself an even more terrifying opponent, and in the most dire circumstances, slipping into The Hunter to become a true force to be reckoned with.

Throughout his career of fighting, Drizzt has shown great improvisational ability, often being able to formulate unorthodox tactics to catch his opponents off-balance, or even launching devastating kicks to stun a foe.

Many of Drizzt’s martial achievements have only been accomplished in his first century, during a time in which the elf had little interest in truly perfecting his abilities in combat.

Possessions and Equipment: Figurine of Wondrous Power (Onyx Panther)(Guenwhyvar): A unique and powerful version of the often coveted magical item, the beautiful statue allows for Drizzt to summon the panther Guenwhyvar from the astral plane. She is not bound like most creatures are to the service of her statue’s owner, but chooses to serve as Drizzt’s companion. Guenwhyvar dearly loves her master, but is only able to remain manifested for a limited amount of time. If she is slain or injured, this shortens the time that she may remain on the Prime Material Plane, and if she remains for too long, she begins to grow weak until the magic dismisses itself.

+5 Defending Scimitar (Twinkle): An elven blade in origin, this scimitar is a weapon that Drizzt was given by the wizard Malchor Harpell, to assist him in chasing down the assassin Artemis Entreri, who had kidnapped his friend Regis.

+3 Frostbrand Scimitar (Icingdeth): A mysterious scimitar discovered in the hoard of a dragon for which the blade was named, this artifact-like weapon is able to glow like a torch in below-freezing temperatures, extinguish both mundane and magical fire, and it seems to be good for slaying demons.

Bracers of Blinding Strike: Taken as a prize from a duel against the weapon master Dantrag Baenre, these bracers hold the ability to enhance the speed of whosoever wears them. Drizzt chooses to wear them on his ankles so as to enhance his natural speed, rather than on his wrists, where it has a negative impact on his unpredictable fighting style.

Mithral Chainmail: A shirt of fine chainmail crafted by a dwarven smith, it provides excellent protection.

Spider-Silk Shirt: Worn beneath, or sometimes instead of, his chain. Drizzt pilfered this piece of armor from the Drow assassin Ad’non. When worn with traditional chainmail it is supposed to provide innumerable protection from all but the most fatal attacks.

Ranger’s Longbow: Once belonging to his mentor “Mooshie”, this is a fine longbow that functions extremely well, particularly in the hands of a trained ranger.

Andahar’s Whistle: A magically-enchanted whistle that could call forth the trained unicorn Andahar. A magical creature, Andahar had been commissioned for the elf by the Silverymoon ruling council.

Ring of Elemental Command (Fire): Hosting a number of effects, read further in your D&D manual of choice.

Belt of Ogre Strength: A belt that simulates the strength of an ogre in the wearer.... Duh.

Piwafwi: A drow cloak that allows Drizzt to better hide. It is insulative, making him practically invisible to infravision, and when the hood is raised can simulate the effects of an invisibility spell.

Mundane Gear: Drizzt keeps leather over-garments that he often wears atop his armor, to hide the mithral’s natural shine in the shadows. As well he often wears fine boots that hide within them a pair of daggers. Drizzt is also known to carry rations with him, tools for dungeoneering, and a self-maintained map of his range (Northwestern Faerun).

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auckie · 6 years ago

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Okay so far of my wow characters I’ve developed my favourite chars personalities:

There’s my main lvl 100ish dran ele shaman, forget her spec but she’s an alcoholic who loves her broken adoptive dad and isn’t super into the alliance but through questing has discovered a passion for history and ‘anthro’pology, especially archaeology and especially on draenor. She is very blunt and lacks any social grace due to her upbringing among the brokken and is very disconnected from dranei culture concerning ‘the light’, hence being a shaman.

There’s Rowan, a super enthusiastic night elf Druid who’s the definition of a green horn and also a Girl Scout. She’s like a big dumb dog and even though she’s very athletic as nelves usually are, she’s like clumsy. Just in her personality. She’s a bit guillable and a bit of a door mat in her effort to enact justice and be ‘good’, but she’s always very brutal and strong and masculine in a sort of way. She has a thing for goblins and it’s very obvious and all the other nelves she’s in training with are painfully aware of it and joke her, rightfully so, for it. Hate to say it but if she were a human she’d probably make a really good cop or detective.

Shecky, male goblin death knight in development but I want him to be weirdly religious and obsessed with like. Saints and martyrdom and shit but in a really stupid way like he clearly has no idea what he’s talking about and it’s apparent he just woke up a death knight and misunderstood something fundamental and blindly went into it, balls deep. I could also make him a paladin but I don’t think you can be one as a goblin? Anyways before he was a death knight he probably would’ve just been your average goblin dude and so anyone who knew him then is very confused about his massive personality change. The only thing carried over is his interest in archeology, as he was pursuing it beforehand as a little side gig.

Murphie, an undead demonic warlock who pursued her field because she loves summoning friends. She was the reclusive daughter of a loradean farmer, and has always been interested in the occult— namely goetia and necromancy. She was more low key about it in life, mousy and stayed in her room reading old shitty books. In death, her inhibitions are nearly gone and her id has let lose, making her very apt at demonology. She has a lot of tics and is very spastic despite being a bit shy. She murmurs and mumbles to herself a lot and is very hands on due to the fact that her eyes have rotted out of their sockets. She uses scent, touch, sound, and magic to ‘see’ the world around her but often relies on her summons out of laziness. As a forsaken SHES pretty gross and has taken advantage of her state of being to just let herself go and blame it on being undead. Idolized sylvannas because during her questing, the banshee queen introduced her to a Valkyrie that she has developed a massive crush on, but is too nerdy and weird to do anything about it.

Jaherry (Jerry), rogue troll. A recovering gambler who’s mouth is waaaay too big. He may not always be running it but when he does he bites off a bit too much than he can chew. He worked as a tailor before becoming a rogue and only chose to take up the job due to debt and threats from his debtors. He met a lot of other thieves and assassins who were clients and decided it only seemed natural that stay a few steps ahead of those who want him dead.

Since I have an account wide title of ‘assistant professor’ I’ve decided they’re all connected by the fact that they have a huge interest in archeology and a lack of devotion to neither the horde or alliance, or if they do (in Rowan and Murphie’s case), it’s overshadowed by a naive sense of good will and curiosity for other cultures. I like to think they met through The Lorewalkers, or maybe through other means, and have broken off into their own little study group and meet monthly if they can (or communicate through letters) to discuss their findings and interests with each other’s cultures and ancestral history. Aside from an academic interest, however, they have little in common and a lot of their meetings are very awkward until they start drinking. Murphie won’t stop feeling Hellsnick’s horns because they remind her of some of her summons, and Rowan can’t stop being weird around Shecky. Jaherry is a bit reserved till he gets tipsy and starts throwing playful slurs at them (especially shecky and Rowan) which no one takes kindly too, and hellsnick gets too drunk and starts getting really rude because she’s probably autistic or something and has negative charisma and can’t read a room. Jaherry wants to play a card game and since Rowan is easily tricked and Murphie is literally blind they lose all their money and have no way of going home.

I literally just made a worgen knight. I want her to be a death knight so when I subscribe I may do that idk yet but her name is Trassa because ofc Tessa was taken, and she’s a very cold and scorpio woman who like. If she could she would absolutely be some sort of heartless, ruthless ruler adorned in barely there silk and such but she’s too hardy and brutal for that. Maybe I’m modern times she’d be a CEO or something equally as ‘legally evil’. With that said she very much values her own sense of justice and has no problems with taking revenge. She’s very patient and practical. She should be a rogue honesty but I want more diversity in classes, and she’s honestly like a black widow lesbian with a giant sword (that nice touch of Joan of ark). She’s very witty and only speaks when she needs to, and chooses her words. She can be pretty intimidating but once you get to know her she is very honest and loyal, and has a sarcastic sense of humour. She enjoys being a wolf because it allows her much more violence than her previous, lithe and pretty form. She’s more for gilneas than the alliance but her passion for her lost culture again has brought her into this weird circle of archaeologist junkies.

I need to make more male characters but so many of the models are so ugly. I want to do a paladin belf maybe?

#under a read more #cause its linda long

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spiritionary · 7 years ago

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Fae Facts - Refactored

So I caught wind of a discussion of “Fae facts” that were listed on the web, and what was true and what was not on it, and I’ve decided to write an article about it from the fae perspective…

‘Fae’ range from anything like goblins and imps to the little pixies with the wings that everyone associated with fairies to the seven-foot tall members of the royal courts. some even consider the banshee to be fae. (also trolls, gnomes, elves, djinn, dwarves, leprechauns, will-o-wisps, etc.)

Partially true. There are actually many more fae than mortals can imagine. There are fae unicorns (though not all unicorns are fae), merfolk are fae, there are some mortal species that can become partially fae (like changelings) and there are fae that no mortal has ever even heard of. Additionally other cultures have fae under other names and courts, such as yokai, spirits (tho not all spirits are fae), and others. Fae exist all over the world, in different cultures, with different names, and often their own Courts.

Some think the fae are evil, some think they are fallen angels, but most are considered to be a chaotic neutral force. some might call this ‘whimsically evil.’

False. Angels/Demons and fae are not related. We generally come from nature or Faerie, and the angels and demons are created directly by a divine being for a purpose. Also our ‘alignments’ are all over the map, just like mortals.

Honey makes them drunk.

Mostly False. Honey is the base for honey mead. Honey mead is the base for Faerie wine. Honey has more of an ‘effect on us’, but it doesn’t generally make us drunk. We however do make the Best Wine fron it.

Iron poisons them, as it does many magical beings.

True. Almost all the fae I know have some reaction to iron.

Some were-creatures were probably just fae in disguise, since fae can assume any form.

Somewhat true. Not all fae can shapeshift, but some were-creatures are fae. Not all fae that can shapeshift can take any form, but some can. I can’t take the form of a human (at least as fae), and the number of animals I can turn into… well that’s not unlimited either, but it is alot. Also fae shapeshifters usually have a base form that they prefer. Sometimes that is called their ‘sleeping form’ because some can’t maintain it when they sleep.

They sometimes lure humans with music that makes them want to follow and dance. They have to dance for what feels like a year and a day but it’s actually only seconds.

False. This is the other way around, please see my article on faerie rings. If you enter a faerie ring, and dance for a day, when you exit (on average) a year will have passed. If you have danced with the fae in one of these rings for a year and a day, don’t return to Earth as you’re already dead there.

True names of the fae have power over them. they often use aliases when dealing with non-fae.

True.

Some people are gifted with fae sight, which allows them to see the fae and also sometimes peeks into the future through their dreams.

Partially true. Except that those people who have ‘fae sight’ are usually partially fae themselves. Also it gives no insight into the future. However they are easily able to travel to Faerie in their dreams.

Cats hate the fae, and the fae hate them back.

False. Some fae ride cats around. Some fae become cats, particularly when they want to become a witches’ familiar. Pixies have the most trouble with cats, because cats think they are moths and chase them around. But in general, the cats just want to play, and are not hated by pixies for this.

Iron horseshoes over the door can act as a fae deterrent.

Partially true. Also other things can deter fae, like salt. Why would you want to do this?

They sometimes kidnap human children and leave their own children or elderly behind. these are called changelings.

True. It still happens today. Additionally some fae end up incarnated into mortal bodies, by choice, obligation or force. These are also considered changelings. In a society that denies fae exist for the most part, those changelings may not know about their true nature right away. Changelings and faekin are functionally similar.

Fae are generous with gifts, especially for polite people, but prefer gifts in return.

True. But should this be considered unusual?

That being said, better to avoid accepting gifts. You probably don’t have enough to pay them back. By saying ‘thank you,’ you acknowledge that a gift was given and that you now owe something in return. Being indebted to the fae = bad time.

Partially true. Often mortals do not understand the value of what is given. It will help, if you are going to ask a fae for something, to have the payment already in hand. Then we will know how much of it you want in advance.

Fae can’t lie, but truth and honesty aren’t always the same.

Partially false. Fae can lie, we usually won’t. Not only are lies draining to maintain, but why would we bother? I don’t lie.

Asking for a favor will cause offense. Make it seem like it’s their idea to help you.

Partially true. Don’t just come to us to ask for favors all the time, what would you think about another mortal that did this?

Most things offend them, actually.

Mostly untrue, although the idea that mortals think everything offends us, is offensive…

Some fae can smell a lie. there’s no way of knowing which ones unless they tell you.

True. Actually most of us can tell when we’re being lied to. But again is this unusual?

Fae use ‘glamour’ to hide their appearance or habitations around humans. ‘Glamour’ can be gifted for use by humans.

True. Also you all can learn glamour on your own if you put some effort into it.

It’s better for fae to have half-breed children than no children at all, so relationships with humans are fine. It just rarely works out fine for the human.

Partially true. There are plenty of fae changelings in the mortal realm, even today. But there is very little reason it can’t work out fine for mortals to have these children.

Iron, salt, and bread (any kind) will ward fae away. so will rowan and hazel.

Partially true. Iron, yes; Salt, conditionally yes; Bread, no; Rowan, yes; Hazel, no.

Rowan and iron will ward most bad things away, actually.

And I guess good things too. I don’t like where some of these facts are going.

Ringing church bells at dawn and dusk will drive fae and/or changelings from your village.

Mostly false. Though most of us aren’t a big fan of churches.

Alternately, cream and butter and cakes (not bread!!) will attract them.

? … Well I like cream and butter and cakes. There’s nothing wrong with bread. What were people putting in their bread back in the old days?

They have many names. fair folk, the good people, the gentry, the wee folk. my favorite is the good neighbors.

True. And even more names than that. Humans have 1100 distinct languages and a word for us in most of them.

There are places where the veil between worlds is thinner, and these places see more fae. Ireland is said to be one. transient places (crossroads and bus stops etc.) are said to be another.

True. Also see ‘liminal spaces’.

Musicians are often taken to their world. they may come back but they won’t be the same.

Partially true. Sometimes mortals wander into our world, attracted to what we’re doing. Sometimes musicians hear the music and come. If you come to Faerie long enough, you’ll become fae. It can’t be helped. But there’s really no discrimination.

Adder stones (also called hag stones, witch stones, snake eggs, adderstanes) can reveal fairy or witch traps if seen through the hole in the stone. You can’t trick an adder stone.

Probably true. Though this presumes the fae and witches set traps for humans in the first place…

The fae are highly sexed. Orgies are common.

Mostly true. There are exceptions as always. The fae tend to love first and ask questions later. We can fall in love immediately with someone with a spirit that attracts us. We don’t need your ‘spin-up’ time.

Random body pains were attributed to the fae. this was called elf shot.

Mostly false. Random body pains can be attributed to any type of magick, energetic or psionic attack. Check your shields.

Tangled hair in the morning was also considered their fault. this was called elf locks.

Usually false. Though pixies playing in your hair at night is not unheard of.

Consumption (tuberculosis) was attributed to the fae as well, for forcing young men and women to dance all night.

False. I think this goes without saying.

Basically if you were sick and there was no cure, blame the fae.

LOL. Mortals blame everything on everything but themselves…

Alchemists sometimes called on certain fae to assist them. No word on how well this worked out for them.

True. So do witches. So do other types of magick practitioners. Sometimes we even teach things. It worked out well for most. It depends on whether you want to learn our arts or just depend on us to do our arts for you. Don’t be lazy.

Millers were thought to be ‘no canny,’ which means in league with the fae, owing to their ability to control elements. (fire in the kiln, water for the burn, wind for the mill, general control of machinery)

Mostly true. Except any practitioner of any trade can have a relationship with the fae in their work. The closer to nature you work, however, the more you can expect the fae to be involved.

If you know a fae’s true name, you can summon them at any time to do your bidding. But this is a double edged sword. If they learn your true name, they enslave you right back, and the things they do would be far worse than anything you could think of.

Partially true. No right-minded fae is going to give you their true name. If you find it out, however, and never abuse that power, no harm no foul. If you begin to abuse it, though, then it’s only prudent to learn yours and get you to stop. Most of the people who have formed the foundation of this ‘fact’ abused a fae’s name.

Some myths have lesser fae paying a tithe (a tiende) to their royals. Some myths have them paying this tithe directly to hell.

Partially true. Some Courts have taxes. I mean, castles don’t defend themselves and if courts don’t have reasonable resources to solve the Big Problems then the Court doesn’t really work. This being said, we bear no association with the mortal concept of Heaven or Hell and we certainly do not send energy or mammon to their leadership.

Mortal midwives were sometimes summoned to the fae realm to assist in the birth of another kidnapped mortal woman. They sometimes offer an ointment for use on the baby. if the midwife uses it herself, she will gain fae sight.

Partially true. She will become partially fae. Hopefully that’s what she was going for. If you’re going to do this, at least split it between you and the baby. Why would you want to hurt the baby?

Lesser fae can die or be killed. To witness one of these funerals is bad omen.

Partially true. Its pretty hard to truly kill a ‘lesser fae’. Even changelings spirits will return to Faerie. It’s not impossible though. If you’re witnessing one of these funerals, you’re probably already fae. Take that as you will.

Credit and references are given to the following sites for being the source of this list:

https://faerielore.tumblr.com/post/162470095402/starbiter-some-fae-facts-from-lore-pt-2-pt-1

http://starbiter.tumblr.com/post/157281741328/some-fae-facts-from-lore-fae-range-from-anything

~ @alynnafoxie

---> Have questions? Send them to us at SpiritFAQ!

#faefolk #fae #faeries #neutral #faefacts #factchecking #nature #spirits #submission #alynnafoxie #primcon

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wyrmguardsecrets · 7 years ago

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To people complaining about Blood Elf RP.

**MOD NOTE: Placing this under a cut because jesus christ dude this shit was fucking long**

Dear players who continually complain about Blood Elves,

I came to Wyrmrest Accord from a dead server, completely alone, no contacts, no friends. I was elated to find a Silvermoon that actually had people in it, I moved my priest over before my main and sat on the edge of the fountain in Silvermoon while alt tabbed finishing my last night of raiding with a guild before transferring my main.

I tabbed back in to jump and noticed there were people roleplaying at me. My first roleplay experience on Wyrmrest Accord. It was a pair of Orcs who had come to Silvermoon specifically to antagonize and hate on Blood Elves. So here my dude was, sitting there minding his own business, gazing at the fountain, and being the recipient of hostility. What made so little sense about it was that they were antagonizing my character because there are too many Blood Elves in Silvermoon. I think my character gave them a look as if they were wearing their pants on their head because that’s like going to France and complaining that too many people are speaking French.

Over the years I’ve witnessed a non-stop bombardment, mostly from Orcs, Trolls, and Undead, but from everyone to a lesser extent, hating me despite not even knowing me simply because when I made a Blood Elf Paladin in Burning Crusade I found I like playing Blood Elves. I like their animations, I like their jokes, I like their voice actor who was also responsible for playing many characters I enjoyed on television when growing up. I liked their background story, being a zombie apocalypse survivor for whom the ends justify the means is really cool. What kind of pain, what kind of suffering must this character have gone through? How has he coped? How does he think, how does his experiences shape him? Who has he lost? How has he survived? That’s some nifty lore.

But this hate has come from all sides and is constant. I see it on Forums, Tumblr, Facebook when I bothered, Discord, OOC in chat channels, IC by people who have decided to come to Silvermoon just to pick on the elves. It’s everywhere and it’s inescapable. I watch as almost daily RPer bashes people for playing elves. Every. Day.

I’ve begun to just see images of indignant children shouting in shrill voices, “STOP LIKING WHAT I DON’T LIKE” and “STOP NOT LIKING WHAT I LIKE” when I read complaints about Blood Elves. And no, it doesn’t matter how you frame it, it’s still complaining.

You can try to frame it as a “diversity” issue but when push comes to shove you aren’t paying for anyone else’s subscription so you don’t really have a say in what they play. You could go to Blizzard and demand that they put a limit on the number of one class you can play but I can tell you right now that they will never enact such a limit. In reality we will probably see further relaxation on race/class choices as time goes on. When Blood Elves can be shamans and druids my Horde roster will consist entirely of Blood Elves.

And before you start questioning why I play Horde if I just want to be pretty, I’m going to point out that I’ve been playing Horde for a long time, probably longer than you, since November of 2003. I remember what it was like before Blood Elves, I remember the massive faction imbalance that Blood Elves helped solve. I remember how much harder it was to do things like Blackwing Lair with Shamans instead of Paladins, how we were stuck with Resto Shamans having to heal while not having the best class set allocations while having priests dispel on Baron Geddon while Alliance had their Paladins cleanse and their priests heal. I remember having to learn to stance dance to get out of fears while tanking Magmadar while Alliance had fear ward. Blood Elves and Paladins coming to the Horde was the absolute best game balancing step Blizzard has EVER taken.

I remember after Majordomo, we’d all kill our characters and corpse run back to the raid to go kill Ragnaros. Everyone would get naked and hop on domo’s hotplate. Everyone but me. I couldn’t stand the look of my main naked, so I ate a repair bill so I didn’t have to look at the shriveled hunched body of a male troll as I ran naked across the Searing Gorge. The shape of the male troll reminded me of haunting photos I had seen of emaciated people (“Muselmänner”, living corpses) rescued from Auschwitz. Even though trolls are buff, their mass compred to their length and their posture was just too uncomfortabe. Have you ever stopped to think that maybe non-blood Elves aren’t everyone’s RP style, and sometimes for very good reasons?

I’ve seen a lot of complaints about Blood Elves that are homophobia driven. The males are too gay. Why yes, their voice actor is an openly gay voice acting legend, problem? Blizard actually made them ‘buffer’ than elves should be because of homophobia. To this day I think that having mildly pretty men by contrast to other men in the game triggers homophobia. Perhaps Blood Elves weren’t made for the straight male eye, perhaps they were made for the female eye. They were made for the queer eye. They were made because the Horde races lacked mass appeal, and their designs made it very hard for the average player to empathize or immerse themselves into these characters.

Do you have any idea how uncomfortable it is being made to think that everyone who doesn’t play a Blood Elf hates you just because you happen to play one? Can you imagine being the recipient of hate being your very first experience on this server? Oh I know you’re going to say, “It’s just IC” except for, it isn’t really. This hatred is a constant bombardment across mediums, this is self-insertion of the author’s opinion into characters in a way that makes no sense. Stop it.

Now here’s my point: You blame Blood Elf roleplayers for there not being enough of other things, you blame Blood Elves for the dearth of good guilds or communities that center around other Horde races. What race people choose to RP on WOW is not zero sum.

If this site had the ability to do pull quotes (where you take a sentence, separate it out with horizontal rules and make the text very big) I’d totally pull quote that. But I can’t so I’m going to repeat it a few times for emphasis.

What race people choose to RP on WOW is not zero sum.

The popularity of Blood Elves is not taking away from the creation of other guilds, groups, and communities. The popularity of Blood Elves is not taking players away from other guilds, groups, and communities.

Blood Elves are not the problem. Would you like to know what the problem is? Take those crooked little fingers you’re pointing and rotate them 180 degrees on the horizontal axis. Where are those fingers pointing? Why they’re pointing at you. YOU are the problem.

There. I said it. You are the problem. Every single person who is blaming people who RP Blood Elves for their problems, every person passive-aggressively screaming “STOP LIKING WHAT I DON’T LIKE,” every person denigrating people who RP Blood Elves as shallow, uncreative, unskilled, bland, superficial, in it for the ERP, boring, or whatever. You are the problem.

One more time. You are the problem. Yes you. If you yourself haven’t engaged in this behavior, then the behavior of others around you. When was the last time you told your Belf bashing friends to shut the fuck up? I bet you don’t like blanket statements being made about you but you sit by quietly while your friends do the same damn thing.

Players of non Blood Elves are to blame for the dearth of non Blood Elf RP, not Blood Elf Roleplayers. All y'all’s actions, your behavior, and your choices are the poison that has stunted your community growth.

When you people sit there and denigtate people who RP Blood Elves, you need to understand that other people are doing it too, and that if we’re listening we find a symphony of hate from theother side. I know why you do it, you’re hoping to discourage, to pressure, to force, to make Blood Elf RPers feel bad so they will decide to stop liking what you don’t like and start liking what you like so you can have more RP partners.

Except it doesn’t actually work that way. What you’re actually doing is painting yourselves as hostile and it makes people who main Blood Elves. It makes us think that if we decide to make an alt and go play with you, that you’re going to be hostile to us the moment you find out we main a Belf. This deters us from wanting to play with you. Why would we subject ourselves to such hostility?

I had a male orc prot warrior that I played as an argent aligned male orc prot paladin, a character with all of the ferocity and strength of an orc combined with a stalwart defender who may or may not actually be able to use the light. It was a fun character. I deleted it because I realized that I could never RP it among other orcs because I main a belf. I made a pair of male blood elf hunters intended to be dark ranger bards. 80s metal wailing manshees in undead elf bodies with red eyes, big hair, and sun lutes. But I realized that while the idea is cool and fun that undead RPers would likely hate my characters for having belf models let alone being male instead of female, even though manshees were added in Legion. I repurposed the characters into something else. While these things are weird and quirky, they’re examples of some of the ideas, possibly fun ideas, that non-Belf RPers lose out on when they constantly bombard other creative people with endless hostility.

The only non-Belf groups that I’ve ever seen try to reach out and engage others has been a group of really nice Tauren. If I was going to RP something other than a Bloof, I’d probably RP a Tauren because I’ve seen that there’s at least some circles of Tauren who likely won’t shit at me for maining a Belf. They’re doing it right. Learn from them.

No one will listen to the Blood Elf RPers’ critiques of what you all need to do and change. Change must come from the inside.

If you want to see things get better you need to start being excellent to each other, you need to be the change you want to see, and you need to quit yer bitchin’. Then you need to tell the people who are being passive aggressive, or outright aggressive, to people playing Blood Elves just because they’re playing Blood Elves, to have a nice glass of shut the fuck up.

Change comes from making a stand. Let me tell you that when these people start getting bombarded by a couple dozen scoldings from their peers for being a jackass they’re going to learn that it’s uncool and stop being a jackass. Then the community healing process can start.

When hating on players for playing Blood Elves becomes uncool, then players who have decided that all y'all are hostile may consider trying to interact with you, put alts in communities, and help you grow and nurture your own communities.

#submission #not a mod post

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karlosharrison-blog · 6 years ago

Photo

Iceland, a place of stark natural beauty, has been carved by the ice caps that surround and cover her and moulded by the fiery lava that flows through her veins. Her people proudly call her the Land of Ice and Fire. This is a place for the true adventurer, a place where you can dive between two continental plates, surf in the icy Atlantic under the midnight sun, hike through smouldering fields of lava, venture deep into the heart of one of Europe’s biggest glaciers and follow the course of ancient lava through underground tunnels.

Iceland just one of hundreds of pristine landscapes.

Iceland a Work in Progress

Iceland is literally a work in progress, slowly but surely growing in size. It lies on the North Atlantic Rift where the tectonic plates of Eurasia and North America are slowly tearing themselves apart. This is the only place on earth where you can see the edges of the two continents above water and take a walk between them.

Eleven percent of the interior of Iceland is capped by more than seven thousand two hundred square kilometres of glacial ice. It is in one of the world’s most active geothermal hotspots, containing lava deserts and geothermal pools and geysers. It boasts Europe’s largest glacier and the most voluminous waterfall, one of nearly ten thousand located in Iceland. Rivers and streams thread their way through black sand deserts and landscapes of almost impossibly green mosses, ferns and birches. Lakes have taken residence in the rents in the earth, sparkling with clear glacial water.

And yet, Iceland barely featured on the tourist map until the massive volcanic eruption of 2010 grounded planes in Europe in the biggest aviation shutdown since World War Two.

Journalists converged on Iceland and discovered the pristine natural beauty that is hers. The country has since become such a popular destination that the number of tourists that visit her shores each year numbers close to five times her population of 350 000 people.

When to Travel to Iceland

The shape of your Icelandic trip will be determined by the time of year that you choose to travel. Daylight hours, landscapes, temperatures and accessibility differ substantially during the various seasons of the year.

Powerful nature of Iceland.

Iceland is not as cold as you may have imagined. In winter the temperatures hover around freezing point, but in December there are no more than four hours of daylight. In winter the price of everything from airfare to hotels and entertainment drops by up to a third. This is also when you can get to see the Northern Lights in all their glory. During this time of year, the countryside will be draped in a beautiful thick layer of snow, but many areas will be inaccessible.

In the summer months, the sun sets for only a few hours each day and even then, the night is little more than a long sunset. For those who wish to make good use of the long daylight hours, this is the best time to visit.

Getting to Iceland

Iceland is part of Nordic Europe and Schengen visa rules apply.

There are regular flights into Iceland from Europe and North America and ferries run from Europe on a regular basis. Icelandair offers the option of a stopover for up to seven nights when flying between North America and Europe. For this, there is no additional cost.

Welcome to Iceland.

The airport is forty kilometres outside of the capital city Reykjavik and you can get a bus or cab to your accommodation in the capital.

The best way to see Iceland is by camper van, or you could consider to rent a car. The Ring Road does a full circle around Iceland and is 1332 kilometers long. A ten-day trip will afford you plenty time to enjoy all the sights that Iceland has to offer.

The road is single carriage most of the way and in some areas, it deteriorates to gravel so you should add gravel insurance to your rental. You can set your own pace if you self-drive. On the other hand, the guided tour offers some insight into the history and the geology of this enchanting land.

Where to Stay

Most towns and villages in Iceland have their own camping ground and this is one of the best ways to spend a night in Iceland. There are also places where you can camp in the wild without a permit if you have fewer than three tents. It is advisable to seek permission before camping on or around farmland. Campervans may only be used in a campsite.

Camping in Iceland.

There is a decent selection of hotels and guest houses in the towns. Try the family guesthouses, farmhouses and mountain cabins when travelling around the Ring Road for a genuine Icelandic experience.

Useful to Know

Food is very expensive. An average lunch could set you back by $30. All hostels, campsites and guest houses have kitchen facilities. Making your own food is the best way of ensuring that you have money for your other adventures. Tipping is not necessary. Alcohol is very expensive as it is heavily taxed.

The water is clean and drinkable so you do not need to purchase bottled water.

Take your own towels to the thermal pools. They are expensive to rent. Expect to take a shower before you enter communal baths. There is little chlorine in the water and the local people are fussy about personal hygiene.

All Icelanders speak good English as they are expected to pass the language before leaving elementary school.

The weather is changeable. You need to be prepared as conditions can change from warm to cold and wet very quickly. The wind can pick up quickly, bringing with it an icy edge.

Always be aware of the fragile environment. Driving off road is illegal. The crime rate in Iceland is one of the lowest in the world.

Reykjavik

Most holidays to Iceland start in the most northerly capital in the world, Reykjavik. The city has a lively café culture and a vibrant nightlife, one of the best in Northern Europe. Here you will find jazz sessions, comedy theatre, craft beer bars, drag shows, and cabarets. The city is small, pretty, cosmopolitan and expensive. The streets are lined with colorful, low-rise buildings. In the distance, the snow-capped mountains are always visible.

Reykjavik a view from the top.

The cuisine in the city is superb with a wide selection of restaurants serving local and international food. Icelandic food runs the gamut of lamb or fish and the more exotic sheep’s heads, whale meat or fermented shark.

It is best to explore Reykjavik on foot. Visit the music bars, the boutiques and the cafes, art galleries, museums, and public gardens. Get a view of Reykjavik from the tower of the Hallgrimskirkja Lutheran Church. It is 74 meters tall and is one of Iceland’s largest structures. It has a 360⁰viewing platform and from it, you can see the colorful streets of Reykjavik and the harbor bay. In the front of the church is a statue of Leif Erikson, the man who sailed to North America five hundred years before Columbus.

Learn all about local marine life at the Old Harbour. On the weekend there is a colourful flea market in the harbour, where you can purchase local crafts such as the splendid jerseys for which Iceland is famous. From the harbour, you can take a boat ride to one of the nearby islands. On Viðey you’ll find the Lennon Ono peace tower. The islands are full of birds that include puffins, arctic terns and cormorants.

Take a class at the Icelandic Elf School in Reykjavik. You’ll be taught by people who claim to have met an elf or two. Many Icelandic people believe in elves. In a 2007 survey, 37% of Icelandic people said that they believed that elves possibly existed.

If you’re in Reykjavik during the winter months hitch a ride to find the Northern Lights. In summer, take a boat out to the islands to see the puffins nesting.

The Blue Lagoon

Part way between the airport and Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon is one of the most photographed areas in Iceland. Comprised of man-made thermal pools in shade of electric blue. The water temperature never drops below 38 degrees Celsius, winter or summer. Soaking in these warm outside pools whilst surrounded by snow and ice is surreal, and the surrounding countryside adds to this dreamlike fantasy as the black rock backdrops and surrounding steam create a whimsical setting.

West Iceland

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Snæfellsjökull glacier is the volcano that took centre stage in Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth, and it looms over the landscapes on the peninsula. Dramatic scenes unfold as you make your way around the coast.

The sea cliffs at Snæfellsjökull are simply remarkable. The columned basalt cliffs feature evenly spaced block columns that tower up to fourteen metres into the heavens. They are trimmed by golden beaches so unlike the black beaches found elsewhere in Iceland. On a good day, you’ll find common or grey seals sunning themselves on the sands.

Here black lava fields flow down to soft pink sand beaches, and hills and rocks are covered with emerald green mosses and ferns. The area is full of mineral springs and thermal pools. The place names carry stories of human’s interaction with trolls and elves.

One of Iceland’s loveliest natural harbours can be found at Arnarstapi. Here you can walk the massive basalt cliffs, and view the harbour and the beaches from above, or hike along the beach and explore the arches and caves below.

Stykkishólmur, the largest town on the peninsula.

Fishing villages, lighthouses and splendid and unusual rock formations are dotted all along the coastline. In Stykkishólmur, the largest town on the peninsula, you can visit the unusual Library of Water. Here roof high glass tubes contain water from each of the glaciers in Iceland. It is a beautiful exhibit created by an artist. The library is located on a hill, so you can view the town and the harbour from above. One of the world’s largest eider farms is located here, and you can make the acquaintance of the ducks at the eider centre.

Into the Heart of a Glacier

One thousand two hundred and sixty meters above sea level you can now enter the world of glacial ice. The world’s largest manmade glacier tunnel was launched last year. Located in Iceland’s second largest glacier Langjokull, it stretches five hundred meters into the ice. Inside the ice tunnel, you enter a world coloured in wondrous shades of blue. The deeper you go, the bluer it gets.

The trip to the tube is just as exciting as the tour of the tunnel as you are transported from the base camp to the tunnel in a monster truck with eight wheels built to traverse snow and ice. The truck was acquired from NATO, and by agreement, will never be used anywhere else. Whilst in the area spend the afternoon exploring the glacier on a snowmobile. It is an adventure all of its own.

Follow the Flow of Lava

A trip to Iceland would be incomplete without a tour through a lava cave. Vatnshellir tunnels thirty-five meters into the earth and is two hundred meters long. Located on the peninsula it is one of Iceland’s finest and most accessible lava tunnels.

Lava caves are formed when molten lava hardens, creating the roof. It then drains out, leaving behind a tunnel. Walking through the tunnel you can see the progress of the lava. The inner walls of the tunnels are a kaleidoscope of colours with rock sculptures and whorls and drips in various shades created by the mineral reaction with the lava. During winter the caves glitter with ice sculptures.

One of The Largest Lava Caves in the World

At 148 000 cubic meters Víðgelmir is one of the largest lava caves in the world. It has hundreds of lava stalactites and stalagmites, and in the winter, ice sculptures join them. Viking jewellery and bones were recently found here. In the cave, lights target the most spectacular sights, highlighting the splendid colours and formations in what is considered to be one of the most remarkable caves on earth. The cave is one thousand six hundred metres long and is accessible between April and December.

Latrabjarg – Bird Lover’s Paradise

Situated at the most westerly point of Iceland is a bird lover’s paradise. It is a cliff, fourteen kilometres long, and peaking at four hundred and forty metres high. This is considered one of the best seabird cliffs anywhere in the world. In the summer months, Iceland hosts nearly ten million puffins, many of them right here. Close by, the town of Breidavik Beach has a hotel, a restaurant and some lovely hiking trails

Húsafell – Iceland’s Summer Holiday Venue

Húsafell has always been a favourite summer holiday venue for Icelandic nationals. It is an ancient farm with a church on the lands. This is a forested area filled with sparkling glacial streams and crashing waterfalls. It is popular for hiking or cycling, but you may want to take the opportunity to get to know the delightful Icelandic horse, a breed all of its own.

The Icelandic Horse – a breed of its own.

The small horse traces its ancestry to the tenth century when Vikings brought ponies to Iceland. It is recognized as an individual breed of horse. The animal is loved by the Icelandic people for its sure-footedness and ability to find its way even in difficult weather conditions. Visitors to Iceland have also taken to the Icelandic horses and it is now exported to several countries around the world.

East Iceland

The east of Iceland is the least popular amongst tourists, and this may be part of its charm – fewer people. In this part of the island, the East Fjords are dotted with little fishing villages and surrounded by beautiful mountains. In a country with few trees, East Iceland is home to the biggest forest in the country. Thirty-five thousand wild reindeer live in the area. In season you can get easy access to puffins.

South Iceland

South Iceland contains some of the most popular tourist destinations. These include the Reykjanes Peninsula, the Golden Circle and Thorsmork, the best hiking destination in Iceland.

Thingvellir National Park

Thingvellir National Park is the first stop off on the famous Golden Circle, Iceland’s most popular tour. This park is at the heart of Iceland’s geological and historical foundations. It was here that the world’s oldest existing Parliament was first established by the Vikings in 930 AD. It continued there, in Nature’s amphitheatre, until 1798 when it was moved to Reykjavik. Relics of the time, the remains of ancient stone and turf homes, lie scattered throughout the park.

Thingvellir National Park a UNESCO heritage site.

The geology of the park has been carved by the fury of the earth as the continental plates of North America and Eurasia drift apart. Here you can walk between two continents or stand on each and collect your certificate.

Take a dive in Lake Silfra, deep inside the rift valley. The lake is fed from melt-off from the Langjökull glacier, and because it is filtered through rock, it is crystal clear, with visibility of up to eighty metres. The colours of the water are breathtaking, with greens and blues of every hue.

The park is surrounded on three sides by mountains. It boasts extraordinarily beautiful scenery with moss covered lava, scattered with lakes and dotted with small birch forests.

Geysir Geothermal Area

The second stop on the Golden Circle tour, Haukadalur Valley is an area of intense geothermal activity and you can see the steam rising above it from miles away. The area is full of steam vents, pools of boiling water and bubbling mud pools which give vent to the pungent smell of sulphur.

Strokkur – Every ten minutes she puts on a spectacular show.

This valley is the home of Geysir, the ancient natural wonder that gave its name to all other such phenomena. Geysir seldom vents anymore but Strokkur, alongside it, is very active and puts on a show several times every hour. Much to the delight of the onlookers, Strokkur catapults water and steam up to forty metres into the air.

Gullfoss

The last stop on the tour is the beautiful Gullfoss waterfall, one of Europe’s biggest, it drops down a thirty-two-meter two-tier fall.

Gullfoss one of Europe’s largest waterfalls.

On a sunny day, its sparkling waters are dressed with rainbows.

Skaftafell Nature Reserve

Skaftafell Nature Reserve covers four thousand eight hundred square kilometres of land and encompasses black lava deserts, birch forests and moss banked roaring rivers. Waterfalls also grace the park. Enjoying milder climates than many other areas on the island, many people enjoy the camping facilities in the shadow of the Öræfajökull glacier.

The area is mountainous and includes the mighty Vatnajökull Glacier. This is a perfect place to take a glacier tour. Glaciers beautiful as they are from a distance, have so much more to offer up-close. They are moulded by the elements so that they change day by day, as tunnels and ice sculptures wax and wane.

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Just sixty kilometres east, you’ll find the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. This beautiful blue lagoon is sprinkled with giant icebergs that have calved from the glacier icecap. This lagoon has become Iceland’s deepest lake, continually growing as the ice cap retreats. It is home to countless seals.

Ice on water Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.

In the summer months, you can take a boat trip on the lagoon to view the seals and whales and to get close to the icebergs. In winter, you’re in for a treat of a different kind when the underground ice caves are open to tourist groups. Vatnajökull Ice Caves are formed in the summer months when melt-off from the glacier flows beneath the ice, creating a fairytale world of sparkling ice caves.

In wintertime ice chunks lay upon the black beach, glistening like diamonds.

Thorsmork

Thorsmork or Thor’s Park is a favourite hiking spot in Iceland. It is a place of incredible natural beauty and is a valley surrounded by three major glaciers. The green-clad mountains are threaded with streams and rivers. Waterfalls add to the dramatic landscapes. There are multiple ways to explore this area from hiking to modified jeeps, horseback riding, cycling or all-terrain vehicles.

Thorsmork, a favourite hiking site.

Volcano huts and campgrounds are available for overnight stays and there is a full restaurant.

Landmannalaugar

The Landmannalaugar mountain range stands in colourful contrast to the pitch-black lava field right next to it. These Rhyolite mountains are a singular sight, in shades of pink, yellow, orange and green, colours that change as the sun crosses the sky. The valleys below the bare slopes of the mountain are clad in bright green mosses and grasses and in spring, they are filled with wildflowers. Here the rivers run warm as the area is geothermally active, and you can find a number of warm spas to soak in. Huts and camping facilities are available. There is also a small supply store.

Reynisfjara Beach

The most famous beach in Iceland and one of the most picturesque, these black sand and pebble beaches are walled in by basalt pillared cliffs. Sea stacks rise from the furious Atlantic waters, which are famous for tossing rogue waves onto the blackened shoreline.

Try surfing

If you’re an adventurous type, a surfing trip to the Reykjanes Peninsula is well worth the effort. The view of the land from the sea is spectacular, and unlike other top surfing sites, you won’t be sharing your wave with anyone. Make sure to go out with an Icelandic surf expert as the weather and currents are unpredictable.

LAVA – The Earthquake Museum

The recently opened, Lava Volcano and Earthquake Museum features viewing platforms that overlook Eyjafjallajökull, Katla and Hekla. Here you can experience simulated earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Interactive software explains the geology behind the phenomena.

North Iceland

Húsavík

Húsavík is one of the best places in the world to watch whales. The whales occupy the bay. The runoff from the surrounding mountains has endowed the lagoon with minerals that feed the plankton that the whales love. Boats of various types depart from the town into the lagoon so that visitors can get to see these animals close up, and in their natural environment. Humpback Minke and Blue Whale are frequently seen feeding and breaching in these waters.

Husavik.

On the banks, you’ll find a colourful fishing village where you can visit the whale museum or finish the day sampling Icelandic fish dishes.

Lake Myvatn

Lake Myvatn was formed about two thousand five hundred years ago by a volcanic eruption. The lake district is rich with bird and animal life. It is a large shallow lake famed for its wide variety of ducks. The area has many bubbling mud pots and thermal pools, and the air is redolent with the pungent smell of sulphur.

Westman Islands

Just seventy kilometres off Iceland’s southern coastline, the Westman Islands comprise a group of thirty islands that are home to the biggest puffin population on earth. The largest, Heimaey, is the only populated island. It was devastated by a volcanic eruption in 1973. Many of the homes destroyed in the eruption remain as they were at the time. This place is now known as the Pompei of the North. Take a ferry to tour the islands.

Stone and turf houses.

Apart from the ruined town, you’ll also find an ancient Danish fort, some lovely churches, and ancient stone and turf houses so characteristic of Iceland.

Iceland – a Place Like No Other

Iceland is an extraordinary place with unusual and often otherworldly natural features seen nowhere else on earth. Here you can dive between continents, climb multi-coloured mountains, ride super jeeps through lunar landscapes, inspect icebergs and snowmobile on some of Europe’s biggest glaciers. Camp under the stars. Seek the Northern Lights. Ride an Icelandic horse through unspoilt nature. This is a holiday you’ll never forget.

Which would you prefer winter or summer in Iceland?

The post Iceland – An Adventurer’s Dream Destination appeared first on Etramping Travel Blog.

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witteawrites · 7 years ago

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Project: Fight Me Hellen

Synopsis

What does a kindly witch who accidentally curses your coffee, a Catholic vampire that's given up rare blood types for Lent and a group of Elves on drugs ("High elves, get it?") all have in common? A lot if you're a shape shifting cop who's job is to keep the magical world and the human world blended without any problems. Hellen loves her job most days but she really wishes all the trouble makers would stop making her job so hard (those over populated vampires from the recruitment surge during Twilight? Yeah apparently all the angst ridden whiny teenage immortal girls get hungry and are pretty mad that being a vampire isn't all sparkles and cheesy lines. Go figure.) She wishes human kind and magical types could just get along and things would calm down. Hellen gets her chance when she's given charge over a Hunter. Her job is to keep them from killing anyone while keeping tabs on them to hopefully find out who their boss is and then maybe the whole hunting ring fiasco can be taken care of once and for all and the people can live a little more easily and in peace. What she didn't ask for was a new friend and the whole thing going sideways when she mistakes the hunter for a new creature in town needing help blending in and spills trade secrets. Can she fix her mistake on time and get the hunter on their side or has she just spelled out death for all of the city's magical inhabitants?

Excerpt

The street light buzzed as it flickered overhead. The wind blew over as a loose missing pet poster across the alleyway as a cool breeze sent a chill down the back of a younger looking woman’s neck. She had walked this path a hundred times at night before but familiarity didn’t make it any more unsettling.

The scar on her neck twinged and she took a deep breath, counting to 10 and reminding herself she was ok. She was in control, this was familiar territory and she would be fine. She flinched slightly as the door to her right slammed against the alley wall and a giggling man came stumbling out. She rolled her eyes.

“Lloyd! What have I told you about the drugs? Do you want to get hunted?” She hissed, walking up to the tall lanky man and tugging on his hear to pull him down to her level.

“Heeeeyyyy! Why you gotta spoil all the fun… you just need a joint Hellen! Then you can come’n chill with me and see that life’s not all that bad!” He said before giggling again and slumping against the woman, her blonde hair fading into green at the tips.

Hellen sighed and helped him sit on the ground. “I’m going to have to take you in Lloyd. I’ve covered for you once. You promised me you would stop and get help but you haven’t and you keep blurting out who you are and taking off your disguise. Someone who’s not on something is going to see you and I can’t let you endanger the rest of us. You know that.” She said.

“Aw Hellen come on! I can’t help it! I’m a high elf. Get it? Huh? Huh? Get it?” He replied before laughing at his own joke so hard he started to throw up.

“These were my favorite shoes.” Hellen mumbled, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. “Come on big boy, time to get you some help.” She sighed, putting him cuffs and taking him out to her cruiser.

Stupid elf… She grumbled inwardly, heading back to the station once she had him secured in the back. Why did trouble makers like Lloyd have to make her job so difficult? Hunters were bad enough but then there were people like Lloyd who just became beacons for them. She tried not to take it personally when someone like him got themselves killed but she did and she wished they wouldn’t do that to themselves. Falling to addictions was a bad enough life without the added danger of being hunted.

Hellen rolled into the station a few minutes later but instead of taking the airy elf up the stairs to the main entrance she walked him into a wall around the side. The scene quickly shifted from a dark brick into a lively office, the wall rippling closed behind them.

“Hey Hellen! Sup?” A hairy looking guy called from behind the front desk.

“Not much Richie. How’s the pup unit going?” She asked, somewhat preferring the night crew to the day one. The more nocturnal types seemed easier to deal with in her opinion.

“Really well! So far we’re caught up on the little ‘play biting’ issues in the therapy part but I think we’re going to get there. What are you going to do, kids are going to play.” He shrugged.

“I can see their point though. Can’t have a bunch of new werewolf pups biting kids and turning them when they’re already stressed. Anyways, gotta take this one into the back.” She said, indicating Lloyd who was swatting at the lights above his face and clinking his handcuffs annoyingly.

“So pretty…” he fawned, his eyes getting bigger the longer he starred up at them.

“Alright little John, let’s take it one step at a time. Look, here’s a step…” She said, smirking a bit as he lifted his leg high in the air and then brought it down, thinking there was a set of stairs in front of him.

“Oh here’s another one. And look out! This one’s really high up and really big!” She continued, messing with him. He’d puked on her favorite shoes; he was going to be the laughing stock of the unit for a few days.

Finally, she got him back into the infirmary area and she got him laid down on one of the beds. She got an IV into the now drooling elf. “Alright, I’m going to give you something that’s going to make you feel a lot better.” She said, grabbing a syringe from one of the locked drawers.

Lloyd nodded happily, smiling and jingling his handcuffs lightly.

Oh he’s in for it… again. She thought, grabbing a bottle and sticking the needle into it, drawing out some of the substance and then emptying into his IV.

Lloyd’s smile quickly faded as his high disappeared like a bowling ball crashing into pavement. “Heeeeeyy!” he shouted, feeling ill and the high he’d paid for was gone.

“I told you next time you did drugs there’d be consequences. Now you get to dry up in here and find a new area to live in. You broke your promise.” She shrugged. Turning him over to the attending physicians working in that section.

She looked up at the clock and saw it was just after 9. “Oh thank god…” She muttered, shaking her head a little as she closed her eyes. Her skin faded into a dark ashy color and her hair went from the blonde it had been to jet black. Her eyes were coppery when she opened them again instead of the forest green they’d been a moment before.

She walked to her office and sat down at her desk, looking at a photo of her and another officer. Younger, smiling… alive. She turned guiltily away from it and started filing her reports and paperwork for the evening. After turning it in and making sure she was squared away she clocked out and gathered her things to head home.

“See you in the morning?” Richie asked as she walked by.

“Nah, I have a mid shift tomorrow and then a meeting with the chief. I think they might be switching me to a day group for a bit again while they train the newbie.” She shrugged. “There’s rumors of a hunter situation too, but I shouldn’t have to do much with that being on partial field work leave.” She added.

“Well be careful anyways. It’d be a shame to lose another fine officer, and a shifter, to the likes of those cut throats.” Richie scowled. “A few hundred years and you’d think they’d figure out most of us are alright.” He sighed.

“Don’t worry, I’ll just shift into a troll and blast them through a wall before they know what hit them.” Hellen smiled wryly. “It’s not my first rodeo.” She added, subconsciously rubbing the scar that was twinging near her shoulder and collarbone. She tried to keep a wince back as she forced a smile. “Night Richie.” She added, tipping her officer hat and heading back outside, this time to her own car.

“Finally…” She sighed, her appearance changing again. This time her hair turned into a layered brown cut and her skin tone became an average human color. Her clothes changed into something more every day looking instead of her uniform as she looked into the mirror, gently brushing her cheek with her fingers, longing to stay like this.

She parked her car by her apartment complex before she headed to her favorite local bar to get a quick drink and check in on some of the local gossip. It was a short walk there and back, plus it helped her get a feel for if and when humans became aware of anything strange. She also liked pretending to be one sometimes even if it was a magical bar.

“Hey Carl, I’ll take my usual.” She said, taking a seat on an empty stool and leaning against the counter on one elbow.

“Hey Hellen. Good to see you around again. I was starting to wonder if one of those crooks hadn’t gotten you too.” The bar tender said.

“Ah it’d take more than a few law breakers to get me down.” Hellen chuckled dryly. “Besides I just check up on the higher risk ones and make sure parolees are behaving and that no trouble’s starting. It’s not a terrible beat.” She shrugged. “Ah thanks…” She took the glass and swallowed down a sip, letting the burn fill her throat and give her a little momentary jolt.

She looked around the room a bit, observing the people. She picked out a Skinwalker, a Djinn, and a young witch intermingled with the humans. She was trained to see them and make sure they were blending well. These three seemed alright. She knew more of the trouble makers than the ones who hid in plain sight.

“Aren’t you off the clock?” Carl raised an eyebrow, his mild accent getting a bit thicker with concern.

“Habit.” Hellen replied simply, frowning a bit as she saw a younger woman who also seemed to be casing out the magical creatures in the room. Her fingers were tapping lightly on the table and she didn’t seem to have even touched her drink yet. Something about her seemed off to Hellen and she couldn’t quite identify what it was. She seemed human at first glance but something was different.

“Hey.” She waved Carl over. “What do you know about her?” She asked.

“Ah new girl in town from what I hear. Not sure what she is.” He shrugged, cleaning a glass with two arms above the counter, and to anyone watching. Two more were below the counter adjusting cups and taps to make sure they were in order too.

“I got that vibe also but I can’t figure it out.” Hellen tapped her glass lightly.

“Could be a hunter. They’re getting better at the fake creature act.” Carl muttered under his breath, disdain in his tone.

“Eh… either way, I’d better check it out.” She said, ignoring Carl’s incredulous look over he working off the clock again.

She turned to go offer the girl a drink but when she looked she saw her leaving a 20 on the table she’d been sitting on and heading quickly out the front door.

“Well I assume adding ‘super good hearing’ to the list of what she might be, would be wise.” Hellen said.

“Ah well… at least she paid and tipped well.” Carl shrugged. “Who knows, she might come around again. I’ll let you know right away.” He offered.

“Thanks Carl. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Hellen said, finishing off her drink and putting her jacket on.

“I do what I can girl, I do what I can.” He smiled knowingly. “Have a good night.” He added, waving her off once she’d paid.

Hellen headed home, the small chilled feeling tingling down her spine that she was being watched or followed. She took a few side streets and then slipped in the back way into her apartment just to be safe. She locked the door and sighed, kicking off her shoes.

I wonder who that girl was… She thought to herself. She had a bad idea she might be finding out sooner rather than later and she might not like what she discovered.

#fight me hellen #original work #witteawrites #my writing

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imreszekeres · 8 years ago

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for the anon that wanted all 100

1. Name- Ash! 2. Age- 18 3. City that you live in- fear, usually 4. What do most people not know about you?- nothing really, i compulsively release useless information about myself 5. What do most people know you for?- being fat and annoying 6. Hobbies- makeup, youtubers, sleeping, writing, drawing 7. What are your passions?- writing 8. What do you search for in a significant other?- i really Really need to be understood, and someone who is patient is nice too 7. What are you most proud of?- I hav gone to State and gotten within the top 10% in my Journalism competitions, which puts me in the top .08% of all high school students in my state. :-) im good for some things 8. When was the last time you had a significant conversation with someone you love?- every day when I talk to @pizzasteveofficial <3 all our conversations are significant 2 me 9. Have you ever collected anything? What was it?- I collect my tears in a jar and store them, then shower in them every night 10. List 10 things off of your bucket list.- I want to get married in the snow, have a daughter, get a Heartagram tattoo (at least one lol), write a successful book, and.. idk what else :0 11. What was the last thing you learned?- jesus I dont know, you learn sth new every day! hard to remember 12. How many relationships have you been in?- um.. 7 I think i feel like im forgetting one tho. I wont name them obvi but i think im forgetting one? i feel like ive been in 8 oh well 13. Turn ons- validation 14. Turn offs- being alive 15. Favorite food- frozen yogurt! I like the vanilla or white chocolate flavor with looots of toppings 16. Favorite drink- Coke 17. What is the best birthday gift you have ever received?- i dont really know! I dont remember a lot of my birthdays for trauma reasons so 18. Are you optimistic or pessimistic?- pessimistic by far lol 19. Do you sleep during class?- its happened a handful of times, I try not to bc I HATE missing work its annoying 20. What is the most expensive thing you own?- myself?? jk its my laptop 21. What is the cheapest yet most useful thing you own?- a 1 dollar ELF blending brush. yall those things are bomb please go buy some! 22. How many times a day on average do you check your phone?- that number does not exist holy shit 23. Text or call?- TEXT BLEASE I HAVE SUCH BAD HEARING 24. Opinion on long distance?- it can work! ive done it a lot of times. distance has never been whats broken a relationship for me, not directly anyway 25. What is your definition of success?- success is when you’re happy. you do not have many worries, not the kind that keep you awake at night or make your tummy sick anyway. You have people that love you and, if you died, you’d be remembered as a good bean 26. Favorite song?- right now im really diggin “Hate (I Really Dont Like You)” by the plain white Ts 27. Favorite artist?- HIM!!!!!!!!!!!! <3 28. Celebrity crush/crushes?- Ville Valo ALWAYS lmao hes my god 29. When was the last time you read for fun?- like last month 30. Favorite flower?- roses 31. What is the best gift you could receive right now?- a plane ticket to Connecticut and like 1000 dollars 32. Any guilty pleasures?- pop... music... BUT LIKE THE GOOD KIND U FEEL? I DONT LIKE STUFF FROM THE LAST 2 OR 3 YEARs... 33. What is one thing you would like to change about yourself?- my weight, and that sounds so shallow but it. is taking a toll on me. 34. What do you search for in a friend?- someone who is like me! 35. How many times have you said "I love you" in the past month?- not enough 36. Where did you last go other than your room/home?- school.. 37. Why do bad things happen to good people?- because life isnt fair 38. In your opinion, what hurts more? Being left out or being stabbed in the eye?- what the fuck being stabbed in the eye have you ever been stabbed in the fucking eye? because i havent and i can already tell you that if my friends were talking without me and then someone stabbed me in the fuCKING EYE I WOULD BE JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE PREOCCUPIED WITH BEING STABBED IN THE E Y E 39. How many green shirts do you own?- none lol 40. Do you like anime?- sure! I dont watch it rn but i dont watch anything rn, haha 41. What do you invest the most time in?- sleeping,, 42. What was the name of the last book you read?- Rebecca :3 very gud book 43. What's the difference between loving and liking someone?- when ur main squeeze gets a hair cut and u still wanna suck their dingus u love em, thats it sorry i dont make the rules 44. Where are you most productive?- i dont.. know what this is asking lol I’m most protective over my romantic partners. As much as I’d love to say im most protective over Sarah, nothing compares to how “troll guarding his treasure” i am w/my loves.......... *eyes @my crush* 45. List 3 things you enjoy doing with friends.- talking shit abt rude ppl, playing vidya gaem, and talking abt life 46. List 3 things you enjoy doing alone.- watching makeup tutorials, watching lets plays, and thinking about everything and anything 47. Do you believe world peace will ever exist?- absolutely not. theres too many people on the earth to achieve that 48. Do you have any allergies?- Not to anything specific but i get them really often seasonally. i get them pretty much every time the weather changes :( 49. When was the last time you cussed at someone?- i mean.. every day of my life so like 50. What was the last promise you made?- idek dude 51. What was your last dream about?- IT WAS SO WEIRD IT WAS ABOUT MY CRUSH’S MOM? I DREAMT THAT SHE WAS A DEMON WHO STORED HER EGGS IN LITTLE PORCELAIN JARS AND THAT MY CRUSH HAD AN EAR INFECTION AND WE WERE IN A SNOWY VILLAGE IDK DONT ASK ME its weird bc my crushs mom is so sweet... 52. If you won a trip to Hawaii and you could take 5 people with you, who would those 5 people be?- i would literally only take Sarah bc i hate everyone 53. How many countries have you visited?- ive never been outside the US 54. What is your favorite medium of art? (Music, dance, painting, etc.)- writing :-) 56. When was the last time somebody complimented you?- those nice anons i got yesterday/the other day! 56. If you switched bodies with someone, how would you recognize yourself?- what do u even mean? youd know bc youd be like THIS ISNT MY BODY 57. Do you consider yourself mature?- kind of, yes 58. How many days in your life do you think you have wasted on tumblr?- too fuckin many 59. What is your favorite quote?- “Worship Satan!” -Ville Valo (no but rly any HIM lyric is my favorite quote, theyre so beautiful,,,) 60. If you started a new religion and you had to create 3 rules or commandments for your new followers to live by, what would those 3 rules be?- dont hurt ppl unless they hurt u, dont touch ppl unless they want u to, and respect gender/sexuality 61. What is your greatest accomplishment?- going 2 state! 62. Do you believe in the death penalty?- yeah i actually think it should b used more lol, kill all rapists and p*dophiles :-) 63. What are your goals for life?- i just wanna b happy, man 64. What do you think your soulmate is doing right now?- being a fucking idiot, probably 65. If you could live anywhere, where would you live? The place can be in an imaginary, fantasy, or the real world.- CALIFORNIA LMAO IM SUCH A SUCKER FOR CALIFORNIA AND I NEVER EVEN BEEN THERE 66. What were you like in 2013?- awful but also really sweet... then again i wasnt TECHNICALLY the host so lol 67. Do you have a job?- no :( i cant drive 68. Tell us a story about your childhood best friend.- she was an abusive bitch who took out her parents hating her on me the end 69. If you could change one thing about society, what would it be?- i would make discrimination a way more serious crime than it is taken for rn. ppl who discriminate should b put in jail 70. How many all-nighters have you pulled before?- just one when i had to install the sims and it took 6 years 71. Is tumblr your favorite website? If not, then what is your favorite website?- my fave website is youtube 72. What is the craziest thing you would do for a million dollars?- suck a dick, i guess 73. Does money equal happiness?- not all the time but it sure can 74. How many times have you experienced true happiness in your lifetime?- never, i dont think 75. How many times have you experienced true sadness in your lifetime?- too many times 76. What is the funniest joke you have ever been told?- you know that joke abt the blind man at the beginning of Crazy Rap? yeah thats fucking HILARIOUS 77. When was the last time you looked at the news?- this morn :0 78. If you could say one thing to the world, what would you say?- im gay 79. What is your favorite animal?- RACCOONS!!!!!!!!!!!! 80. If you could earn a million dollars by pretending to be dead for 3 years, would you do it?- i mean sure lmao nobody would b upset about it so 81. What is one thing that everyone is bad at?- being a human. 82. What time do you normally sleep? How many hours of sleep do you usually get?- i usually go to bed at 10 and get like 6 or 7 hours 83. Does age necessarily equal maturity?- not at all! 84. What is your favorite clothing store?- hot topic lol 85. In the winter- beanies or gloves?- gloves b 86. Would you rather have wings or a fish tail?- wings?? why would i want a fish tail 87. If you had the power to erase one person from the world so that nobody remembered him or her except you, would you do it?- absofuckinglutely. 88. What do you fear the most?- being like my rapist. thats a little too deep than i like to go but im being honest, thats literally my biggest fear Ever 89. How many digits of pi can you recite?- 3.14 lmfao i hate math 90. If you could travel back to one year and relive it again, which year would it be?- 2004. I would stop it before it happened. :-( 91. Describe yourself in one word.- stupid 92. Describe your last victory.- i woke up today w/o killin meself 93. What is the weirdest thing you have ever seen?- bendytoots cucumberpitch’s face 94. What is something you will never forget?- prom.. something rly nice happened 95. Would you rather forget all of the past or remember everything in vivid detail?- forget everything. please 96. Have you ever broken a bone before?- nope! 97. Is it harder to love or to hate somebody?- probably harder to love them lol 98. Coffee or tea?- coffer 99. What are some little things that you do that have changed your life in a positive way?- I dont overdose on a constant basis in a BPD-fueled rage any more so thats good 100. How many hours have you spend on tumblr today?- probably 1 or 2?

#ask tot ag i guess #i didnt mean to get so negative in this lol im fine i swear #chitters #text heavy//

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vanillaexplorer-blog · 7 years ago

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Mining Guide (1-300)

What you’re going to need:

Mining skill (obviously). Go see your local mining trainer to get trained. A mining pick. Can’t mine without one (these can also be enchanted if you want, makes absolutely no difference, but it’s cool to have. Even if you have your mining pick enchanted the standard mining animation remains the same, so you actually see that nice demonslaying glow you got put on there. You will only see the glow when you equip it like a normal weapon. A player on our server even had a Crusader enchant put on their mining pick and told me that the proc happens when they mine, cant confirm this for sure, but it does seem really pointless).

Optional, but recommended extra: get the cheapest pair of gloves you can find and get them enchanted with +5 mining skill (shouldn’t cost you more than 2g, as it takes 3 x Truesilver Bars and 3 x Vision Dust). Don’t bother with the +2 enchant as it’s not worth it. If you’re an engineer then make yourself a Goblin Mining Helmet as this will add +5 to your mining skill.

Also, please remember that mining nodes only appear on the side of hills, cliffs, mountains etc. So your unlikely to find any ores in the great rolling plains, unless there is a small hill there. Also note that Darnassus has NO ore whatsoever! So if you’re a Night Elf and want to mine, get your booty over to Darkshore ASAP. So with that in mind, always follow the cliff faces or hillsides.

Mining 1 to 65

Mining Copper

Estimated number of nodes to mine = 30

This bit is easy. Mine about 50 copper and smelt. You can use any of the following suggestions for mining routes or make up your own, as copper is so abundant:

*At level 50, go back to the mining trainer and learn Journeyman Mining.

Horde

Undead: Start at the entrance to Deathknell, looking out towards Brill. Head South and follow the cliffs all the way round to The Undercity. Skip past UC and keep following the cliffs up to The Bulwark. Now head North up to Scarlet Monastery, hugging the cliffs as you go. When to reach the coast, head west and then south to follow the cliffs down and round to Agamand Mills. Follow those hills south again to get back to your starting point. Average amount of copper ore from this run, should be about 30-40.

Tauren: Mulgore. The natural geography of this place makes it easy to run around. Just pick a starting point and follow the cliffs all the way around in a circle. Remember to check out the Venture Co mine on your way round. Average amount of copper ore from this run, should be about 40-50.

Orc & Troll: You could just do whole circuits of Durotar, but there is so much copper round here that small routes are just as productive. My favorite routes are:

Start at the gates of Orgrimmar and head East towards Skull Rock (make sure you go into Skull Rock and mine the ore there too). Head a short way south to where that Orc is standing on his lonesome, then head back West following the cliff face (keeping the Zep Tower in sight). Carry on over the road and across the top of the canyon and on to the coast. Head North up to the cliff face and then East back to Orgrimmar. I get about 30-40 copper ores from this short run on a good day.

Start at Razor Hill and head West towards the Quilboar grounds. Hug the cliff face until you reach the river, then head north until you reach Orgrimmar. Head East until you see the first little farmstead, now head south and drop into the canyon. Follow the canyon out and head South East until you reach Razor Hill again. You’ll get about 25-30 copper ores on this route.

Alliance

Human: Start at Goldshire and head East following the cliff face to the north of Crystal Lake. When you get the north of the Logging Camp head South. Follow the river to the border of Elwyn forest and Duskwood, then head North West back towards Goldshire (make sure you visit the two mines on this route). This route should net you about 30-40 copper ores.

Night Elves: Your going to have to go to Darkshore, as Darnassus has no ores whatsoever! So start at Auberdine and head directly east until you reach the cliffs at the edge of the map. Now head south, hugging the cliff face as you go. When you get to the entrance of Ashenvale, head west to the coast and then North back to Auberdine. Head out from Auberdine, directly to the East (same as you did at the start of this route), but when you reach the cliffs this time head north. Just follow the cliffs to the North and back round the coast, heading South again to Auberdine. I find this figure of eight pattern to be easier than taking Auberdine in one whole route, but that’s just me. Feel free to improvise it. Normally get about 40-50 copper ores from this entire route.

Dwarves and Gnomes: Ah, the home of mining and possibly the best place to start, Dun Morogh! You really don’t need a route around here, copper is everywhere, if you can’t find a decent route yourself, then you’re beyond help! But, I will tell you my favourite route. Start at Kharanos and head to the Wendigo cave (you all know where that is, right?). Clear cave and then continue on West, following the cliff face. Carry on until you hit the main road then head North up to the Frostmane Hold. From there head directly east over to Shimmer Ridge, then North up to Ice Flow Lake. Now follow the cliffs down to Ironforge, on to Misty Pine Refuge and back round to Kharanos. This run normally nets me about 40-50 copper ore.

Another good run in this area is the Gol’Bolar Quarry. Circle the outside, around the top, then drop down and into the mines. I can get about 20 copper ores on this short run.

Mining 66 – 125

Mining Tin, Silver, Incendicite and Lesser Bloodstone

Estimated number of nodes to mine = 60

This part is a pain in the butt, if you don’t have a mount (well its all a pain in the butt, if you don’t have a mount) as the Tin Veins your going to need to mine are more spread out and not as common as the Copper you just being mining. You also stop getting skill up’s from smelting after about level 85 (Silver is the last thing to give you a skill up). The leg from 100-125 is also pretty bad, as Tin is green at this stage and therefore your getting skill ups at fewer intervals (just pray its a Silver spawn, instead of Tin, as this will still be yellow to you).

Horde & Alliance even on PvP servers you can still use these routes and areas.

Easiest way to level up to 125, is to go to The Wetlands and find Thelgan Rock (its near the entrance to Dun Algaz – 53,64 for those with location addons). There is a cave there, that is full of spiders and a quest ore called Incendicite. This is an Alliance only quest, but Horde can still mine the ore. Now the ore itself is worthless and only used to complete the quest, but you can mine it from level 65 until about level 125. The nodes respawn quickly and you can level up your mining in less than an hour if your the only one in the cave. If your Alliance and want to do the quest, go see Pilot Longbeard in The Miltary Ward in Ironforge for the starting quest. He’ll send you to speak to Pilot Stonegear in Kharanos, who then gives you the quest. Thankyou to everyone who suggested this, especially Plog

Lesser Bloodstone: go to the cave in north east Arathi Highlands, just to the east of Hammerfall (path to cave is at 80,40) and mine the nodes inside. It’s used as part of a quest chain that’s started in Booty Bay by Corporal Kaleb (in the tavern). You only need to keep four of them for the quest. Thanks to Garleth for this one

I actually combine two of my routes here, if I have time. They are as follows:

Start at The Crossroads and head West towards the entrance of Stonetalon Mountains. Then head south, hugging the cliffs as you go. Follow the cliffs all the way down south until you reach Blackthorn Ridge, just north of Razorfen Kraul. Follow the cliff to the main road and over. Continue heading east and then north up to the entrance to Dustwallow Marsh. Carry on going north until you reach Northwatch Hold and then head up to the Raptor Hills and the Quilboar Village. Now head back to The Crossroads.

Start at the bottom of the Great Lift in Thousand Needles and head northwest up to Camp Ethok, following the cliff face as you go. Continue on till you reach the border of Thousand Needles and Feralas, then head over to the other side of Thousand Needles and follow the cliffs south. Make a detour when you reach Highperch, as there are a couple of Tin / Iron veins here. Carry on heading south until you reach The Screeching Canyon. Have a quick run into the cave here and pick the couple veins that normally spawn here. Continue south past Freewind Post and all the way to Windbreak Canyon. Now head north, again hugging the cliff face as you go and make your way up to Splithoof Crag. There is a Centaur Village here, with a cave that can have 4 or 5 veins (both Iron and Tin). Mine it. Carry on north past Darkcloud Pinnacle and back to the Great Lift.

Combine the two routes above for a 90-minute (ish) trek that can net 100+ copper, 50-70 Tin and 30-40 Iron.

There only two other places that I bother mining for Tin and that is:

Hillsbrad Foothills: No route here, just do full circuits.

Ashenvale: Again no real route, just do full circuits.

But you could also try the following places:

Wetlands: Start at Dun Modr and follow the cliffs to the southeast down towards Raptor Ridge. From here either go around Grim Batol, if you’re a high enough level to cope, or follow the cliffs towards Mosshide Fen and onto The Igan Rock. Once there head over to Dun Algaz, then north to Angerfang Encampment and onto Whelgars Excavation Site. Now head north past Ironbeards Tomb and back to Dun Modr.

Redridge Mountains: Start in Lakeshire, head north to Rethban Caverns and follow up to Renders Camp. Head south and follow cliffs to Alther’s Mill. Carry on east towards The Tower of Ilgalar and then loop round that and to the south, heading towards Renders Valley. Carry on to Lakeridge Highway and over to The Three Corners. Now head back to Lakeshire.

Mining 126 – 1755

Mining Iron and Gold

Estimated number of nodes to mine = 100

*At level 125, go back to the mining trainer and learn Expert Mining.

From now on both Horde and Alliance can follow this guide easily, so I’ll won’t have separate sections.

Do the Thousand Needle route above, but take in The Shimmering Flats as well this time.

Desolace: If you’re Horde, start at Shadowprey Village and head into the Valley of Spears. Follow that through and out and over to the Kodo Graveyard (you could do a quick circle or move on here). Head east to the Magram Village and loop round and down to Shadowbreak Ravine. Follow that through and onto the Mannoroc Coven to the west. Carry on west to the Gelkis Village and make your way back to Shadowprey Village. If you’re Alliance, then start at Nijel’s Point and head southeast to Sargeron, then south to the Kolkar Village. From here you could carry on down south and complete the Horde run or head west to the Kodo Graveyard. From the Kodo Graveyard, head northwest to Ethel Rethor and then northeast ish to Thunderaxe Fortress. Follow round to the north and up to Tethris Aran and then back east to Nijel’s Point.

Ashenvale: start at the entrance to Ashenvale from The Barrens and head to the west. Skip round the Battleground entrance (only if your Horde) and carry on to the river. Follow the river north, trying to keep as close to bank as possible, so that you can see spawns on both sides of the river. Keep following the river till you get to just before Xavian in the north. Now head east to the next river and cross over to Saytrnaar and onto Forest Song (watch out for those elites). Now head south through the Warsong Logging Camp if your Horde or skirt around it if your Alliance and continue on down through Felfire Hill and onto Demon Fall Canyon. Now head west through Nightsong Woods and back to your start point.

Badlands: start at Apocryphens Rest and head south to Camp Cagg, then east to Mirage Flats. Now follow cliff face all way to Camp Boff, past Agmonds End. Head north past Dustwind Gulch and onto Hammertoes Digsite and then northwest to Angor Fortress. Now follow the cliffs west all the way to Kargath (or just before it, if Alliance) and back down to Apocryphens Rest. Remember to divert off slightly at each point where the Rock Elementals gather and do a quick tour of their spawn spots.

Arathi Highlands: start at Thandoll Span and head east then north to Boulderfist Hall. Follow cliffs round to Witherbark Village and continue north up to Hammerfall. If you’re Horde, loop round the back of Hammerfall and continue on to the west. If your Alliance, go as far Drywhisker Gorge (remember to check inside, both Horde and Alliance) and then loop round Hammerfall to the south and back up to the northern cliffs. Follow cliffs west to Dabyries Farmstead and then head south past Refuge Point and back down to Thandoll Span.

Alterac Mountains: start at the entrance to the Ruins of Alterac and head west past the Growless Cave. Follow the ridge around the ruins and keep going to the end. Now drop down to the coast (you can make a series of jumps to get down, without dying). Now head north to Dandreds Fold. Head east through The Uplands, zigzagging between the two cliff faces as you go until you get to Strahnbrad. Now follow the road back to your starting point. If you’re a high enough level, go into the ruins and do a quick sweep.

Stranglethorn Vale: couple of small but good routes here. First one is to the north of Grom’Gol Base Camp. Start at Nessingwarys Expedition and follow the hills around the front of the three sets of ruins (Kalai, Balal and Zuuldaia) and then back round to the north of them and return to Nessingwarys Expedition. Second route starts at Kurzens Compound to the north of Zul’Gurub entrance. After a quick circle around the compound, head south down to Mosh’Ogg Ogre Mound. If you’re a high level, then do a sweep of the cave and carry on south to the Ruins of Zulmamwe. Keep heading south past the Crystalvein Mine and the Ruins of Aboraz. Carry on into the Mistvale Valley, now heading west towards the main road. From here either head to Booty Bay or follow the road back up north to your starting point.

Swamp of Sorrows: couple of nice little spots here. Check around Ithariuss Cave where the Green Whelps are and also around The Stagalbog. Remember to check inside the Stagalbog.

[ post edited by Highlander ]

Mining 176 – 250

Mining Mithril and Truesilver

Estimated number of nodes to mine = 125

*At level 225, go back to the mining trainer and learn Artisan Mining.

So now we come the real money making stuff, Mithril. This stuff is used in such quantities by Engineering and Blacksmithing that you will always sell what you mine for a good profit.

Blasted Lands: just do full circuits, simple.

Searing Gorge: again, just do full circuits. You can do what I do and do a full circuit of the perimeter of Searing Gorge, then drop down into The Cauldron and do a circuit of that (inside and outside). Also remember that at level 230, you can mine Dark Iron, so pick that up too.

Badlands: two good places here. First is Camp Cagg. Just do a circuit round it, taking in the Rock Elementals spawn point as you go. Second place is Lethlor Ravine. If you start by the Master Dragonscale Leatherworker and head into the Ravine and loop round to the north and back out and south past Uldaman back entrance, then you’ll pick up a good amount of Mithril.

The Hinterlands: start at Aerie Peak and follow the cliff face to the south and east. Now just go around the south cliff face until your get past Jintha’Alor, then north up to Seradane and then west back to Aerie Peak.

Western Plaguelands: do circuits of the Ruins of Andorhal.

Azshara: start at the Legash Encampment and head east to the Bitter Reaches. Loop round to the north and back west along the coast past the Jagged Reef and then back down to the Lagash Encampment again.

Winterspring: start at the Timbermaw tunnel entrance and follow the cliffs to the east past the Hot Springs and all the way over to Starfall Village. Just before you get there, head south to Lake Kel’Theril and then follow the cliffs west all the way back to your starting point.

Felwood: only if your there. Don’t go out of way to mine here, but if you happen to be in the area (i.e. grinding Timbermaw rep) then look out for a few Mithril nodes here.

Stonetalon Mountains: quick circuit of The Charred Vale can net you 10-15 Mithril ores.

Desolace: grab yourself some underwater breathing potions and head to Ranzajar Isle. Theres a good number of Mithril nodes in the sunken ruins round here and very few people mine them. You can also take a run through the Valley of Spears and down to Mannoroc Coven to pick up the Mithril nodes there.

Tanaris: bit of a long one this, but can be well worth it. Do full circuits of Tanaris, but drop down into The Noxious Lair and The Gaping Chasm to pick up the nodes that virtually nobody mines, unless they are questing in there.

Mining 251 – 300

Mining Thorium

Estimated number of nodes to mine = 160

This is the reason you took up mining, Thorium. What a moneymaker. Your also looking to get Arcane Crystal from the rich veins, which will sell for about 20g each (depends on your server).

Un’goro Crater: just go round and round the crater, making sure you drop down into The Slithering Scar and take a detour into Fire Plume Ridge. There is loads of Thorium to be had here, which is why its farmed constantly, so you will be competing for nodes here.

Azshara: start at the Ravencrest Monument and follow the coastal cliff all the way round to the Tower of Eldra. Then head back west to the Legash Encampment in a zigzag pattern from coast to coast. You may also want to drop into the Ruins of Eldarath and pick up the couple of nodes that spawn there. Azshara isn’t the greatest place to mine Thorium, due to its natural geography, but that does mean its less popular and therefore your likely to have less competition.

Winterspring: start at Everlook and head south to the Ice Thistle Hills. Make a quick sweep of the yeti cave here and then back out and to the south. Keep going till you get to Owl Wing Thicket and make a small circuit there. Now you can either carry on south into Frostwhisper and Darkwhisper Gorge’s if your happy about avoiding the elites there, or you can head west over to Mazthoril for the slightly lower level elite area. Once at Mazthoril, you can either sweep the main cave (only recommended for Druids, Rogues or Hunters) or carry on up to Lake Kel’Theril and back round to Everlook.

Blasted Lands: not a massive amount of Thorium to be had here, but good for a quick run, whilst your looking for Mithril.

Searing Gorge: same as the Mithril run above.

Burning Steppes: No real decent run here. Just do full circuits picking up Dark Iron as well.

Eastern Plaguelands: start at Tyr’s Hand and head north past Lights Hope Chapel. Go past The Noxious Glade and onto Northdale. Head west to Northpass Tower and then south to Blackwood Lake. Carry on south to the Pestilent Scar and then onto Lake Mereldar and back to your starting point. You may want to throw in a quick diversion to The Fungal Vale, in between Northpass Tower and Blackwood Lake.

Western Plaguelands: start at The Weeping Cave and head south to Gahrrons Withering and then west to Dalsons Tears. Head northwest from here to the edge of Felstone Field and follow the cliffs north into the Northridge Lumber Camp. Follow the path up towards Hearthglen and then double back once you reach the watchtower. Head south and follow the cliffs all the way back round to The Weeping Cave.

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