Day 04 – Your best WoW memory

This is my attempt at day 4 of 20 Days of WoW Blogging!

Day 04 – Your best WoW memory…

I’ve had so many good experiences, it is hard to narrow down to just one.

Was it when I hit level 60 in vanilla WoW? Was it when I got to be a part of my first serious raid that wasn’t a ROFLSTOMP? Was it the totally random heroic that netted me my very first hunter specific purple, or maybe when I randomly came upon my first Spirit Beast?

While each of these would suffice, I have to look back a little farther. I think I may have written about it before. I’ll have to search the archives to make sure.

You see, early on I was on my own personal quest. As a newb WoW player, I knew nothing about reputations and grinds.

But, I did know one thing.

There was a mount, a beautiful beast of claw and fang. A Night Elf Priestess road into Iron Forge upon this magnificent beast. I was stunned by the sheer awesomeness of it’s stature. When I asked, I was told that it was a Wintersaber Mount, found in a land of ice and snow called “Winterspring.”

As you can imagine, that day began the personal quest of obtaining the coveted mount. Needless to say, I didn’t know that it was one of the worse rep grinds known in the world (of warcraft).

The day I finished that grind was the best day of my limited WoW career. Riding into Iron Forge was a glorious moment, rivaling that of ancient Roman Emperors leading their captives in their victory parade.

The icing on the cake was when a low level character PMed me, asking where they could find such a beautiful mount.

By my pen,

Zwingli Whisperwind

P.s. I wrote this on the wordpress app for iPad. My advice is to not do it, but stick to your regular computer.

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Wintersaber Mount: Unexpected Challenge

It was so cold.

The snow reflected the light with such intensity, it was blinding. My face was becoming raw from the cold wind.

I need a new cloak, some new pants and jerkin. I definitely need some new boots. This cold wasn’t quite what I was expecting.

I was taken in by a sweet dwarf lady, named Donova Snowden. She lived next to a hot spring, and had a cozy fire on which we roasted rabbits that we caught. Hot springs! I couldn’t believe it! It was so warm, so wonderfully warm. Granted, it was hard getting to the tent from the spring without ice forming on my beard. But, it was so nice to just soak.

She told me a great deal about Frostsaber Rock and the Wintersaber Trainers. She was also worried about the Furbolgs in the area. I told her I would look into the Furbolg situation, but my primary reason for being here was the Wintersaber Trainers. She seemed to understand, she also smiled and shook her head. “You best be careful, Night Elf. There are sabers that encircle the rock; and they don’t take kindly to strangers. Don’t get yer arse ate off!” She giggled as she said it.

I smiled back at her and said, “No worries. I’m just going to see what it is like. I don’t plan on being close enough to be eaten by anything. I also need some skins and fur. I need something warmer encasing my frail exterior.” She snorted and stuck her tongue out at me as I waved and walked away.

“Come Darcy,” I said. My friend for many years, from Darkshore. She was a Moonstalker Matriarch. I found her in a trap, with her young dead around her. She was barely alive. I don’t know why, but I released her. By Elune, she was heavy! But, I carried her back to Auberdine and nursed her back to health. She has been my steadfast companion every since.

She loped beside me, beyond me, off the trail, beyond view. I can’t say that I tamed her, as much as she puts up with my existence. *chuckle*

I saw it in the distance…Frostsaber Rock. Its huge!

I was told that the trainers liked to sit at the top, meeting travelers there, who are brave…or perhaps foolish enough.

Something was wrong. It was quiet, to quiet. Looking around, I didn’t see any animals, didn’t hear any animals. Darcy seemed to stay closer to my side than usual, with her ears peeled back across her skull.

That isn’t good.

So, I stop. I close my eyes, listening intently.

There it is! A soft crunch of snow.

I open my eyes, but I don’t focus in on any one thing. I was looking for movement, probably very slow movement. I would only catch a glimmer, if I was lucky.

There it is! In the distance, up the road, in between us and Frostsaber Rock was a cat. It was a solid white cat…and it has seen us! In the snow, she…is it a she…can barely be noticed. She is practically invisible. She is huge, and I can only guess how horrible an opponent she would be. I might have to face her one day, but not today.

I tap Darcy on the shoulder, motion with my head. She nods, and we both begin to walk unhurriedly back up the road towards the camp.

I hear a sharp roar, a mocking roar. I know from which throat it has come.

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Winterspring

It’s been such a long road.

I’ve explored most of the Eastern Kingdom; and now I find myself heading back for Kalimdor. So close to my homeland, yet it still seems so far away. Teldrassil; oh how I miss you.

I hate this place, this place known as Felwood.

It is truly abhorrent in every way. I can sense my Lady Elune’s tears being shed over the corruption.

It’s been a long road up to this point, and I’ll be glad to put it behind me. How long have I been in this cursed forest? Has it been six months, possibly more? I am sickened by it.

I’ve raided these Deadwood furbolg camps, trying to prove my friendship to the Timbermaw. They finally accept me, though grudgingly.

At least I can now walk through their sacred halls unmolested. I’ve already visited Moonglade, but now I must move onward.

Down this other path is supposedly Winterspring.

This has been my goal, has it not?

Didn’t that lovely elf say that this was the home of the Frostsaber pride? Is this not the area where I will meet the fabled Wintersaber Trainers? Is this not where Tundra awaits?

As I travel through the tunnel, I notice a distinct temperature change. It’s…it’s…it’s getting colder! I draw my cloak closer about me and proceed closer to the entrance.

It’s so bright! As I near the entrance, I can’t hardly see for the glare. And the chill; I’m not even outside and I can sense it seeping into my bones. Why does this suprise me? What was I expecting from a place called, “Winterspring?”

I shake my head an chuckle. I will have to craft some cold weather clothing. This is so different from the hot, fetid grounds of Felwood.

As I get to the entrance I take a long look around. So beautiful, so pristine. I can only assume that there are dangers here just as bad, if not worse than I’ve seen elsewhere. But, I must go on…for, Tundra awaits.

By my pen, Zwingli

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The Beginning: So, You Want a Frostsaber Mount… Iron Forge

I remember it as a wisp of smoke, a fog of a memory. It is a shadow in my mind, as though seen through frosted glass. The frost of Winterspring would often remind me of it in the days to come.

You see, I was young then; now I am old. I was new to the Eastern Kingdom, and had just entered into the great dwarven bastion of Iron Forge. What a magnificent experience for a young Night Elf to behold! Even though my heart belonged to the wild, the forests, the rivers; I could appreciate why the Dwarves were so proud of their home.

The Forge, at the center of their existence. What raw power! The exquisite craftsmanship of their artisans with the hammer and anvil. Their suits of armor, seeming impenetrable; their weapons; seemingly unstoppable. I was in awe.

As I made my way around, through the cavernous corridors, I came upon the Commons. It was so full of people! And, they were from all over the realms. Not just Dwarves; but Gnomes, Humans, and the other worldly Draenei. It was quite overwhelming.

However, I knew not of what truly awaited me.

I know not whom the dwarven priests worship; but I am a follower of Elune. She watches over me; even in the depths of stone and soil. I can only assume that what happened next was upon her bidding. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the Commons; I saw her.

It gets rather hazy here.

My memory fails me.

She was stunning. She was beautiful. She left me breathless. A Night Elf woman astride a giant saber mount, the likes I had never seen before. She was both regal and wild. At the same time both noble and utterly feral. I believe she was a priestess; but I can’t swear to it.

Her mount was utterly stunning as well. It was totally unhampered by the battle armor of the regular mounts sold in my beloved Darnassus. It was as if the armor was beneath it, would only hold it back. It was rippling with strength, mocking every other animal in Iron Forge as inferior. I had always dreamed of being astride a Mistsaber, but something happened. That beast looked at me, and caught my eyes with its own.

I heard two words: “Tundra awaits.”

I was speechless. Being a hunter, I had an affinity with animals. But, I had never actually their voice. Yes, I had the same empathetic ability of other hunters. I could sense my pets hunger and overall emotional well being. I’ve heard that druids could understand them, but it has never been my experience…until now.

I did something totally out of character. I approached the lady Night Elf without my usual sense of awkwardness and trepidation. I had only desire; to know what and where the might saber mount could be found.

Looking down upon me, she pat her mounts head. “Terril, should we tell him dear?” The beast let out a terrifying roar, which made her laugh with uncharacteristic delight. “Yes, I think I shall let this youngling know of your family.”

“Know this youngling it is a long journey, one for which you are ill equipped.” She smiled warmly, but with all seriousness in her tone. “You’ve many seasons to live and advance in your skill before you can even begin the quest of endurance, patience and loyalty to earn their trust. Terril is a Frostsaber Mount; and she is from a proud and fearful family.”

She leaned down towards me, looking deep within my eyes. “Youngling, you don’t choose a mount. You earn their trust; and they choose you. It isn’t easy, and it will test the extent of your commitment. But, once you earn their trust; they are your most loyal companion.”

“Seek out the Wintersaber Trainers in Winterspring. Seek out Frostsaber Rock, but be weary. The frostsabers that stalk those hills guard their territory with a fearful fury. You will be attacked, you will be stalked, you are to be pitied. Try to not kill them, beyond that of self-defense. Attain to the top of Frostsaber Rock, and speak to Rivern Frostwind. Do what he says if you ever hope to be accepted by these great beasts.”

With that, they leaped forward; leaving me in total stunned silence. I didn’t know where Winterspring was. I knew not how to find this Frostsaber Rock, nor how I would survive the ascent. But, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Tundra awaits.

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