From Camp Narache to the Claw
A long day took Nanaki from the first huts of Camp Narache through the Rites of the Earthmother, three falls into darkness, and at last the bear's shape.
The Road
The day began at Camp Narache, where the grass was still wet and the air smelled of smoke. Red Cloud Mesa was the first place I stopped to look over. From there I followed the road east and south. I saw Brambleblade Ravine, Kodo Rock, Stonebull Lake and finally Bloodhoof Village. There I made the inn my home, and I will be glad to sleep under Innkeeper Kauth's roof.
The hours that followed took me through Palemane Rock, the Winterhoof Water Well, the burned Ravaged Caravan and the Bael'dun Digsite. I wandered as far as The Rolling Plains, though I have little to say about that, as the next part will show. Later I came up to Thunder Bluff and walked through Spirit Rise and Elder Rise. I also saw the Wildmane Water Well, The Golden Plains and Red Rocks.
The teleport Turak taught me carried me to Moonglade, where I found Nighthaven, the Shrine of Remulos and Lake Elune'ara. Near midnight I walked the Southern Barrens to Camp Taurajo. I met the flight master there and rode his mount back to Thunder Bluff.
Battles
The tally is long. In Mulgore I killed eighteen Bristleback Quilboar, seventeen Battleboar, fifteen Prairie Wolves and fifteen Venture Co. workers. Fourteen Bael'dun Diggers fell, along with thirteen Mountain Cougars and thirteen Palemane Poachers. I also killed a dozen Bristleback Interlopers, eleven Bael'dun Appraisers, eleven Palemane Skinners, ten Palemane Tanners and nine Plainstriders. Near Thunder Bluff I killed Enforcer Emilgund, a rare foe.
I also fell three times. The first time, something unseen struck me down in The Rolling Plains. The other two times were in Nighthaven, in Moonglade. Between those two deaths I won an honorable victory over an adventurer of the enemy faction. Each time I woke as a spirit and found my way back, a little humbler.
Deeds
Grull Hawkwind sent me after plainstriders, and later after "highly valued Mountain Cougar Pelts" and Battleboar snouts and flanks for the village stew. Chief Hawkwind first asked a "humble task" of me, to look for his mother at the well. Greatmother Hawkwind gave me a water pitcher to carry back, and that opened the Rites of the Earthmother.
The Rite of Strength meant Bristleback belts from the ravine. I also carried smoldering incense to the shrine of An'she and Mu'sha before it burned away. Brave Windfeather wanted Chief Sharptusk Thornmantle's head, and I brought it to him. Antur Fallow's furs went to the inn at Bloodhoof. Kaga Wildhoof taught me the ways of camping, and her trainers in the village showed me how to build for my crafts.
In Bloodhoof I helped many people. I brought Baine the Palemane tally and the broken dwarven tools. Ruul Eagletalon got his Windfury talons and Harken Windtotem his swoop quills. Mull Thunderhorn cleansed the Winterhoof well with my help, and Maur Raincaller got his remedy parts. Yaw Sharpmane got Chakuyak's pelt. I fed Ahab Wheathoof's runaway pup, Kyle, and I stood in the arena for Krang Stonehoof's sparring match. Longwalker Malah was found dead, her report still in her hand. I carried it to Brave Wildrunner and then to Baine. Morin Cloudstalker sent me through the Venture Co. business. I examined the ravaged caravan crate and sent the goblins a message at their mine.
The Rites of Vision and Wisdom followed. Zarlman Two-Moons brewed the Water of the Seers, and Seer Wiserunner passed me. At Red Rocks the Ancestral Spirit blessed me, and Lorekeeper Raintotem asked me to drive the Bristleback Interlopers from the graves. Cairne Bloodhoof greeted me at his door, and he now wants the Horn of Arra'chea.
Turak Runetotem called me to the Cenarion Circle's tent. In Moonglade, Dendrite Starblaze sent me to the Great Bear Spirit. When I returned, Turak set me one last test, Body and Heart. I finished it near midnight, and he said I had taken a large step into a much larger world.
Fellowship
The first minutes at Camp Narache were chaos. Tauren yelled across the mesa and moo'd at each other. I answered with a moo of my own, and later again. Later I said "lol too good" to a fellow druid who'd had the same idea about skinning.
I joined a few short parties in passing and left them. Near the end I yelled a tip that the campfire could go up inside the tent where the druid and shaman trainers stand. In Bloodhoof I joined the Blacktide as an Initiate. A fellow shouted a greeting to Blacktide, and I was glad of it.
Spoils & Craft
I found the schematic for EZ-Thro Dynamite and a pair of Tribal Pants. I also found two pieces of Malachite. Sparring with Krang earned me bandages to tend my wounds.
My crafting grew all day. I made linen bandages and a First Aid Kit, and I cooked charred wolf meat, brilliant smallfish and herb baked eggs. I cut light leather and made eleven Light Armor Kits at once. I also made a Camp Chair, a Basic Campfire Kit and a Fish Bowl, and I learned the Camp Tent. Skinning rose steadily the whole day, to Journeyman.
Growth
I felt stronger many times over the day, and the last time came at Red Rocks. Gart Mistrunner taught me Mark of the Wild, and Moonfire and Rejuvenation followed. Then came Thorns, a better Wrath, Entangling Roots and a stronger Healing Touch. Turak taught me deeper Mark of the Wild and Moonfire, plus Nature's Grasp, and the spell that carries me to Moonglade.
From the Great Bear Spirit's lessons came the best gift of the day, the Druid of the Claw's shape. I learned Bear Form, Growl and Maul. Besides this I took up Skinning, Leatherworking, Cooking, First Aid and Fishing, and I learned Two-Handed Maces. My staff, my defense and my maces all sharpened with use.