Dreadmist Peak and the Crossroads Ledger
A morning of hides and plainstriders, a gryphon-less afternoon of new tasks, a strength gained on a hilltop, and one fall into darkness beneath Dreadmist Peak.
The Road
The morning found me at the Crossroads, and I walked out along the Gold Road into the open Barrens. Near the middle of the morning I came upon The Forgotten Pools and stopped a while to take in the view, then returned to the Crossroads to rest.
The afternoon began in Thunder Bluff. Tal spoke of the wind riders and their strength and speed, and I took the flight master's mount to the Crossroads. Then I wandered through Hunter Rise, the Golden Plains, Stonebull Lake and Galak Camp in Mulgore, down through the Southern Barrens, Agama'gor and Lushwater Oasis, and back up the Gold Road to the Crossroads.
Later I climbed to Dreadmist Peak and paused again to look out over the land. Afterward I found The Stagnant Oasis and stopped to take it in. I passed through Lushwater Oasis and the Gold Road again before ending the day at the Crossroads.
Battles
The morning's work was mostly plainstriders: half a dozen Greater Plainstriders, a Fleeting Plainstrider, a Sunscale Screecher and a Kolkar Wrangler. One Greater Plainstrider tried to flee in fear. A Sunscale Screecher shrieked for help.
The afternoon was bloodier. I put down eight Sunscale Screechers in all, seven Zhevra Runners, five Lost Barrens Kodo, three Burning Blade Acolytes, three Burning Blade Bruisers, two Savannah Huntresses, two Sunscale Lashtails, two Hecklefang Hyenas, and a Kolkar Marauder and an Oasis Snapjaw. A Burning Blade Toxicologist called me a foolish druid who had interfered with their plans for the last time. Moments later I was slain by something unseen on Dreadmist Peak, and I fell into darkness. I woke as a spirit and went to the Spirit Healer, who said it was not yet my time and named a price for my return.
Deeds
The Spirit Healer's price paid, I came back to the Barrens and finished "The Principal Source" for Tonga Runetotem. He found the water disgusting and was sure it was sickening the gazelles of the northern Barrens, though he believed something else was also at work. He then asked me for earthroot and kodo horns for a curative salve, in "Gathering the Cure".
At the Crossroads I finished "Plainstrider Menace" for Sergra Darkthorn, who said the plainstriders being gone would help keep the supply chains intact. She sent me after zhevra hooves in "The Zhevra". Mankrik, who was angry and hungry for news of his wife, gave me "Lost in Battle", to find some sign of her, and "Consumed by Hatred", to bring him sixty Bristleback tusks.
Later I finished "The Stagnant Oasis" for Tonga Runetotem. He marveled that seeds once dried and dead had come alive, and asked for eight altered snapjaw shells in "Altered Beings". I then finished "The Zhevra" for Sergra, who said I had strength in me and asked if I was ready for a real challenge. She gave me "Prowlers of the Barrens" and seven prowler claws. Gazrog thanked me for ridding him of the raptors in "Raptor Thieves", called me a druid of worth, and sent me after the stolen silver in "Stolen Silver".
Fellowship
No companions walked with me today, but the Crossroads was lively. A tauren druid saluted me, and I bowed in return to Ennokosha Frostclaw. Others danced near the inn, and a Forsaken rogue asked me more than once for a blessing. Most of the talk around me was idle chatter about passing travelers and the Alliance.
At the start of the day, the traders of Durotar Supply and Logistics greeted me. Jornah said they always need new contractors, and Dokimi asked me to return any lost shipments I find.
Spoils & Craft
Skinning came on well through the day, rising to 100 and later to 105 and 110. I crafted Light Leather and Cured Light Hide at the Crossroads, and then more of both a little later. Out in the Barrens I found a Hunting Bow of uncommon make.
Growth
Early in the day I was made neutral with Durotar Supply and Logistics. On the hilltop at Dreadmist Peak a new strength settled into me and I felt myself grow. My defense sharpened a little as well. Later my feral combat training improved.