Harpies, Hooves, and a Fall at Dreadmist
Nanaki hunted plainstriders, zhevra, prowlers and harpies around the Crossroads, found three new places, grew stronger, and fell once in the dark at Dreadmist Peak.
The Road
The day began in the Crossroads, and I walked the Gold Road under a bright morning sky. At the Forgotten Pools I stopped to take in the view, then came back to the Crossroads to rest.
The afternoon found me in Thunder Bluff, where Tal said that from the back of a wind rider one sees how well earned its name for strength and speed is. I took the wind rider to the Crossroads. The land slid by below me: Hunter Rise, the Golden Plains, Stonebull Lake, Galak Camp, then the Southern Barrens, Agama'gor, Lushwater Oasis and the Gold Road, until I was at the Crossroads again.
On foot I found Dreadmist Peak and stood looking at it a while. Later I came upon the Stagnant Oasis and paused there too. Near evening I walked into the Dry Hills, and took in that view as well before the harpies noticed me. I ended the day at the Crossroads, resting.
Battles
The morning's work was mostly plainstriders. Six Greater Plainstriders fell, along with a Fleeting Plainstrider, a Kolkar Wrangler and a Sunscale Screecher. One plainstrider tried to flee in fear, and a screecher shrieked for help.
The afternoon was longer. Seven more Sunscale Screechers fell and seven Zhevra Runners. Five Lost Barrens Kodo went down, as did three Burning Blade Acolytes and three Bruisers. A scattering of plainstriders, huntresses, lashtails, hyenas, a Kolkar Marauder and an Oasis Snapjaw fell as well.
At Dreadmist Peak a Burning Blade Toxicologist shouted that I had "interfered with our plans for the last time, foolish druid!" Something unseen struck me down and the dark took me. I woke as a spirit before the Spirit Healer, who said it was not yet my time and that my return would cost me.
In the evening I went into the Dry Hills. Seven Savannah Prowlers fell, then seven Witchwing Roguefeathers and six Witchwing Harpies. Three hyenas, a Witchwing Slayer and a Kolkar Wrangler followed. The harpies jeered as they came. One promised I would be easy prey, and another swore its talons would shred my puny body.
Deeds
Tonga Runetotem took the water I had brought, and I finished The Principal Source for him. He called it disgusting and said no wonder the gazelles were sick. He also said something else was at work in the northern Barrens. He then asked for earthroot and kodo horns for a curative salve, and I turned in Gathering the Cure later that day. He said it was enough to make ample doses. He sent me on to Curing the Sick, to use the salve on ten sickly gazelles and to carry his thanks to the Cenarion Circle in Moonglade. I also finished The Stagnant Oasis for him. He marveled that the dried, dead seeds had come to life. For that he wanted snapjaw shells, in Altered Beings.
Sergra Darkthorn took Plainstrider Menace as done and set me against the zhevra. When I brought the hooves she said I had strength in me, and she gave me Prowlers of the Barrens. Once I had the claws she offered a champion among the cats, Echeyakee, whose hide I am to bring her.
Gazrog thanked me for ridding him of the raptors, saying I was "a druid of worth." He then sent me after the stolen silver. Darsok Swiftdagger liked my Harpy Raiders work, "real nice," and wants six lieutenant rings from the Witchwing Slayers. Mankrik, in his grief and rage, asked me to find any sign of his wife and to bring him sixty Bristleback tusks.
Dokimi of the supply company asked me to return any lost shipments I find.
Fellowship
At the Crossroads the Durotar Supply and Logistics folk were friendly. Pawani offered leather, hides and techniques, and Jornah said the company always needs contractors. Dokimi spoke of lost shipments.
In the afternoon a tauren druid saluted me with respect, and I bowed in return. Later a tauren druid danced with the innkeeper, and a tauren warrior danced with me. The Crossroads was full of travelers talking, and I mostly listened.
In the Dry Hills, a windshaper rogue and a windshaper shaman joined me. The harpies mocked each of us in turn. The rogue asked about sharing a task. Within a couple of minutes both companions had left the party.
Spoils & Craft
I found a Hunting Bow and, later, a Barbaric Loincloth. Both were of uncommon make.
At the Crossroads I worked leather. I crafted Light Leather, Cured Light Hide, and then Light Leather three times over and Cured Light Hide twice. My skinning improved four times through the day, and the hides came easier by the end of it.
Growth
In the Barrens, near Dreadmist Peak, I felt a new surge of strength, and I stopped to take in the moment. My skill at defense sharpened then. Later my feral fighting sharpened too. The maces I rarely swing taught me a first lesson in the evening.
My standing with the Durotar Supply and Logistics company is neutral so far.