From Moonglade's Waters to Arugal's Fall
Nanaki learned the sea lion's form, hunted raptors and thunder lizards, cleared the Ruins of Lordaeron and Shadowfang Keep, and walked the cat spirit's path.
The Road
The day began at dawn in Thunder Bluff, with a gryphon ride to Orgrimmar and the first sight of Jaggedswine Farm. From there I went on to the Tirisfal Glades, the Ruins of Lordaeron and the Undercity. I learned the flight masters at the Trade Quarter and the Sepulcher, then crossed Silverpine Forest, taking in The Dead Field, North Tide's Hollow, North Tide's Run and the Great Sea.
Later came Moonglade, where I met its flight master, then the Barrens by way of Crossroads and Ratchet. There I found the Sludge Fen, the Merchant Coast, Northwatch Hold, Raptor Grounds, Boulder Lode Mine and Bramblescar. A long road north through the Mor'shan Rampart took me into Ashenvale. I saw Nightsong Woods, Splintertree Post, Astranaar, Raynewood Retreat, Maestra's Post and the Zoram Strand, and learned the flight masters at Splintertree Post and Zoram'gar Outpost.
The evening was spent in the Ruins of Lordaeron and Shadowfang Keep, and the day ended in Moonglade at the Stormrage Barrow Dens, with a last return to Thunder Bluff.
Battles
The Barrens were hard on me. I fought a long string of Razormane Flesheaters and Berserkers, eighteen Flesheaters in all, and brought down Chol'aruk, an elite. I also slew the rare elite Gesharahan, and later Venture Co. overseers and enforcers, thunder lizards, a thunderhawk, and Ishamuhale the raptor.
In the Ruins of Lordaeron the dead came in swarms: skeletons, ghouls, spiders and broodlings by the dozen. Witherfang, The Butcher, Viktor the Vile, The Abandoned, Bjork and Rath'mael all fell.
Shadowfang Keep was bloodier. Rethilgore, Razorclaw the Butcher, Baron Silverlaine, Commander Springvale, Odo the Blindwatcher, Fenrus the Devourer, Wolf Master Nandos and at last Archmage Arugal were all defeated. I fell into darkness nine times across the day: in Thorn Hill, on the Merchant Coast, at Lushwater Oasis, in Tirisfal Glades twice, and four times inside the Keep.
Deeds
Many tasks were finished today. In the Undercity, Varimathras told me I had served the Dark Lady well. Doctor Martin Felben took the unstable potion I raced across the slime canal. Morbin Lightbane got his limbs for the fallen, and Master Apothecary Faranell took the abomination's head after the Ruins.
Wizzlecrank's escape ended with Sputtervalve in Ratchet, and Gazlowe paid for the heads of Bruuz and Baron Longshore. Gur'ak was thrilled to have proof of Chol'aruk. Dizzywig said we were "going to be rich" over the emerald. Dokimi welcomed me to the trade outpost, and Borstan and little Migi had their lunch. Mura Runetotem marvelled at the shell, and Tabitha Heartweaver, who asked after her husband, thanked me with sorrow. Dalar Dawnweaver said Silverpine was finally free of Arugal, and Keeper Bel'dugur got his Book of Ur.
In Moonglade I won Dendrite Starblaze's trials and the Great Cat Spirit's blessing. Turak Runetotem welcomed me back to Thunder Bluff afterward.
Fellowship
I was in and out of many groups today, most of them brief. In the Barrens I stood with a few strangers while we fought the Razormanes, and one of them was a tauren warrior who waved at me. At the Undercity I called out that I was a tank looking for a group, and finally found one for the Ruins of Lordaeron and Shadowfang Keep. I joined the guild Blacktide as a Grunt. I also called out "sup dawg" to a crowd and mooed at passersby, and one night I bowed before a stranger and danced.
Spoils & Craft
The day brought a good deal of gear. The Dredgemire Leggings, Prospector's Mitts, Flaring Baton, Big Bad Basher, Veildust Medicine Bag, Aquarius Belt and Idol of Shifting Tides turned up in the first half. In the Ruins I found a Jackseed Belt, Rambling Boots, Shadowgem, Tigerseye, Moss Agate, Jade, Malachite and the Slain Baron's Signet. Shadowfang gave me Rugged Spaulders, Baron's Scepter, Odo's Ley Staff and Half-Eaten Boots, all rare, along with Tanned Shoulderpads, Forest Leather Bracers, Superior Bracers of Power and a Zircon Band of Regeneration. Edward's Knife, the Seal of Sylvanas and Grizzled Boots came as thanks for tasks.
At my bench I crafted Light Leather and Cured Light Hide, and my leatherworking came on to 65. My skinning reached 135.
Growth
I grew stronger all day. The sea lion trials and Turak Runetotem's lesson gave me Aquatic Form and Cure Poison, and soon after I learned new ranks of Entangling Roots, Nature's Grasp, Regrowth and Maul, along with Faerie Fire and Hibernate. Later I learned Feral Charge, then Mark of the Wild, Demoralizing Roar, Rebirth, Healing Touch and Starfire. I felt each new surge of strength in turn, growing stronger four times by the day's end.
My defense, feral combat, daggers and two-handed mace skills all improved. Thunder Bluff now holds me in honor.