After Hours

Technologia: The Shattered Sun Offensive rages on

By · August 8, 2008, 6:04 AM PST · markwkaelin

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  • Beam me over to the Isle please

    One of the most engaging activities in the World of Warcraft are what are know as Worldwide Server Events. These events aspire to involve the participation of all players of the appropriate level in a storyline that plays out for the entire game universe. The more participation of the population, the faster the story advances, and the faster everyone can get to the rewards. One of the most successful of these Worldwide Events has been the Shattered Sun Offensive. The main area of focus for this event is the Isle of Quel'Danas, which was inserted into the game world specifically for this story. Technologia Guild Officers Elkwinkarma and Ramekinwalk, took part in this adventure and we have the images to prove it.

    Initially, players had to establish a link to the Isle of Quel'Danas by traveling to Silvermoon City, but after the server population completes the first part of the story, a portal from Shattrath City is established saving everyone time.

  • Quest givers

    These four NPC characters provide the first set of quests. It is a joint operation of Aldor and Scryer factions -- normally they don't like each other. That is an indication of the importance of this quest line.

  • Statues

    The Blood Elves love their statues.

  • Moving along

    As the server population moves the story along more buildings open up and more quest givers are revealed. During the course of the event several instances are unlocked -- raid groups were quick to loot those.

  • Charge the crystals

    Whenever you see crystals like these, you can just assume that someone wants you to charge them. And indeed, that is one of your first quests.

  • Steal power

    Of course if you don't have the power you need for the crystals you have to take it - by force if necessary. And, trust me, with these mobs, force is necessary.

  • Demons begone

    Demonic influences are well-established on the island and have to be eradicated. The general story line is that Kael'thas Sunstrider's are trying to use the Sunwell, located on this island, as a portal to summon Kil'jaeden. That is a bad thing that must be stopped.

  • Periphery

    On the periphery of this major battle are the evil Naga. This image shows one of their most sacred shrines.

  • Enlisting help

    All over the Isle of Quel'Danas are the robotic Arcane Sentries. Unfortunately, some of these sentries have become erratic and you have to fix them.

  • Mob farming

    Another peripheral group on the island are the Wretched -- possessed blood elves. These lost souls carry some important magic dust -- the very magic dust we need to charge our crystals. It's okay, we can kill them, they are possessed anyway.

  • The main enemy

    The main enemy on this island are members of the Legion. They are in a battle with members of the Scourge. We can use that to our advantage.

  • Feeble attempt

    These guys know what you are planning and will try to stop you.

  • Elkwinkarma makes a run

    The bombing run called Distraction at the Dead Scar is what is known as a daily quest. Players are encouraged to complete the quest once every 24 hours. Here Elkwinkarma makes a run.

  • On approach

  • Ramekinwalk makes a run

    Ramekinwalk gets some support from a group of friendly NPCs. Unfortunately, their promised help is hardly noticeable.

  • Through the gauntlet

    The bombing run takes place in what is essentially a run through a gauntlet of demonic mobs.

  • Out the chute

  • Pit Lord

    One of the nastier mobs is the Pit Lord. Your mission requires at least two of these mobs to perish.

  • Eredar Sorcerer

    The Eredar Sorcerers look dangerous, but they fall pretty easily.

  • Close up

  • Evasive maneuvers

  • Heading back to base

  • Pit Lord staring you down

    The thing about demons, like Tribbles, they multiply.

  • See what I mean

  • Bosses

    One of the more interesting story lines involves the running battle between this over-sized Pit Lord and the dragon flying above him.

  • Dragon

  • Not to be trifled with

  • But neither is this dragon

  • More my speed

    After making about 30 days of bombing runs Elkwinkarma and Ramekinwalk got good enough to take both of these guys out in one pass.

  • Pfft!

    This guy would be dispatched just for the fun.

  • Autumn

    The island is very colorful -- in a seemingly perpetual autumn season.

  • Purple

    At night, everything would take on a purple hue.

  • Purple trees even

  • Reinforcements

    All of this fighting eventually catches the eye of the enemy leaders and reinforcements are called in. Another bombing run has you dispatching the reinforcements before they reach shore.

  • Burn baby burn

  • Hand to hand

    Burning the ships isn't enough damage -- we have to board the vessels and dispatch a view of the misguided reinforcements in close combat.

  • We are making a better world

    As the server population makes its way through the event more of the island is opened.

  • The last quest building

    With enough questing over several weeks, players open all of the content and gain exalted reputation with the Shattered Sun Offensive which grants you access to some fancy new trinkets.

    Overall, the Duskwood server, did quite well in this event. I am looking forward to the next one.

Beam me over to the Isle please

One of the most engaging activities in the World of Warcraft are what are know as Worldwide Server Events. These events aspire to involve the participation of all players of the appropriate level in a storyline that plays out for the entire game universe. The more participation of the population, the faster the story advances, and the faster everyone can get to the rewards. One of the most successful of these Worldwide Events has been the Shattered Sun Offensive. The main area of focus for this event is the Isle of Quel'Danas, which was inserted into the game world specifically for this story. Technologia Guild Officers Elkwinkarma and Ramekinwalk, took part in this adventure and we have the images to prove it.

Initially, players had to establish a link to the Isle of Quel'Danas by traveling to Silvermoon City, but after the server population completes the first part of the story, a portal from Shattrath City is established saving everyone time.
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By Mark Kaelin

Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the IT industry, gadgets, finance, accounting, and tech-life for more than 25 years. Most recently, he has been a regular contributor to BreakingModern.com, aNewDomain.net, and TechRepublic.

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