One of the more entertaining things to do in the Burning Crusade, the latest expansion for the World of Warcraft, is traveling from one area to another. This is a vital exercise for any adventurer because that is the only way to open up new areas for questing. I recently took Elkwinkarma, the Technologia Guild leader, on a horseback riding trip from the Hellfire Peninsula to Shattrath City located in Terokkar Forest. While the ride does have its hazards, it also makes for some great sight seeing. Fortunately, and somewhat mysteriously, the screenshots of me running for my life didn’t turn out so well so they are not part of the travel log.
This is A’dal — he runs the show in Strattrath City
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Mark W. Kaelin
Before I left, a gung-ho Orc Wing Commander ordered me to bomb the Scourge up on the Abysmal Shelf. It was so fun I did it three more times.
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Mark W. Kaelin
That is a Fel Reaver — a mechanical menance built by the Scourge. Even my huge bombs could not destroy it.
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Mark W. Kaelin
However, the Fel Cannon in the foreground was no match for my bombing run. The workers and foremen running these weapons of mass destruction were also easy prey.
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Mark W. Kaelin
Once the bombing runs were over, I started my horse ride across country. One of the fitst sites is this large crystal off the side of the road in the distance. I will have to pay it a visit some day soon.
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Mark W. Kaelin
After running through some nasty, and very large, insects I made it to Zangarmarsh and the Cenarion Refuge. These people are looking for some help. Looks like I’ll be questing in this area soon.
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Mark W. Kaelin
Zangarmarsh is a very strange place. The prominent theme seems to be the color purple and mushrooms. Please no Peyote jokes.
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Mark W. Kaelin
There are some strange alien-like creatures roaming around in Zangarmarsh. I decided to avoid them for now.
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Mark W. Kaelin
A little further down the road to the south is Terokkar Forest. This is a slightly higher level area then Hellfire or Zangarmarsh so I was particularly diligent as I traveled.
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Mark W. Kaelin
Fortunately, Strattrath City was just inside this zone and I did not have to contend with many creatures.
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Mark W. Kaelin
The prominent feature of Strattrath City is the plum of energy streaming up out of its center. That must have some meaning — I look forward to discovering what that is.
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Mark W. Kaelin
There is a strong military presence here — the city has the feel of being under siege.
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Mark W. Kaelin
The creatures running the show remind me of the Ankh symbol. They seem to be creatures made up of energy and light. Very mysterious to say the least.
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Mark W. Kaelin
This is A’dal and he was very friendly and happy to see me, but I couldn’t help but think of that famous Twilight Zone that ends with the researchers realizing that the book, To Serve Man, is a cookbook.
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Mark W. Kaelin
It certainly seems we are being fattened up for something. We don’t get a complete pig at inns in Azeroth.
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Mark W. Kaelin
Here is a few of the city’s center. It is very picturesque.
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Mark W. Kaelin
However, the city does have a darker side. This is an area known as the Lower City. This area is where war refugees and casualties end up. There are beggars and thieves here, so you should avoid dark alleys.
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Mark W. Kaelin
Of course, war is also an entrepreneurial opportunity. There are merchants selling things you will not find anywhere else in the Lower City of Strattrath.
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Mark W. Kaelin
Lower City is even frequented by slumming socialites like the one pictured here. That is Haris Pilton of course.
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Mark W. Kaelin
Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the information technology industry, software, hardware, gaming, finance, accounting, and technology geekdom for more than 30 years.
