After Hours

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

By // January 17, 2007, 2:39 AM PST // markwkaelin

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  • We make it no secret that many TechRepublic staffers and members play The World of Warcraft. So it will come as no surprise that we were quick to snap up copies of the latest expansion pack for that popular MMORPG. The Burning Crusade expansion includes a complete new continent, additions to the old continents, and several new instance dungeons. Intrepid Warlock Elkwinkarma, leader of TechRepublic's Technologia Guild and never one to shy away from an adventure, took some screenshots of what he saw when entering the new continent known as Outland. Let the new adventures begin.

    Ah, new Windows desktop wallpaper.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Approaching the Dark Portal, located in the Badlands on the Eastern Kingdoms continent. Before the Burning Crusade, this was guarded by elite demons.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • A crowd gathers around the Dark Portal just before midnight Monday --- the time when the portal will be open.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Before it opens, jumping into the portal doesn't do much.

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  • There is an encampment on this side of the portal --- a recent development.

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  • The crowd and anticipation continue to grow.

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  • The crowd grows impatient and small fights breakout.

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  • Just before midnight, everyone is watching and waiting.

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  • Just after midnight and everyone is still watching and waiting.

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  • Tired of waiting the small fights become a skirmish.

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  • And then all PVP heck breaks loose. But still the Dark Portal remains silent. At this point I assume it is open, but I am disappointed that no event took place. The Dark Portal opens with a whimper and not a bang?

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • The next evening, the crowd is gone and the Dark Portal beckons me to the other side.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • The other side is slightly more imposing.

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  • But the monsters, creatures, and other assorted things (Mobs) are much more imposing. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

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  • There is a constant battle on this side of the Dark Portal.

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  • The combined Alliance and Horde forces, working together, are holding their own, but they cannot drive the demon enemy back from the portal.

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  • The Mobs are too big and powerful for Elkwinkarma to attack.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Demons are summoned by the big boss in the background and often drop in from the sky.

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  • Eventually, the Boss Mob joins the fight.

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  • Oops! Apparently he doesn't like having his picture taken.

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  • Someone more dangerous then Elkwinkarma gets his attention. Gulp!

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  • Now that's a knife.

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  • Luckily for me, the Horde general in charge gives me a mission to fly to the nearby settlement. I'm carrying important orders. As you can see, the law of gravity doesn't necessarily apply in Outland.

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  • The sky is striking. This is taken during the flight.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Demons roaming around strange crystal things. I have a feeling that Elkwinkarma will be paying them a visit very soon.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • There is the first Horde settlement in Outland. Even the mail gets delivered here. Those goblins never miss an opportunity for commerce.

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  • This is one of the guys running the show. Unusual to see a werewolf that doesn't want to eat my face.

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  • I would characterize the terrain as a wasteland --- at least in this particular area. I wonder what that is up there on the hill?

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  • Hmm, something rumbling in the ground nearby. I think I'll take a look.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Whoa! A nasty worm thing. No problem for a Level 60 Warlock.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Wow, that's a big mechanical weaver. From my perspective, this mob's level is ???. That means it would stomp me in about two swings.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • There are many strange sights to see in Outland. Here is a closer look at one of those crystals we saw earlier.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • There are several quests in this area, most regarding the demonic mobs inhabiting the area. Time for Elkwinkarma to get to work.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • There are two new races you can play with The Burning Crusade --- one for the Alliance and one for the Horde. This is my newly created Blood Elf Paladin, Kenirk. He is a bit cocky for a level 5.

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  • This is a view of the Blood Elf starting area. This is the first day of the Burning Crusade release. There are hundreds of newly created characters running around doing low level quests.

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  • Blood Elfs are big on magic. Here a broom sweeps up the various altars in the area. The imagery is vaguely familiar --- Bedknobs and Broomsticks?

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  • Magic trumps gravity here too. We will have to see if this a recurring theme of The Burning Crusade expansion.

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  • Magic towers abound in the Blood Elf area. The Burning Crusade shows great promise as an expansion for the World of Warcraft. I look forward to exploring.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

We make it no secret that many TechRepublic staffers and members play The World of Warcraft. So it will come as no surprise that we were quick to snap up copies of the latest expansion pack for that popular MMORPG. The Burning Crusade expansion includes a complete new continent, additions to the old continents, and several new instance dungeons. Intrepid Warlock Elkwinkarma, leader of TechRepublic's Technologia Guild and never one to shy away from an adventure, took some screenshots of what he saw when entering the new continent known as Outland. Let the new adventures begin.

Ah, new Windows desktop wallpaper.

© CNET Networks/TechRepublic
Mark W. Kaelin

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After Hours Innovation Hardware Tech & Work

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.