After Hours

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

By Mark W. Kaelin

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Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

The crowd and anticipation continue to grow.

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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

The crowd grows impatient and small fights breakout.

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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

Just before midnight, everyone is watching and waiting.

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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

Just after midnight and everyone is still watching and waiting.

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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

Tired of waiting the small fights become a skirmish.

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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

The other side is slightly more imposing.

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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

Eventually, the Boss Mob joins the fight.

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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

Someone more dangerous then Elkwinkarma gets his attention. Gulp!

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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

Now that’s a knife.

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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Through the Dark Portal and into the Burning Crusade

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

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By Mark W. Kaelin
Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the information technology 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,