The Queue: Butterfly Wings

James asks:

With the addition of the Portable, Pint-Sized, Pocket Monsters, will we likely see an additional layer added to the system that allows our slaves-err, pets-err, companions--to evolve into more...well, visually pleasing miniature monsters? I just have this awesome idea that my Alliance balloon will evolve into Hindenburg; Hindenburg uses Conflagration! Hindenburg hits itself in confusion! It's super effective!

As far as is currently known (and feel free to check sites like WoW Pet Battles or WarcraftPets) you'll level your pets, but they won't become entirely new or "evolved" versions of themselves by doing so. You can see the interface that was displayed at BlizzCon, and keeping in mind it's purely a mock-up, it seems clear that pets won't change via evolution.

Cricket asks:

A few years back I took an extended break from WoW - nearly two years - and one of the reasons why I came back to the game had to do with the pervasive rumor that my characters would be deleted if my account stayed inactive too long. It seems silly, in a way, but is this something that happens? Or do abandoned accounts and characters ghost around the realms like some kind of pixely artifact?

Blizzard does not delete your characters if you cancel your account.

Deidare asks:

QftQ: Do you ever think that Blizzard will release a patch (or expansion) that would allow players to be able to play other types of races within their respective race? For example, being able to play wildhammer dwarves instead of bronzebeard? Or Dark Iron? I thought that Blizz would have done this for Cata, with all the treaties made and such. So would this ever be possible? And what about races like black orcs?

It depends on your definition of "play other types of races." You could fairly easily roll a Dwarf right now with a suitable complexion and hair color to be a Dark Iron Dwarf if you wanted to. As for Wildhammer, the only real stumbling block is the lack of tattoos for player Dwarf skins. Forest Trolls, Dragonmaw Orcs or warpainted Grimtotem Tauren would be a bit harder to swing, and deviations like Fel Orcs, Taunka or Broken Draenei would take an actual patch to make possible. Of course, you can always just ignore what the game is showing you and say what you like, but as for actual model changes, that will probably have to wait until the eventual model update (and probably won't be a priority even then).

Basically, I'm saying don't hold your breath, but don't rule it out either. Obviously, Dwarves with tattoos and Tauren with painted faces are in the game, so you never know if Blizzard will decide to make them accessible to players.

Brasson says:

Ladies and gentlemen, it is time for the triumphant return of Sentry Totem.

Can I get an amen? I said, can I get an amen?

You better run, people. You are not prepared for Sentry Totem.

Have questions about the World of Warcraft? The WoW Insider crew is here with The Queue, our daily Q&A column. Leave your questions in the comments, and we'll do our best to answer 'em!