Rell-Nightwind
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Mists of Pandaria: A new Alliance in the Jade Forest
Spoiler Alert: I am about to talk about the Alliance, especially its new leadership, in the Jade Forest on the Mists of Pandaria beta. If you don't want spoilers, read no further. Sky Admiral Rogers hates the Horde more than any character I have ever seen. She makes Joanna Blueheart look like a Horde sympathizer. That first part isn't a spoiler because it's pretty much all there is to Admiral Rogers, and I am fine with it. Admiral Rogers is seething with hatred for the Horde and everyone within it. This woman has one thing on her mind, and it isn't having a civil discussion to air grievances -- it's shooting Horde. For the first time since Cataclysm launched, I have just done quests that made me feel like the Alliance is accomplishing something. Granted, what it's accomplishing isn't always good, in a moral sense. But I've taken out two Horde warships, cleared the beach of Horde troops, driven an orc warlock to retreat, and then defeated the sha and orc slavers. All in all, the Alliance introduction to the zone feels like this is a faction that finally has had enough.
Mists of Pandaria: Meet the new faces of SI:7
One of the high points of Cataclysm questing as an Alliance player were the interactions with SI:7, Stormwind's masters of stealth and sneakery. Those interactions were infrequent but memorable -- who doesn't want to assassinate cultists alongside Mathias Shaw? As the war between the Alliance and the Horde ratchets up, SI:7 is absolutely one of the groups that needs to be in on the action, so I was pleased as punch to see them on the shores of Pandaria. While Mathias Shaw himself isn't on Pandaria, players are introduced to a new cast of SI:7 agents representing nearly the entire spread of Alliance races. Even the draenei have signed on this time around. Hit the cut below to meet the cast.
