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An ode to old faces
In recent years, I've stated often that Blizzard didn't pull from the established stable of World of Warcraft characters nearly often enough. They focused primarily on characters from the Warcraft RTS games and, beyond that, only on the few new characters they've selected as "faction leaders." I've always felt that players rarely had real attachment to those characters. The faction leaders often played a part in a narrative outside of the player character; they had their own things happen wherein the player often played a small part, if any part at all. Players become more attached to the characters that play a role in gameplay -- memorable faces and personalities that are a part of the leveling process, ranging from questgivers to vendors. Though there are a few notable exceptions, those familiar faces never returned, with each expansion bringing in a whole new cast rather than utilizing the rich pre-existing world. I have to give credit where it's due: Warlords of Draenor changed that. While yes, it does commit the same sin of reusing RTS characters for the umpteenth time (and in the most egregious way yet), it's also the first expansion that has pulled from the little people of World of Warcraft's history. Familiar faces from all corners of Azeroth make appearances, some in big ways and some in small, and that is what has driven me to invest in the world of Warlords of Draenor, not the return of the orcish warlords. Let's look at some examples, shall we?
The Queue: Amber Kearnen, don't die on me
Welcome back to The Queue, the daily Q&A column in which the WoW Insider team answers your questions about the World of Warcraft. Alex Ziebart will be your host today. If you do, I will never forgive you. Chris asked: Is there anything new for Hallow's End?
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.
Mists of Pandaria Beta: Watch the Alliance intro to Pandaria
You've seen Garrosh get mad at a goblin and toss him around the throne room. Now, watch as Varian Wrynn shouts about the missing White Pawn. Join the elite SI:7 team on a mission to rescue priority target White Pawn. Lost in uncharted waters, you and SI:7 take to the skies on the important mission. The Alliance introduction is metered and well played out. I like the focus back on the Horde and Alliance conflict -- it feels like an old friend you haven't seen in a long time but can quickly pick up the conversation with again. Suffice to say, I'm liking this brand of cinematic storytelling over the Uldum type any day. It's open warfare between Alliance and Horde in Mists of Pandaria, World of Warcraft's next expansion. Jump into five new levels with new talents and class mechanics, try the new monk class, and create a pandaren character to ally with either Horde or Alliance. Look for expansion basics in our Mists FAQ, or dig into our spring press event coverage for more details!
Mists of Pandaria Beta: Ragefire Chasm from the Alliance perspective
Last week, we posted a video of Mists of Pandaria's updated Ragefire Chasm from the Horde perspective. That raised a question among the audience: Is the Alliance aware of what's going down there? The answer is ... yes! Agents of SI:7 have infiltrated Ragefire Chasm with the aid of a gnome sorceress. While the Alliance agents in the dungeon don't know what's going on down there or why, SI:7 is sure nothing good can come of it. You're tasked with rescuing a handful of the agents who came before you and putting a stop to whatever mischief the new "dark shaman" are embroiled in. If you'd like to read the quest text for yourselves, check out the screenshots in the gallery below. %Gallery-151515% It's open warfare between Alliance and Horde in Mists of Pandaria, World of Warcraft's next expansion. Jump into five new levels with new talents and class mechanics, try the new monk class, and create a pandaren character to ally with either Horde or Alliance. Look for expansion basics in our Mists FAQ, or dig into our spring press event coverage for more details!
Wrath Dailies: Cheese for Glowergold
I don't get the cheese in game. It's everywhere. I get that there are people operating a cheese shop in Stormwind as part of their cover, but everything else? There's something about Dalaran and its cheeses.My particularly favorite cheese at the moment is Gouda Cheese which originated from the Netherlands. It's better than the cheese they sell and produce in Dalaran. And it's also, you know, real.But enough about this "reality" thing. Let's focus on the cooking daily quest where you have to make your own cheese platter.Quest Giver: Awilo Lon'gomba (Horde) or Katherine Lee (Alliance)Reputation: Kirin TorReward: 150 rep, 9.9g at level 80, a Dalaran Cooking Award, a Small Spice BagMinimum Level: 65Required Chain: Cooking at 375 or above.Read on after the break for our walkthrough of the quest, complete with a few tricks you can do to get it done quickly and easily.
