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Li Li's Travel Journal concludes with part 11
Li Li's Travel Journal has just updated with the final installment of Li Li's journeys throughout the wilds of Pandaria. Li Li has finally made it to the Dread Wastes, in search of her Uncle Chen. But there's nothing pleasant to be found in the home of the mantid. Will Li Li find Chen, or become just another casualty in the Dread Wastes? The final chapter wraps up Li Li's journey, but it also explains what the young Stormstout is up to now. Obviously there are reunions to be had, not just with Chen, but with the rest of the Stormstout clan holed up at the Sunset Brewgarden. And there's mention of a particularly touching quest chain in the Dread Wastes, as well. All in all, this was a delightful little series that served as a pretty good overview of what to expect in Pandaria. It didn't have the emotional weight of some of the leader short stories from last expansion, but honestly, it was a refreshing change. I do hope we'll see more short fiction from Blizzard as the expansion continues, however. As with the chapters before, if you like the chapter's illustration of Li Li warily spying on the mantid, Blizzard has made it available as a wallpaper, free for download. Don't miss the latest charming installment of the tale -- you can catch chapter 8, as well as all previous installments of the story, in the Expanded Universe section of the official website. Mists of Pandaria is here! The level cap has been raised to 90, many players have returned to Azeroth, and pet battles are taking the world by storm. Keep an eye out for all of the latest news, and check out our comprehensive guide to Mists of Pandaria for everything you'll ever need to know.
Li Li's Travel Journal continues with part 8
Li Li's Travel Journal has just updated with chapter 8 of Li Li's journeys throughout the wilds of Pandaria. When we last left Li Li Stormstout, she was on her way to Kun Lai Summit via hot air balloon, with a new friend and a new fuzzy companion at her side. But Kun Lai Summit is definitely not the most pleasant place in the world to be, what with the yaungol attacks in the area and the uprising of the Sha. But Li Li's problems hit far closer to home. Although Li Li's little bandicoon companion Shisai was friendly enough while Li Li wandered Krasarang Wilds, he's no longer quite as friendly as he used to be. It's a problem for a pet owner, and Li Li finds an unlikely solution at the heights of Kota Peak from an even more unlikely, if friendly, source. But this isn't the end of Li Li's 11-part journey through Pandaria. Li Li has more to see -- and the gate marking the way into the Vale of Eternal Blossoms has captured her attention. After all, the Vale has been closed off to the rest of Pandaria for thousands of years ... perfect for a Stormstout explorer. What kinds of secrets will the pandaren explorer dig up in the Vale? As with the chapters before, if you like the illustration of Li Li traveling via hot air balloon, Blizzard has made it available as a wallpaper, free for download. Don't miss the latest charming installment of the tale -- you can catch chapter 8, as well as all previous installments of the story, in the Expanded Universe section of the official website. Mists of Pandaria is here! The level cap has been raised to 90, many players have returned to Azeroth, and pet battles are taking the world by storm. Keep an eye out for all of the latest news, and check out our comprehensive guide to Mists of Pandaria for everything you'll ever need to know.
Anduin Wrynn broke my heart
"That was a close one! I can't believe you stood your ground against so many at once." Oh, well, it was nothing really. "You really have a way with people, Dawn. They fear and respect you." You think so? I mean, I do try to be -- respectable, that is. You don't think I'm too intimidating though, do you? You really have to be firm with some of these people, you know, or else they don't take you seriously. Still, I've been thinking if I wore my hair down I might look less fierce. What do you think? "Dawn, you did it. It looks like they're fleeing." Of course they are. No one's going to mess with a two priest team! Say, if you're not busy after this, I know this great little place in Old Town. Maybe we could get something to eat before we head back to the castle? Anduin Wrynn. You were gentle, but tenacious ... Also patient, and so wise for your years. You were nothing like I thought you'd be -- nothing like your father. Except for maybe your force of will. Yes, you definitely got that from your father. When we first met I thought we'd become fast friends. I can't deny you were personable, but it was your earnestness that really struck me. The night after our meeting I remember feeling a hope that I hadn't felt in years. With you, Anduin, I knew the Alliance had a future.
Reputation in review: The Shado-Pan
I gotta say, I really dig the Shado-Pan. I liked them from the first moment I saw them in the beta. I think a lot of it has to do with what kinds of characters make up the faction. While the rest of Pandaria is full of affable characters like the Tillers, who are free with food, drink, story and song, the Shado-Pan represent the other side of the pandaren race. They're the warriors, the fighters, the fierce, strong and sometimes dark side of pandaren culture. They are not welcoming, they are not particularly friendly, and to be perfectly honest the majority of them are pretty angry that we've shown up on Pandaria. Now perhaps it says something about me, but that fact in and of itself made me want to grind out this reputation. I mean, here I am, hero of Azeroth, killed Deathwing and interrupted what was going to be the end of the world and these guys are treating me like a total scrub? Oh it's on, guys. Not to mention the absolutely fantastic taste these guys have in hats. Have you seen the hats? I knew I needed one of those hats the moment I laid eyes on it.
Legend of the Brewfathers the way it's meant to be seen
On looking through the Pandaria exploration achievements, I noticed something that I thought might well have been Brewfest-related. An achievement called Legend of the Brewfather. Odd, then, that it appears in the exploration section! A little further digging revealed that it was, in fact, an achievement that asked you to seek out all the Brewfather Shrines in Pandaria. Now, with level 90 flying, this would be a relatively easy task if you knew where to look, and, of course, Wowhead's commenters know where to look already. But that wasn't any fun at all, these guys had to be discoverable without flying. So off we went, my yak and I, to seek out some Brewfathers. SPOILER ALERT: If you don't want to know the approximate locations of the three Brewfathers, don't hit the break!
Blizzard clarifies getting started with the Golden Lotus
If you're level 90 and wondering just where to start on those Golden Lotus dailies everyone is talking about, Blizzard's got you covered. Blue poster Nakatoir clarified the process of entering the Vale of Eternal Blossoms, as well as starting up those pesky reputation dailies. The first part involves a trip to the Temple of the White Tiger in Kun Lai Summit, which will unlock the quest to head to the Vale at level 87. Once you've hit level 90, you must train flying before you can start with the dailies for Golden Lotus. There are a handful of entry quests before the dailies properly begin. Keep in mind that as you unlock reputation with the Golden Lotus, more daily hubs will become available. The Vale of Eternal Blossoms is a level 90 zone in a way -- while you don't gain experience for completing the quests, you do gain the favor of the Golden Lotus, which is pretty valuable to a max-level player.
What is your favorite Mists of Pandaria beta zone?
Over on the US Mists of Pandaria beta forums, Crithto has posted a poll asking which new zone is users' favorite and why. As of this writing, Kun-Lai Summit has taken a narrow lead over Jade Forest and Valley of the Four Winds. That doesn't really surprise me; all of those zones have some really cool elements that I'm looking forward to playing through in the live game. What's a little more interesting, though, is that very few people seem to like Krasarang Wilds or Townlong Steppes. Those have only reached 4% in the poll. I didn't find either of those zones too terrible, though I confess they didn't seem very memorable either (which might be the point). The poll remains open until the 15th, if you'd like to vote! Full post below. Crithto You've tested, you've explored, and you've done a great job sharing feedback. Now let's sit back, take a breather for a moment, and chat about the beautiful zones in Pandaria. There are seven primary new locations to adventure in, and we want to know which one has been your favorite and why. source 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: Kun-Lai Summit
Kun-Lai Summit is the fourth zone in Mists of Pandaria. Located north of the Veiled Stair, Kun-Lai Summit holds tons of questing hubs, a unique world boss, and a dramatic variation in scenery along the way. The zone is huge -- it feels just as massive, if not more so, than the Jade Forest. Both Alliance and Horde will filter in through the same entrance, but where you go from there is completely up to you. There is both an Alliance and a Horde settlement of sorts in Kun-Lai, but you'll find you're doing far more for the locals than you are for your respective factions. As far as the story is concerned, Kun-Lai Summit has a ton of different quest chains to choose from, and the stories behind the chains are just as varied as Kun-Lai's scenery. Whether you're exploring the secrets of Pandaria's past, gaining favor with the Shado Pan, checking out the majestic Temple of the White Tiger, or just helping the friendly and charming grummels, Kun-Lai Summit should keep you more than occupied until at least level 88, if not all the way to 89. For a sneak peek of Kun-Lai's scenery, take a look at our preview gallery. %Gallery-159217% 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: Sunwalker Dezco for Warchief
Spoilers for Mists of Pandaria in this post. I cannot tell you how much I enjoy Sunwalker Dezco. As a tauren, I love the idea that there's a tauren presence in Pandaria, and that unlike most of the Horde the leadership of said tauren, actually uses the quotes around the word Warchief when talking about Messere Hellscream. I first met the Sunwalker in the Krasarang Wilds. He was leading an expedition to Pandaria inspired by the visions of his wife. After that, I ran into him again helping out against the mantid, then in Kun-Lai Summit at the Temple of the White Tiger, where he gives out a quest to meet with one of the August Celestials within the Temple of the White Tiger. After Xuen, the White Tiger, tests your mettle, he allows you and Dezco (if you're Horde) to go south. Pretty much everything Dezco says or does shows that he's loyal to the Horde, but clearly less than enamored with Garrosh and his particular way of leading it. Dezco is very involved with the quests leading to the Vale of Eternal Blossoms as well as Krasarang and Valley of the Four Winds, and he's at once a determined bringer of the light and a much more tolerant and reasonable Horde figure than we've seen in some time. I'm just glad to see a new, no-nonsense tauren lore figure, and to see the tauren taking some initiative in Pandaria. And I admit, I love the idea of a sarcastic tauren paladin. 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!
Dungeon Mastery: Shado-pan Monastery
Kun-Lai Summit is host to the Shado-pan Monastery. In Mists of Pandaria, you'll undoubtedly get a chance to experience and help rid the instance of Sha influence. Megan and I decided to check the place out and see what the deal is. We teamed up before when she carried me kindly tanked for me in the Stormstout Brewery. Like last time, I healed on my holy priest, Megan tanked on her druid, and we were accompanied with two hunters and an enhancement shaman. Your group needs to be at minimum level 87 in order to queue. The video above is a little under 50 minutes long. We would've been able to move quicker if I hadn't been in combat all the time. Yeesh. Even the Matticus needs a drink from time to time. Gu Cloudstrike Cloudstrike is the first boss your group will challenge. You'll run into Cloudstrike outside on a plateau just as you leave the first chamber. It's a three-phase encounter involving Cloudstrike and a flying serpent.
Mists of Pandaria Beta: Of replays and linearity
One of the most common complaints surrounding Cataclysm is the extremely linear nature of questing, both in the 1-to-60 experience and from 80 to 85. For levels 1 to 60, this linear nature almost works for me, largely because presumably new players heading through this content would like to do so as efficiently as possible. With a multitude of zones to choose from, the replay experience with Cataclysm isn't too bad -- particularly because it's really not that hard to level from 1 to 60 at the moment. And that's especially nice for new players trying to get the hang of the game. However, when you hit level 80, there is one distinct path to follow to level 85, and each zone in that path has been carefully laid out. Quests are divided into hubs, and each hub must be completed in order to move on to the next. If you're taking an alt through these areas, you must replay through the same set of hubs and the same set of quests. If you're replaying several alts, this gets incredibly tiresome incredibly quickly. Thankfully, we're about to say goodbye to that leveling model. Let's look at Mists, shall we? No spoilers, I promise!
Mists of Pandaria beta: Gurgthock's return
Proving that no vast, unexplored vista is too remote for a good bout of brawling for profit, Gurgthock has made a return in Mists of Pandaria, along with Wodin the Troll-Servant and Zena, Wodin's warrior kitten. If these names sound familiar to you, they absolutely should -- Gurgthock and his arenas have been a fixture in every expansion to date. Featuring battles to the death against various opponents from each unique expansion, Gurgthock's arenas are a staple of WoW expansion leveling, usually featuring some pretty amazing loot as rewards. Currently, my character on the beta is at level 87, and Gurgthock's quest is grayed out. The quest, featuring a brand new slug-fest called the Arena of Annihilation, is likely meant for characters at level 88 or 89. However, judging from the rumors at the Temple of the White Tiger, none of these opponents are going to be a particular pushover. In fact, there's rumors of one fighter simply called The Wrestler who can wipe the floor with any opponent he faces. The Wrestler? That sounds kind of familiar ...
