This is Hallow's End

I'm back! I took almost a month's break from WoW to spend time focusing on a few other games that came out or became free to play. It was actually a very nice and peaceful break. Thank goodness I bought a game time token before I left, because they are a lot more than I'd like to pay for one. At the time of writing this post, they are over 34k! That's about 6k more than what I paid. Ouch.

Honestly, I'm only back for one reason - Hallow's End! It's my absolute favorite holiday in Warcraft. I am once again going up against the Headless Horseman for his mount. I'm sure I've talked about this several times before, and the fact that I still have to complain about it is ridiculous! This year I have only three characters that can run it since I cannot fond the willpower to level up the remainder of my alts through Draenor yet. I have a good feeling about this year though. I think the Horseman's Reins will be mine! (I think I say that every year... oops.)

Onto better news, I never got to talk about yet another dream mount I've recently added to my collection. I have been on the hunt for a Feldrake for quite some time now. I had an average price I was willing to pay, and I checked Undermine Journal a few times daily to see if one went up. Eventually one was put up, and I bought it up faster than I could take a breath. I have no regrets! I wanted one really bad for Legion because I couldn't possibly imagine my demon hunter riding around on anything else. (It also looks really good with my warlock)

That about wraps things up. Me and Terky also have a bit of work as I want to write a guide on how to get him for those who are curious. I know there are a ton of guides already out there, but who cares right? As long as information helps someone, that's all that matters. Keep an eye here for that post sometime next week. To all my fellow Azerothians, thanks for reading and see you next time!

The Iron Tide

Last week we said goodbye to the era of MoP. Many people gathered to pay their respects to the Dark Portal. There was a ton PvP, silly talking, and just a lot of people hanging out and having a good time. I was pet battling in Nagrand, and the first time I went check there weren't many people. After about an hour, everyone starting gathering. I wish I could have stayed up until the servers went down, but I spend about 3 hours hanging out and even got to meet up with some people from Twitter.

After the patch dropped, I felt overwhelmed as always. Thankfully the days before I spent organizing my bags on my main and alts and placing them in the city so that they could be ready to go. Logging in felt a bit odd with the new character models and specs. To be honest, I didn't have any trouble at all looking over the new specs, re-glyphing, and re-gemming if I had to. My mage feels pretty good, and as fire I can pull pretty decent DPS. After I took some time with each of my characters, I decided to play though the event area in the Blasted Lands.

I really liked the quest line and while it was short, I definitely prefer this to just a scenario. I really liked the rewards that were given also and that you get a title at the end. The items helped a few of my alts replace a few pieces they didn't upgrade yet. The two mini pets from the event are absolutely adorable even though the Iron Starlette can make quite a ruckus! I also had to kill quite a few orcs to get the Bronze Whelpling to drop, but I'm sure Vol'jin would be pleased.

Hallow's End is going on now, and I spent last weekend Trick-or-Treating around Azeroth so I could get both mini pets. I managed to buy both and have a few candies left over to start saving towards getting some Yipp-Saron costumes. Those go perfectly with my Old God Fan Club so I definitely want to try to buy a few stacks. This is also another year that I get a chance at the Headless Horseman's mount. It's been 7 years and still nothing. Let's just say we don't have a good friendship at all... maybe this year he will be nice to me if I promise to share my candy with him.

Karazhan Crypts

First I wanted to start off by saying, I explored Karazhan Crypts way back in BC. The method I used to get in, of course, no longer works. Even though I'd love to go back there and explore, I wouldn't try to do it again. At that time, me and my boyfriend Pigletoos dueled to get in there. We used the mage's polymorph and with the warrior's spell reflect to basically "sheep" through the bars.

These screenshots are from sometime in late 2008. I kept my UI up in most of them so that the names of the places would show in the screenshots. That's why in most pictures you can still see the black box that was my chat window. I did my best going back to clear up and edit some of these photos, but remember, my graphics card wasn't that great at the time. Here we go... delving into the depths of Karazhan Crypts.

Horrors of Naxxramas

I have always had this deep fascination with Naxx ever since I began playing in BC. I remember on an off night, those of us who were attuned went in there to mess around. We didn't get very far, but from the first glances around the place, I was in love. It wasn't until WoTLK when Naxx was updated and reintroduced that I was able to experience all of it. I have to say it has to be in my top 5 raids of all time.

From the minute you set foot in there, you get this strange feeling. I don't know if it's just the design of the place or the extremely nerve wracking music, but something makes you feel a little unsettled.

Once you walk into your first wing, you realize that Naxx is definitely not your normal raid. While most of the bosses in there are quite odd and creepy, I want to dig into the few that I find extremely unnerving.

The Children of Goldshire and The Legend of Stalvan

While the Horde have their fair share of chilling tales, I find these two from the Alliance side to be particularly gruesome. The first one because we don't know much about them... so this leaves people to go wild with stories. The second one because everything that happened was documented! Sit back and enjoy!

Oddities Around Azeroth

In keeping with the spooky theme for this month, I decided to sit back, go through every zone, and find some things that I think are pretty creepy. Next time you're in some of these areas, I hope you will take the time to look around and notice some of these things.

Due to the tons of pictures and my descriptions, I decided to put this behind a cut. Grab a warm apple/pumpkin cider, a sticky tricky treat, and enjoy!

Transmog Time: Hallow's End Costumes

Since October is right around the corner, I have some pretty cool things planned for each week. I wanted to get things started with a few Hallow's End costume transmogs for cloth wearers, and some other odd items that would make for spooky additions to your collection! This is my favorite in game holiday (just like Halloween is my favorite IRL). I tried to use items that are available for everyone and not too difficult to farm if you need to. Plus, you could always find some items on the AH. Here we go!

Witch

Helm: Wicked Witch's Hat

Shoulders: Thuzadin Mantle

Cloak: Cape of the Black Baron

Chest: Black Mageweave Robe

Gloves: Black Mageweave Gloves

Belt: Fishy Cinch

Boots: Black Mageweave Boots

Weapon: Farmer's Broom - yes I realize this item cannot be transmogged, but how cool is it to run around with your own spooky looking broom!

Extra: I like to keep out the Feline Familiar since it's perfect for a witch costume. Also, if you get the Broom mounts from the Hallows End, you can mount on it and the pet will do the same on its own little broom!

WoWhead Set Link

Dark Conjurer

Helm: Chief Architect's Monocle
Shoulders: Black Mageweave Shoulders | Soulstealer Mantle
Cloak: Blackmetal Cape
Chest: Robes of Arugal
Gloves: Magefist Gloves
Belt: Sash of Whispered Secrets
Boots: Silver-Thread Boots
Weapon: Blade of the Unrequited
Off-Hand: Skull of Burning Shadows
Extra: Since this set mimics the Necropile Raiment which is no longer available, I thought using the Restless Shadeling would also give the illusion to another item that is no longer available; Haunted Memento.
WoWhead Set Link

Harvester of Souls

Helm: Thistlefur Cap
Shoulders: Duskhallow Mantle
Cloak: Warmonger's Cloak
Chest: Robes of Rhonin
Gloves: Gloves of the Blood Prince
Belt: Runed Stygian Belt | Cincture of Polarity
Boots: Saltarello Shoes
Weapon: Telaari Polearm | Grim Scythe
Extra: I think I would use the Ghostly Skull mini pet with this costume. After all the grinding out you will do for the scythe, you won't need anything fancier!
WoWhead Set Link

Ghostly Figure

Helm: Aurora Cowl | Cowl of Benevolence
Shoulders: Amice of Brilliant Light
Cloak: Formidable Cape
Chest: Aurora Robes
Gloves: Bloody Surgeon's Mitts - gives the illusion of having bloody fingertips!
Belt: Replica Virtuous Belt
Boots: Sage's Boots | Replica Virtuous Sandals
Weapon: Starlight Dagger
Off-Hand: Urn of Lost Memories
Extra: I would use the Lost of Lordaeron mini pet to follow you around. Also, to give yourself a true "ghostly" effect, use either Ethereal Oil or Ai-Li's Skymirror to complete the look!
WoWhead Set Link

Genie

Helm: Mystical Headwrap
Shoulders: Mantle of the Locusts
Cloak: Chromatic Cloak - Since this cloak would take some grinding to get made, personally I wouldn't even show a cloak with this set.
Chest: Robe of the Magi
Gloves: Gloves of Meditation
Belt: High Councillor's Sash
Boots: Elder's Boots
Weapon: Nightstaff of the Everling
Extra: For this costume I would definitely be using my Magic Lamp while riding around on Frosty Flying Carpet for a mount!
WoWhead Set Link

Other Creepy Items

Armor:
Spider Robes (1, 2, 3, and 4)
Corruptor Raiment (Warlock T5 Recolor)
Robes of Umbral Brute

Replica Dreadmist & Replica Deathmist Set

Cloak of Armed Strife
Dark Shroud of the Scourge

Weapons:
Charmed Cierge
Zhar'doom, Greatstaff of the Devourer
Staff of the Shadow Flame
Necromantic Wand
Eerie Stable Lantern
Surplus Limb
Manual of the Nethermancer
Book of the Dead

I haven't decided on what I will make Velgana wear yet. If you decide to dress up your toon this year, I'd love to have a look. Feel free to leave a comment below! 22 Days until Hallows End, and I cannot wait!