Writer's Corner

Thanks to everyone who's been reading my stories on IC Fridays. I've gotten a decent amount of positive feedback over the last year or so about them, and that's really appreciated.  Anytime you work to create something, you end up putting a piece of yourself in there, and it's nice to know others appreciate it. They are a lot of fun to write and I plan to continue into Cataclysm with them.

I wanted to touch on them today because very soon I'm going to be doing something I've yet to do.  You see, mostly I've looked to the actual adventures of my toons for inspiration.  That is, when Decedereful was poking around looking for her brother at the tournament way back when, Ful was actually parked there and I was leveling with her.  Also, since she's my PvP toon, it makes sense for her to run around to different BG locations.  Ful is generally spotted wherever we're raiding (being my raid toon).  Obviously the other characters follow suit as well.  The bottom line is that I usually try to have a loose linkage to what I'm doing in game.  That probably makes a basic kind of sense.

Now that we have the timing of Cataclysm, though, I find myself needing to advance the storyline further than I've actually progressed via raids.  Our raid crew continues to battle away at the Lich King, but we'll probably take it right up to the wire, which is what we expected going into this.  I think we'll all be pleasantly surprised at how much better the "curve" feels in Cataclysm, since we'll be raiding straight 10 together from the beginning.  In Wrath, we only solidified our team near the end of the expansion to take on ICC.  Imagine if we'd had all the other raids together building up to the last one?  Perhaps it might not have made a difference, but I'd like to think we would have ironed out a lot of the minor issues and gotten better at anticipating and understanding each other.  I mean, more time together should only help right?

In any case, I'm going to write in the demise of the Lich King from my character's perspective pretty soon here.  I'm noodling the scenes and storylines now to try to get an idea of what I want to do, and chances are it will not coincide with our actual downing of the Lich King.  I'm sure many of you are shrugging and saying "eh, no big deal", but to me it represents a stark departure from how I've been writing the story all along.  I still hope it'll remain entertaining and fun, which has always been my goal.  I like to throw in some drama and suspense, but at the end of the day my aim has always been to make you, the reader, crack a smile at least once.  That's what Fridays should be for, IMO. 

Anywho, I just wanted to bring that up today and give you guys a heads-up going into tomorrow's episode.  If anyone has questions about my process or just wants to chat writing... we do check the inbox at least once a week (it's mostly empty) and there are always comments.  We love hearing from you!

Also, as a teaser, Fuu has some exciting news coming up, but I'll let her tell you once she knows more about it.  Suffice it to say, if you're a pally tank fan, you should probably keep your eyes open for her announcement :-).

Raid from the Heart

Today I wanted to go ahead and plug Raid from the Heart. If you haven't heard about it, it is the annual Raid for a Cause event organized by Big Bear Butt et al. on October 16th of this year. I believe this would be, officially, like the second or third annual cause raid that he's been a key part of. It's not always planned to be annual, but it has sort of worked out that way for a few years now.  In any case, this year it is loosely tied to heart disease, hence Raid from the Heart.

I say loosely, because it's not like you go and are brow-beaten for donations are anything.  One of the charms of these events is that it's really just about people getting together and enjoying the good company.  Fuu and I have attended in the past, and it has always been a blast.  Usually there are upwards of 100 people, often more than that, just generally having a good time.  I got to chat with a lot of bloggers and readers that I'd never had the chance to chat with before, which was just awesome.  Plus, it's just something different and unique.  In my experience, being a part of something that is bigger than yourself always tends to be a rewarding experience, even if you're not donating money or anything like that.  Just spending the time is the important part.

Sadly, Fuu and I will not be able to attend this year.  We're batting .000 on doing anything cool or community oriented this year, and it really sucks.  However, on the 16th, we already have 3 weddings to attend (two family, one a close friend, and we've already made plans, which was a sucky decision as well).  Thus, our dance card is full.

I would still encourage anyone who's thinking about it, and free, to go.  There are more details on BBB's site, but the fun kicks off around noon.  You don't even have to attend the whole thing.  If you want to meet up with the group later, I'm sure no one is going to bat an eye.  Heck, you can probably just pop in, say hi, and leave if you want.  Like I said, it's about the company.

I don't mean to belittle the cause either. Heart Disease is something that's likely touched a lot of folks.  I know my grandpa had 3 heart attacks (and 4 strokes) before he turned in his last quest (he had a Cataclysmic health pool, apparently.  That, or stellar healers.).  Fuu's dad has had one as well, and is working hard to make healthier choices so he can be around to meet our kids (leveling up his exercise skill?).  It's a cause I think we can all get behind... Who doesn't like healthier hearts? Mmm...

Anyways, just wanted to pass along the information.  For complete rules and regulations, see the link above.  And by rules and regulations, I mean a Bearwall of explanatory text that gives you pretty much a play by play of what to expect.  Don't let the guttural growl scare you though: it's really as simple as popping in, joining the correct chat channel, and following the crowd.  Even if you get lost, folks will be there to help.  Trust me, bloggers will be the first to admit to getting sidetracked and lost, even with a cause in mind.  Plus, we like to help.  And we love to hang out and chat.  There should be no shortage chatter.  I'm sorry I'm going to have to miss it.  So show up for me!  Roll a horde of 'locks and represent, because a sharded heart is a healthy heart.

In all seriousness, this is one of the great and unique things about a game as big as WoW that is worth experiencing for the sheer epicness of it.  After all, not all awesome has to be served up to us by developers.  We are quite capable of being awesome on our own (and have proven that in the past).

Disclaimer: All comments above are unsolicited.  KeS, Shd. is in no way affiliated with Promitus Ursus Posterius Productions (PUPP) or the Big Bear Butt Blog (B^4). Kthxbye. 

Finally, Official Word

If, like me, you'd been waiting on something concrete before you started to get excited, well, you have it.  Blizzard has officially announced a release date of December 7th, 2010 for the Cataclysm expansion.  With all the speculating lately, I can only say: it's about time.  I will most certainly be penciling in a "personal day" on my schedule for that day.  Some may call that unhealthy, but I say everyone shouldn't personal days be personal?  Plus, my wife will be there.   That makes it slightly more acceptable, right?  I suppose I'm just lucky that, working among engineers, people have been known to take days off for much stranger things than mere gaming.  Heck, the first day of deer season used to be a corporate holiday.

In other news, you've probably caught an outbreak of blogposts regarding BlizzCon 2010 as well.  Sadly, as in past years, I will not be able to attend.  My duties as a football coach prevent me from travel in the fall.  WTB Blizz Con in November or July, ffs.  I'll be with you all in spirit.  Drink one for me, and hit up the TNB meet-up if you can.  I've always wanted to go to that. 

Oh, and we'll likely be purchasing Collector's Editions.  Does anyone have a link where they've told us what's going to be in them?  Pricing in the release has them listed at ~$80, and after getting the Starcraft II CE, it was totally worth it.  We may just get one CE and the other copy normal though... it depends on how unique the swag is.

(Edit: Thanks to Elkagorasa for the link to the Amazon item.  Totally tells what is all in the CE.  I just hadn't looked it up before since I was waiting on a concrete date to get excited.  I think we'll have to get two for the cards and pet...  I may have to donate the DVD, artbook, etc to some sort of prize giveaway or something, since you really don't need two of those.  Hmm... we'll see.)

I would guess this means that 4.0 is imminent.  Maybe tomorrow?  Probably by the end of the month for sure.  I can't wait for the chance to get in on the new talent trees and such.  You won't see anything from me until they're made official, though.  I hate having the rug pulled out from under me! 

In slightly more personal news, I'm totally excited to have blogged through an entire expansion.  I remember, back when I started near the end of TBC, I first created the "Expansion" tag for early posts.  I thought: "I wonder if I'll ever re-use this tag after Wrath drops."  I mean, there were two big if's at that time.  First, if WoW would even have another expansion (decently likely at the time).  Second, if I would make it this long enjoying a game enough to continue writing about it (probably a less likely phenomenon).  I'm happy to say that both conditions have been met, and I'm still going strong.  The community and wonderful readers like yourself are a big part of that, so thanks!  I don't plan on going anywhere for Cataclysm, nor changing a whole lot up.  :-)

Invasion of the In-laws

They stood before the manor while the first touches of sunlight bled over the horizon.  Most of their traveling had been done at night.  Folks in the Eastern Kingdoms still tended to be wary about Undead near their homes, and Abigora didn't want to have to put her best friend's parents in shackles just for show.  Besides, the Captain probably wouldn't take too well to that, and the last thing she needed was a faction skirmish.

Abi took the moment to study the structure in front of her.  She had been calling it home for the last several years, after being taken in by her oath sister, but hadn't seen much of its exterior.  It really was a sprawling house, meant to accommodate more than just one family.  A large, iron gate stood open and a pathway ran from there, up a few stone steps to the front of the wooden abode.  The narrow, peaked windows cast an almost religious air to the architecture, but the dark purple paint said it was anything but a cathedral.  The lawn was shaggy and unkempt, with several gnarled trees spread haphazardly around the property.  In the back, a graveyard held several generations of former occupants. 

Fulguralis had purchased the manor shortly after getting married.  They had outgrown their previous quarters, and this menacing structure had been wallowing, unsold for several years.  Apparently it's owners had been staunch supporters of Arthas, and the place was said to be haunted by their former spirits after he betrayed them.   They had yet to find any ghosts.  All in all, it was a rather picturesque house for a Warlock, yet the touches of a Paladin were not unnoticed.  Around back a stable held a multitude animals, and there was a sparring yard with several wooden training dummies that could just be glimpsed from the front.

Strangely, there also seemed to be a spot where the grass had been trampled, as if by a tent.  Who would camp in the yard before the manor though?  They always had open rooms.  In addition, there were several scraps of clothing lying discarded around the area, as if someone, in a fit of fashion passion, had ripped a shirt to shreds.  It was odd, so Abi filed it away for later investigation.  She had enough on her hands right now.

"Oh what an... interesting house!" Minerva exclaimed happily, hopping off her mount and striding up to the gate.  She eyed some of the overgrown shrubbery with a scowl.  "It could use some T-L-C, but nothing a mother's love can't fix!"

"Hmpf," the Captain snorted.  "I thought it'd be bigger."

"I believe it's normally in much better repair," Abigora stated.  "However, habitation has been sporadic as of late, what with the fighting and all."

"Of course, dear," Minnie said.   "A few nice curtains will spruce this place right up."

"Here we go with the curtains again," the Captain said under his breath with an roll of his eyes.  Abigora was afraid the gesture might cause one to fall out.

"What was that, honey?" Minnie asked.

"I said: let's see this Warlock," Captain Brightrune commanded.

"Well," Minnie said, casting a baffling look at her husband, "I don't see how a door lock will help things.  I'm sure they have one of those already.  Really, Melvin."

The Captain scowled.  "Warrrrrlock, honey.  Our daughter's... husband."

"Yes, yes.  I'm sure our daughter has a dust bin." Minnie said, waving a hand and sauntering away.

Brightrune sighed, then gestured for Abigora to lead the way up to the manor.  Abi obliged, sending her mount around to the stable in back.  The stone steps led her up to the large, oaken double-doors.  She grabbed the iron knocker, letting it swing down one with a resounding clack.  Knocking was unnecessary, but Abi felt the urge to warn anyone inside of the impending invasion.  There was no answer.

Abi swung the door open and stepped inside.  It wasn't nearly as dusty as she'd expected.  In fact, it seemed like someone had been here recently.  Perhaps Decedereful had returned, looking for her?  If so, the poor girl was a bit late.  After all, Abi had decided to bring in the big guns.  Still, the extra information wouldn't hurt.  Warlocks never were the quickest to trust.

A large sitting room stood before them, old furniture that went mostly unused even when they were all in residence.  The spent most of their time in the kitchen and dining alcove that lay off to the right through a set of large, perpetually open doors.  A curving stair wound up from the first floor to second on the far side of the sitting room, creating a balcony that overlooked the entryway.  Nestled in the curve of the stairway was a wooden bar with stools.  A large, horned skull, ostensibly demonic, was mounted on the wall behind the counter. 

There were several windows along the wall, without curtains, and the faint light they let in was all that brightened the room at the moment.  The sconces on the walls were unlit, and a large chandelier hung overhead.  Abi couldn't recall ever seeing the chandelier lit up.  They normally came in and out through the back door that led to the stable through the kitchen, so there wasn't ever much of a reason to light the main entry.

The Brightrunes shuffled in behind her, dead eyes sweeping the interior.  Minerva immediately focused on the windows, wandering over to them and fluffing up the furniture as she sized the room up.  The Captain frowned and marched straight to the bar.  Abi quickly checked to see if any note was left on the kitchen table, then returned to the sitting room.  She walked over to the bar and pulled up a stool.

The Captain rummaged around behind the bar, pulling out random bottles and holding them up in the pale light.  He was obviously looking for something specific.  Minerva had found a broom from somewhere and was sweeping the hardwood floors.  Brightrune eyed his wife, then disappeared behind the counter.  Abi could hear him clanking bottles together as he reached deeply into the stores.  He re-emerged with a triumphant grin and a quite dusty bottle.

"Gold mine," he said, cradling the bottle almost reverently.

"Eh?" Minnie grunted from across the room.

"Nothing, dear," the Captain said.

His wife eyed him suspiciously.  Then, she turned to Abigora and smiled.  "Abi, could you be a peach and go find me a mop, and some fadeleaf please?"

"Fadeleaf?" Abigora asked.

"Yep, it'll get these bloodstains right out of the floorboards," Minnie explained.

Abi stood up and disappeared into the kitchen, returning almost immediately with the items.

"Thank you, dear!" Minnie said with a smile.  "Now, Melvin, go and fetch me a glass of water from the well out back.  I know I saw a well out back."

"What do you need that for?" the Captain groaned.  He had just been pouring himself a glass of dark liquid from the dusty bottle.

"No, honey, not a wild boar," Minnie said.  "Just a glass of water."

Grumbling to himself, the Captain marched out the front door.  Abigora sat back down at the bar after handing her items off.   Minerva leaned the mop against one of the chairs and then made a couple simple gestures in the air.  A bucket of water appeared at her feet.  She crushed the fadeleaf between her hands and dropped the pieces into the water.  Finally, she waved a hand at the mop, which floated up in the air, dipped itself in the water, and began dancing on the floor.   Nodding at the enchanted mop, Minerva walked over to a seat and patted the one next to her, looking meaningfully at Abigora.  Abi walked over and joined her. 

"There isn't a well out back," Abigora stated.

Minnie patted the Night Elf's hand, "I know, dear, but looking for it will keep Melvin busy for a while."

She waved her hands again and a pot of steaming tea appeared on a table beside them with two cups.  The pot rose up in the air, and poured its steaming contents into each cup.  Minerva took one cup for herself, and then handed the other to Abigora.

"Now, dear, tell me about this Warlock."

Americanized Entitlement

Entitlement is a term we hear thrown around a lot these days.  It's such a bad word isn't it?  Entitlement.  Like Newb.  Or Casual.  Or Elitist.  Or Moron and Slacker.  Or Huntard.   Or Mage.  They're all of the same ilk, aren't they?  It's all about labeling, negatively, other players.  It's about how the attitudes of others are obviously disillusioned or wrong.

We hear all the time about how this overblown sense of entitlement is ruining the game.  About how Blizzard has cultivated a crop of gamers in Wrath who feel entitled to things.  Every time I read it, I can help but think we're misusing the term a bit.  It has such a pejorative cast to it right now, that calling someone "entitled" is like calling someone an asshat.

Yet, entitlement is what America was founded on.  Americans, after all, are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  It's right there, written on aged, yellowy paper.  I can't speak for the other countries that make up the WoW-iverse, but I would assume they have similar statements of entitlement somewhere in their government documentation.  Entitlement is essentially synonymous with "rights", though usually a bit more personal and perceived rather than a global truth.  In that regard, we have a whole Bill of Entitlements.  Right or wrong, that's how the government I'm most familiar with (and live in) started: with a sense of entitlement.

Now, I'm not saying entitlement can't be overblown.  In fact, an exaggerated sense of entitlement is one of the key characteristics of Narcissistic Personality Disorder.  Entitlement, when taken to extremes, can certainly be bad. However, I can't help but want to ameliorate the term.  There can be such a thing as a healthy sense of entitlement.

So I ask you, dear reader, to think about the things in WoW that it is appropriate to feel entitled to.  If we were to make a Declaration of Co-dependence to send to Blizzard, what would our inalienable rights be?  If we were writing an Azerothian Bill of Rights, what would be contained within?  Or, if you're more comfortable in a Constitutional Monarchy: if you were writing An Act Declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subject and Settling the Succession of the Crown, what might be writ therein?  Or, if you're living in Soviet Russia: what would Bill of Rights write about you?  (I'm being facetious, of course.  Current-day Russia is no longer a Soviet Union, it is a Semi-presidential Republic.)

Here, I'll get the party started first:

We, the denizens of Azeroth, in order to form a less arbitrarily insulting society do ordain and establish these points of entitlement:

1. We shall be provided with a playable game, without having to put up with an unreasonable amount of downtime.  We get Tuesday maintenance, but if your shit crashes on a Saturday night... it's on.
2. Taxation by subscription only.  If you start nickle and diming us for content, there will be hell to pay.  Sparkly ponies are, apparently, okay.  Be careful though, we wouldn't want to have to go all Tea Party on your ass.  Alternatively, we're not completely opposed to other business models, it would just be tough to switch horses in midstream, if you will.  We could always pull a Prohibition on this one if you come up with something wickedly cool that we've never even heard of.  Then we could go back when it doesn't work.
3. There shall be varied raids.  Facelifts on old raids are okay so long as they play well at the current maximum level.  Complete reuse is only permissible in the case of Onyxia, because she was an awful awful bitch.  And maybe Ragnaros, you can do him too.  I like his yelling.
4. There shall be levels, and we shall be able to gain them.  Leveling is important too, mmkay?
5. PvP is optional, but you already got our hopes up, so you'd better make it good.
6. Trees and abilities shall be roughly balanced.  One class shall not be exorbitantly greater in prowess than another by design.  We shall term this being "OP" and it shall be unacceptable.  We reserve the right to complain, loudly, when we perceive imbalance, however we acknowledge that we may not be right, and/or it was not done intentionally.  In that case, it shall be fixed... pronto.
7. The environment shall be poly-climatic.  We want to be able to explore and see different things.  Don't George Lucas us and give us entire planets of only one ecosystem.  Though, if you give us multiple planets, we may not complain in that case either.  Just mix it up, ffs.
8. Communication shall be enabled and convenient. This could fall under article 1, since communication is key for an MMO, but we made another one just to be sure you "got it".  In addition, we shall have the right to "block" certain unsavory characters from "spamming" our chat fields.  You should probably ban those gold sellers too.  They're bad juju.
9. There shall be some degree of challenge to the game.  If a one celled organic player, we'll call him Parameciumlol, can clear all the content, then you haven't lived up to your charter.  Similar to the "OP" clause, we reserve the right to submit varied opinions as to the current and future potential levels of "challenge".  We will probably submit them in the form of vitriol and ragequitting, but we might surprise you and be loquacious too.  In either case, you need only make sure there is something challenging in the game to satisfy this article.  
10. Our personal information shall not be shared with "creepy" collectives or individuals.  Creepy shall be defined on a person by person basis as "anyone who we strongly do not wish to have show up at our front f-in door or send crap in mail, both electronic and snail."   Investigative committees may be formed to help define key terms "personal" and "information" and "shared" and "be", but just be careful because this one is impeachment worthy for a lot of folks.  

What's on your list?

The Dark Lord Approves

Finally picked up my top tier helm last night. I haven't really needed to upgrade my gear since, for a ten man group, I'm mostly decked out in the best you can get (for reasonable effort). The helm, however, was a minor upgrade, and I finally had amassed enough frost emblems to nab it. It was sort of a side-goal. Anyways, I think it looks suitably evil.

I feel like a Death Eater. 

QotD: DPS... wtf is wrong with you?

Hey Gang!

Since there is almost nothing else to do in the game, many people are going back and finishing up a few things while they have the time.

Since Fuubaar is my "Achievement Whore", she's been going back and grinding reputation with a few random factions and FINALLY finished up the Argent Tournament Cities last night. THANK THE LORD! The only other reason to return now is for grinding out the Champion Seals for rewards. I would like to pick up the Squire Pony so that I'm able to access by bank or what ever he allows me to do. I think that this might be helpful for the 80-85 leveling grind coming here shortly. Also, with the interesting news that has just hit the fan "aka MMO-Champion.com" regarding the Portal Replacement Operation: Make Travel Inconvenient, I might have to go ahead & get the Travel Tabard as well that teleports you to the Argent Tournament grounds. It's either that or pay a mage every time I want to go to Dalaran, or buy that rediculous Teleport Ring. Come to think of it though, how often did I go back to Shatt after Wrath came out? Not all that often. I did hear that they are keeping the portal to the Tenaris instances though so, that might actually come in handy if you need to get down there quickly. We shall see I guess :-/

Many people are also trying to get their mid to high level alts to level cap for what ever reason. I have been slowly working on my level 70 Hunter because might as well have 3 level 80s when Cata hits. I've been leveling her professions while queuing up for random dungeons.

Now, queuing up as DPS is always slow. I've finally witnessed this first hand. That specific topic has been hit on many times and I'm not intending to discuss it in great detail. What I did find interesting though was that there was no jump in queue times from lower levels to Northrend LFG. It all seemed roughly 30-45 minutes each time as DPS. If I'm on a toon that can help not queue up as DPS, I'll do it in a heartbeat. My Priest will queue up as a healer even though I rarely ever PvE on her so she wears her PvP DPS gear to heal in. Fuu obviously only queues up as Tank. Yes, I'm quite spoiled with wait times on healers & Tanks.

So, here's what I'm curious about. If DPS have to wait for 30+ minutes to get into a dungeon, why do tanks only see them as drooling idiots that wipe groups because of their impatience or randomly drop group because it's taking more than 10 minutes? WHY?! I just don't get it!

Here's my story from last night:

My hunter was running around mining waiting for a queue and 28 minutes later, it pops, so I accept. It's Utgard Keep and everyone seems ready to go. I throw my hunters mark on one of the targets, we kill the two mobs at the front door & one of the DPS drops. A few seconds later, the tank drops. It's just me, the healer & the lonely warlock left behind completely confused and unsatisfied. We wait next to the front door for probably 10 minutes with nothing. Finally, the other two drop group & I leave. It was by far the most depressing thing I've ever seen. I just wasted 45 minutes for two mobs worth of XP.



This is how my hunter felt when everyone left ...


You would think that having to wait that long, DPS would beg the tanks & healers for forgiveness & grovel at their feet to stay around for another dungeon or two. I would never dream of acting up in a Dungeon as a DPS for fear I'll be kicked out and have to sit in the queue again for 30 more minutes. I just don't understand it...

Perhaps you could help me out?

Question: Why do DPS act up in Dungeons when they must wait so long to get in in the first place?

Bonus Question: Do you believe that this is what makes DPS bitter towards Healers & Tanks because they don't have to wait as long?

Just curious...

<3 Your Friendly Neighborhood Fuubaar