Two down and three to go. All the new zones in Cataclysm are amazing!
Deepholm is hit and miss, I love a lot of it, but some quests just aren’t that fun to get into. You begin far beneath the surface of Azeroth in the Temple of the Earth, a place that houses the World Pillar. It also housed Deathwing under the nurturing care of the Twilight’s Hammer. The Earthen Ring took it over in an attempt to repair the World Pillar when it ruptured in the Cataclysm. On missions from the Earthen Ring you battle against the Twilight’s Hammer and discover most of the hidden caverns and new creatures that dwell beneath Azeroth. You also are introduced Therazane, the Stonemother. She’s one of the Lieutenants of the Old God’s (others being Ragnaros the Firelord, Neptulon the Tidehunter, and Al’Akir the Windlord) and you might remember her daughter – Princess Theradras who resides within Maradon – in fact the death of her daughter is one of many reasons that Therzane shows no large amount of love for humans and in fact distrusts them immensely. Through quests and tabard wearing however, it is highly advantages to get reputation with the Stonemother to exalted status…much like the Sons of Hodir in the Stormpeaks of Northrend, Therazane rewards her favored with Inscription enchants on their shoulder gear.
Mount Hyjal is so fluid moving that you don’t even realize that it’s over until you grab the Coming Down The Mountain Achievement. Champions journey to Moonglade on a missive to aide the Gaurdians of Hyjal, Ysera of the Dream is aiding forces in there when you arrive, dealing much with the Twilight’s Hammer and Rallying the Ancients of lore past. Ysera sends you to speak with Malfurian Stormrage who in turn sends you on various missions against the Twilight’s Hammer and a familiar ball of flame. From there, you travel to the Shrine of Goldrinn and the Mother Tree, G’Hanir at the Shrine of Aviana. Goldrinn also known as La’Gosh – an ancient white wolf that is said to have such ferocity and will power that he is able to push through the realm of the afterlife to aide his people. He is thought to have aided the Elves of Eldre’thalas in the battle against the Burning Legion. Aviana, once a raven but favored of the Goddess, Elune made into a Demigoddess, was the mistress of G’Hanir – upon death the creatures of the sky were returned to the Mother Tree where they could take to the skies in the freedom of the life after Death. In the battle against the Legion Aviana perished but it is said her blood poisoned all that touched it and with her death she took an immense amount of demons with her. You pass by the Grove of Aessina – a much loved forest spirit of the dryads, and continue onward to the Sanctuary of Malorne. The Great White Stag is said to have been a lover of Elune, and in return Elune gave him a child – Cenarius (a demigod in his own right – who taught Malfurian). During the War of the Ancients Malorne was slain by Archimonde in an effort to save his son. It is said Malorne as a gift from Elune could walk within the Emerald Dream. It is also said that Ysera – mistress of the Dream loved Malorne dearly – and adopted and loved Cenarius as her own son. Upon seeing his death Ysera flew to his side, one of the only times her eyes have opened in known history, and all the demons in her path perished. Malorne then sends you to aide a chained Tortolla ( also known as Tortollus). After freeing the Ancients and rallying them to fight alongside Ysera and the champions of Azeroth you are sent to infiltrate the Twilight’s Hammer and cause some much needed mischief. I’m not spoiling anything else that happens within the zone, but it’s worth it to check it out, some faces that are legendary and some that are legendary for completely different reasons as the first.
Vash’jr, this is a zone that is amazing. Completely underwater, you follow Budd and his gang into the ocean, are saved once again by the Earthen Ring and are enlisted in helping them fight against the Naga forces of Queen Azshara (yes, that would be the “Light of Lights” that ushered in the Burning Legion in the War of the Ancients). During the course of the Vash’jir missions and quests you are taken across the Great Sea and in some places back in time – as a Naga battlemaiden to what appears to have been a giant battle against the Kvaldir ( the same Mistwalkers form Borean Tundra) in which you defend the city against the Viking Water Warriors. Being transformed into a naga is a pretty interesting experience, but nothing beats having your own two feet and Sea Legs. Among many other tasks of importance you are also asked to go within the brain of some very large organisms that houses various Twilight and Naga forces and halt their operations within.
Uldum is so fun! So many pop culture references that I couldn’t begin to name and spoil them all. Harrison Jones guides you through the last half with excitement and adventure and at the end you get to see a much missed familiar face. Uldum is one of the only titan constructions that can date it’s creation to before mortal life on Azeroth. It is located on the Southern coast of Kalimdor in the outskirts of Tanaris. The cat-people that reside within Uldum are known as the Tol’vir. Throughout the zone you assist the people of Ramkahan in fighting the Nefferset, a rival “clan”. Uldum is sought by not only the minions of Deathwing, but one Brann Bronzebeard – who you might remember from such instances as Uldaman, Ulduar and the instance Halls of Stone located in the Stormpeaks of Northrend. Brann leads you to the Halls of Origination where you battle through the various “Traps” and Obsticles the titans set up as a security system. You also explore on dangerous and exciting adventures with Harrison Jones! You go explore the ancient ruins of Uldum, espionage your way through Schnottz’s Landing.
The Twilight Highlands is a lore-fiends fantasy. Located in Khaz Modan, east of the Wetlands, it’s one of the more exciting questing phased questing areas. You begin fighting against the Dragonmaw at the docks of Highbank. From there you move outwards to helping the Wildhammer Clan of dwarves and the Dunwalds get restablished and continue their efforts to hold off the Dragonmaw. You also assist (or don’t) Thrall and venture into the Maw of Madness – and begin helping them fight against the forces of the Old Gods. The Twilight’s Hammer cult first seen in Silithus also has made their home in the Highlands, using it as a main base of operations in their efforts to aide the fallen EarthWarder. There is an amazing battle between Alexstrasza and Deathwing as well, during a chain the eventually leads you through the doors of Grim Batol.
The world has changed with Cataclysm and factions are overturned. While the Alliance and the Horde stand on the brink of war yet again, each faction knows that a much greater threat lurks overhead.
For the Naaru 