WoW Reviews & Guides

Void Reaver is the second boss in the Eye of Tempest Keep. It is a Fel Reaver guardian. Since it is a rather simple fight (probably easier than High King Maulgar or Prince Malchezaar), it has earned the nickname “Loot Reaver.” The only pre-condition is that the raid’s total DPS be high enough to kill it prior to its enrage (after 10 minutes).

Read more… »

Tempest Keep is a former naaru fortress in the Netherstorm in Outland. This crystalline fortress is now ruled by Kael’thas Sunstrider, the lord of the blood elves, and dominated by scores of his brethren. The structure is divided into three wings – satellites of the gigantic structure – with the fourth wing, the Exodar, now in the world of Azeroth as the Draenei capital.

Read more… »

After rumors spread throughout Kharanos and Ironforge about Mekgineer Thermaplugg preparing his irradiated soldiers to meet the growing gnomish clamoring for the reclamation of their once-great city, High Tinker Mekkatorque today exclaimed Operation: Gnomeregan to be imminent, describing his former ally Thermaplugg’s irradiation of the beloved city as “a date which will live in a proportionate rate of increase in impropriety!” Speaking to a small conglomerate of various Alliance representatives, Mekkatorque pointed out that the time to strike is now. After all, Thermaplugg has eluded death for years to keep his reign over Gnomeregan; and with the fall of the Lich King, the last great threat to the citizens of Azeroth, the chance of any cataclysmic event taking place in the foreseeable future is “less than 12.7%,” Mekkatorque’s leading combat medical advisor Doc Cogspin purported.

With confirmation of the impending attack upon Gnomeregan comes your chance to get involved. Victory begins in Tinker Town! As great citizens of Azeroth and proud members of the Alliance, High Tinker Mekkatorque shall call upon you to serve his gnomes in exile. After all, the best offense is a good… offense! Whether you’re a hero of your people and slayer of the most dreadful Burning Legion and Scourge creatures, or an up-and-coming adventurer, you can start by motivating your gnome brethren to unite behind the Gnomeregan banner. All it takes is a bit of finesse with the Motivate-a-Tron to call gnomes to action. The device works flawlessly! After all, what good would it be if such a powerful invention ended up turning Tinker Town citizens into little critters? Almost no good!

With fresh new recruits at your side, Mekkatorque will send you to Steelgrill’s Depot, the staging grounds for the Gnomeregan offensive, where you’ll meet Captain Sparknozzle. Do as he commands by completing Drill Sergeant Steamcrank’s training and testing the operative capabilities of the brand new Mechano-Tanks before they’re shipped to the front lines. Seizing Gnomeregan is more important than your fear of heights, which will be put to the test as you’re summoned by Pilot Muzzlesprock to neutralize the irradiation vents bruising the Gnomeregan horizon in a critical Radiageigatron bombing run.

Every man, woman, and child is called to serve! Even if you’re just barely getting your bearings on the art of combat in places like Kharanos or Elwynn Forest, you can do your part by helping fuel the war effort. A few dead boars leads to a few more comfortable siege pilot seats, and surely you can handle such a crucial step in the preparation for facing Thermaplugg’s poisoned followers. You can even help master wordsmith Toby Zeigear in writing High Tinker Mekkatorque’s battle cry. The road to success will be paved by you, and you’ll be rewarded as such with a commendation of Gnomeregan Pride, allowing you to temporarily don the uniform of the elite Gnomeregan Infantry.

Thermaplugg is no trifling gnome, though his arrogance will be his undoing! Even still, he is undoubtedly preparing never-before-seen forces to meet this assault. Only the most battle-hardened heroes of the Alliance (levels 75-80) will be called to serve during Operation: Gnomeregan. When Mekkatorque determines the operation is ready to get underway, you must speak with him on the front lines before following him on a full assault of the enemy air field, surface command post, and into the tunnels of lower Gnomeregan. It is said that Thermaplugg has employed the use of so-called “Brag”-bots to spread his propaganda and hubris. Be not afraid of his words, fellow members of the Alliance. Stick with Mekkatorque and Doc Cogspin to ensure your safety. After all, you wouldn’t want to lose the grace of Cogspin’s Surgeon General’s Warding. Gnomeregan must be cleansed of irradiation and the troggs it was intended to repel. It is time to reclaim this modern marvel and earn your very own Gnomeregan Overcloak, a testament to your historic bravery in the face of madness!

Operation: Gnomeregan is coming, and the Gnomeregan Exiles want YOU!

Magus or Magna Medivh was the last Guardian of Tirisfal, an ancient line of protectors bestowed with great powers to do battle with the agents of the Burning Legion. He was corrupted even before birth, and possessed by the spirit of the demonlord Sargeras who used Medivh in his plan to conquer Azeroth.

Medivh contacted the orcish warlock, Gul’dan, and together they opened the Dark Portal, which allowed the Burning Legion to begin its destruction of Azeroth. He was slain shortly after by a party led by one of his friends, Lothar.

Shortly before the beginning of the Third War, Medivh returned as a mysterious prophet, he manipulated events in order to arrange the formation of a last-ditch alliance between the mortal races on Kalimdor, guiding them to victory at the Battle of Mount Hyjal.The prophet’s name means “keeper of secrets” in Thalassian. He possessed Atiesh, Greatstaff of the Guardian.

After the events of the Battle of Mount Hyjal he went to places unknown; he may have met the end of his wandering on Azeroth and somehow departing the material plane, or he may have simply retired somewhere distant. More recently, a black raven can be seen endlessly circling Karazhan, leading some to suggest that the Last Guardian may linger on in some form. Nonetheless, his fate remains unknown, though it is quite clear from his final comments that he intends to never be heard from or seen again.

In spite of his unknown fate, he left a avatar of himself in Karazhan to give a message of knowledge and power to his son, Med’an, so that Med’an could decide his own fate.

Kil’jaeden (pronounced Kill-jay-den) is a powerful eredar demon lord and is the acting leader of the Burning Legion. Selected twenty-five thousand years ago as the chief lieutenant of Sargeras, he was ranked above the now-deceased demon lord, Archimonde.  While Archimonde had led the Legion’s armies, Kil’jaeden’s agenda was to assimilate every race possible into the folds of the Burning Legion. Since the apparent banishment of Sargeras, he has assumed the role of supreme commander.

He is also notable as the creator of the Lich King.

Twenty-five millennia ago, the world of Argus was the home of the wondrous eredar civilization, a race of natural magic-wielders. Kil’jaeden, respected for his intelligence, a genius among a race of geniuses, quickly rose to become one of the three most prominent leaders of the eredar, along with his colleague Archimonde and best friend, Velen.

Kil’jaeden had loved Velen as a brother. Eredar society was shattered when these three leaders were contacted by Sargeras the Destroyer. Sargeras offered a deal: in exchange for their loyalty, the eredar would gain untold power and prestige. Kil’jaeden and Archimonde readily accepted, though Velen curiously held back.

Kil’jaeden, The Deceiver, is the last boss in the Sunwell Plateau raid instance. Anveena, Kalecgos, and the Blue Dragonflight play a role in this encounter.

Since the Sunwell Plateau instance was revealed, Kil’jaeden was the most powerful boss in the game pre-WotLK. On May 20th, 2008, the 3rd gate of the Sunwell Plateau was brought down on US Servers unlocking the encounter.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3LC1rCp9hE[/youtube]

The Elder Shaman Ner’zhul was the Warchief of Draenor, the clans that remained uncaptured after the Dark Portal was destroyed in Azeroth. He was tricked into making a Blood Pact with Kil’jaeden the Deceiver; one that bound the orcs into the service of the Burning Legion.

Following the Second War, he opened several portals on Draenor in an attempt to seek out new lands to escape to and conquer, but was immediately captured by Kil’jaeden. His mortal form was destroyed and his spirit was transformed into the spectral Lich King, which was then encased in the mystical ice of the Frozen Throne atop the Icecrown glacier in distant Northrend.

Frostmourne is the runeblade that Ner’zhul, the Lich King, thrust from the Frozen Throne, intending that Arthas Menethil — his unwitting potential host — would discover it on the continent of Northrend. It is currently wielded by Arthas, the new Lich King.

When Ner’zhul was transformed into the Lich King by Kil’jaeden, his disembodied spirit was shackled to a magical suit of armor as well as the runeblade Frostmourne, and trapped within an icy tomb called the Frozen Throne. Both the armor and the blade were crafted by the Nathrezim for the purpose of containing and controlling the Lich King.

Ner’zhul was not content with being a pawn for the Burning Legion, however, and began working on a plan for escape. The first stage of his plan was set in motion when he used his powers to push Frostmourne through the ice and out of the Frozen Throne, and plunge it into the snows of Northrend to await one who would claim it and become the Lich King’s agent. Ner’zhul found his agent in Arthas Menethil, the young prince of Lordaeron who had come to Northrend in a quest to end the plague.

Muradin Bronzebeard, a dwarven explorer based at the time in Northrend, was searching for the weapon after hearing of Frostmourne’s power when Arthas and his men arrived. When the forces of the dreadlord Mal’Ganis began to close in around them, Arthas and Muradin set out to claim it.

Deep within a hidden cave, Frostmourne was guarded by The Guardian and several revenants who tried to warn Arthas of the danger, but he ignored the warning and destroyed them. When they found the sword, Muradin read the inscription on the dais:

“Whomsoever takes up this blade shall wield power eternal. Just as the blade rends flesh, so must power scar the spirit.”

Muradin realized then that the blade was cursed, but Arthas said he would gladly bear any curse to save his homeland. Upon speaking those words, the ice encasing the sword shattered and exploded outward. A jagged shard struck Muradin, seemingly killing him. Arthas didn’t even seem to care about his friend’s death as he discarded his hammer and took hold of the blade.

With the sword in hand, Arthas returned to his base and staged a counterattack against Mal’Ganis, quickly destroying the dreadlord’s base. Mal’Ganis confronted Arthas, telling him that Ner’zhul had known he would take the cursed sword, and that it had now stolen Arthas’s soul. He spoke as if he believed Arthas was now on his side, but to his surprise Arthas used the runeblade to slay the dreadlord on the Lich King’s command. With his soul forfeited the Lich King, Arthas ran off into the frozen wastes of Northrend.

Now death knight of the Scourge, Arthas killed and converted his former army before returning to Lordaeron, where he was hailed with a royal welcome. Arthas proceeded directly to the throne room, where he killed his father, King Terenas, and set the Scourge loose throughout the city.

Some time after the Burning Legion’s defeat at Mount Hyjal, the demon hunter Illidan Stormrage used a powerful spell to attack the Frozen Throne, where the Lich King was imprisoned. Though the spell was unsuccessful, it widened the crack through which Frostmourne had been thrust, and the Lich King’s power began to wane, so he recalled Arthas to Northrend to aid him. Arthas defeated Illidan and ascended the spire of the Frozen Throne, then plunged Frostmourne back into the ice and donned the helmet sealed within, becoming the new Lich King.

Great demonic wings fan out behind the horned, malefic
figure. Standing nearly 7 112 feet tall, the creature’s
night elf heritage is evident in its violet skin, longears, and
flowingbluehair. It wears tattered cloth pants that do little
to conceal its cloven hooves. Jagged tattoos cover its bare
chest and arms. It wears a ragged bandage around its head
that covers its eyes. It carries two massive warglaives -
each etched with demonic runes of power.

Description
Illidan Stormrage was one of the heroes who stood
against the Burning Legion during the War of the
Ancients nearly 10,000 years ago. As an immortal
night elf, his passion for magic and lust for power
drove him to the brink of madness. Fearing that he
would become an even greater threat than the Legion,
his twin brother Malfurion imprisoned Illidan beneath
the earth for centuries. During the Legion’s
most recent invasion, Illidan was released to aid his
countrymen once again. During the battle, however,
he selfishly consumed a powerful demonic artifact
known as the Skull of Gul’dan. With the artifact’s
power flowing through him, Illidan became a hybrid
creature with demonic powers all his own.
Recently, Illidan entered into a pact with the demon
Kil’jaeden and swore to destroy the FrozenThrone
of Icecrown for the Burning Legion. Illidan gathered
the insidious naga and wayward blood elves to his
cause and set out to fulfill his charge. Yet Illidan was
defeated by the Death Knight Arthas and forced into
exile in the extradimensional wastes of Outland.

The armored figure moves with a dark grace and
confidence. Fiery blue eyes glare out from the depths of a
heavy black iron helm. Tufts of long white hair stream out
from beneath the helm as well. The armoredfigure wears
a royal blue cloak trimmed with white fur and carries a
massive runeblade etched with glowing sigils of unholy
frost. His crooked grin implies untold power and endless
hatred for the living.

death knight

Description
Kil’jaeden, one of the lords of the Burning Legion,
first created the Lich King to wreak havoc and terror
across Azeroth. To this end, the orc Ner’zhul was
transformed into a wraith-like being of unlimited
psionic and necromantic power. Though his spirit was
trapped inside the Frozen Throne of Icecrown, Ner’zhul
sent out a plague of undeath that nearly scoured
humanity from the world.
Mighty as he was, Ner’zhul searched for a pawn that
could free his spirit from the Frozen Throne and act as
a host body for his unbridled power. By masterminding
the downfall of shining Lordaeron, Ner’zhul
succeeded in corrupting the kingdom’s arrogant young
prince, Arthas Menethil. Ultimately, Arthas was lured
to the Frozen Throne and used the cursed runeblade
Frostmourne to shatter it forever. Ner’zhul’s vile spirit
took possession of the evil prince’s body. Now they
exist as a singular all-powerful entity: the Lich King.

death knight

Combat
The Lich King leads off with a mind blast and
quickened sound burst, then another mind blast and a
quickened telekinesis literally to throw his enemies
into disarray. While they struggle with the effects of
these attacks, the Lich King summons various forms of
undead to send at them. Once the undeadseparate the
group sufficiently, the Lich King unloads all manner
of violent frost-based spells. Anyone left standing
must contend with the Lich King himself as he wields
Frostmourne into melee combat

Before being the Lich King, Prince Arthas Menethil was a servant ruled by a sword he believed was the key to saving his people – the runeblade Frostmourne. Finding and claiming the blade among the frozen wastes of Northrend was an odyssey unto itself, and the search cost the prince his mentor, his relationship with his subjects, and his humanity. It cost the living of Azeroth far more.

With a tight grip on the blade that he traded his life for, Arthas ravaged the kingdom of Lordaeron and broke free from the control of the Burning Legion. By the time the former prince ascended as the leader of the Scourge, Frostmourne was already glutted with the souls of the numberless dead who dared to oppose him.

Now, Arthas has become so inseparable from his weapon that the sword’s likeness has even found its way into the architecture of his fortress, Icecrown Citadel. Its hilt is never far from his hands; its ghostly whispers constantly ring in his ears. Frostmourne, as much as the Lich King, is the ruler of Northrend.

In a relentless quest to arm the forces of the living against the Scourge, Highlord Darion Mograine has formed the Ashen Verdict, a union between the most skilled craftsmen of the Argent Crusade and the Ebon Blade. Though the peerless paladins of the Crusade wield the power of the Light, and their leader clutches Ashbringer, a few of Mograine’s dark warriors have begun to question their hopes for victory.

These death knights insist that the Ashbringer and the skills of the Argent Crusaders, will not be enough to best Frostmourne alone. They swear that Darion Mograine has long been quietly aware of another legendary blade – one that could be the key to defeating the Lich King and cleansing Northrend… But it doesn’t exist yet, for the moment, the weapon is only a formless idea. It is spoken of quietly, and the Highlord has a habit of silencing those who discuss it in public. Just its name inspires the furnaces to burn late into the night, the bellows to pump air, and the darker half of the Verdict’s smiths to swing their hammers until their fingers fail. While other craftsmen lean over whetstones and gather pitted blades by the hundreds, these few dream of a single weapon to end the war for Northrend.

Legendary Weapon Shadowmourne

Shadowmourne… A great two-handed axe fit for a giant, born of sacred and corrupt powers, host of a thousand dead souls and able to be wielded only by the most stalwart armsmasters of Azeroth. Its creation seems nearly impossible; and yet, the rumors do not cease.

Darion Mograine believes that only the hammer of Arthas himself will provide a worthy model – but such absurd ambition is just the beginning of Shadowmourne’s creation. To contain the energies that dance across its cold edges, Shadowmourne would be hewn from piles of impure Saronite: the hardened blood of the Old God, Yogg-Saron. To fuel its power to kill, it should be drenched in the souls of the most potent servants of the Scourge as they are slain, one by one, with the unfinished blade. To help break through the Lich King’s armor, it is to be adorned with fragments of the Frozen Throne, originally crafted by Kil’Jaeden out of ice from the Twisting Nether.

Only with these mighty components, it is said, can Shadowmourne be finished. And, yet, even if the axe could be completed, questions and fears remain. Is forging the souls of the deceased into a weapon treated with blood and the essence of the Twisting Nether truly any different from the crafting of the Scourge’s runeblades? And who will be bold enough to try to wield such a weapon? Might Shadowmourne bring the same doom and misery to the living as its sister blade did?