The Garrison

I must admit, even though Anou is Horde and an evil Warlock to boot, her sensitive inner side was upset at having to destroy the trees and natural beauty of the landscape to make her Garrison. She would have completely bypassed that entire part of the game, except... Thrall made her. /sadface

The ideal place to park a Garrison. Pre-demolition.

Arrest of the Warlocks

Anou was down in the shadows of the Cleft, practicing under her favorite Orc teachers. It wasn't because she actually needed the practice—it was more to escape the sweltering heat of a dusty afternoon in Orgrimmar. No wonder these Orcs were so tough-skinned. Between the heat, the dust, the dry air and the spiky little critters laying in the sun everywhere, one was bound to develop a brawny outer layer.

"Consider closely your objective, you must."

"Focus your attention, Anoukisse!"

"Concentrate, Anoukisse! To unleash Shadowfury properly, it must hit every target! You need to center it accordingly," admonished Gan'rul for what seemed like the tenth time.

Anou fanned herself. Even down here in the somber dampness, away from the sun's furious rays, there seemed to lay an uncomfortable heat. She took her spell book out again, hoping to find some little tip to help her focus better, when suddenly, she saw Zevrost straighten, looking over her shoulder to the common area of the Cleft.

Grol'dar whispered "Ureda" in a way that raised the hair along her nape. That name was familiar to Anoukisse. Though in truth, she couldn't remember why she knew this. Wasn't Ureda a mage trainer? Or.. a priest? Slowly, Anou turned to see what exactly had everyone's attention. Meanwhile, Gizput, Kurgul's imp, began to snicker and chant in a high, grating staccato, "Ureda-of-the-Black-Flame-Ureda-of-the-Black-Flame-Ureda-of-the-Black-Flame."

Standing before them was a larger-than-life Orc woman with a most ominous disposition.

"Garrosh will not tolerate demon worship within the walls of Orgrimmar. You will submit and allow yourselves to be taken into custody or be destroyed."

At that precise moment, Kasar appeared behind their would-be captors. A very wise Warlock, he quickly understood what was going on, and shouted out, providing a moment of distraction. From behind her, she heard the faintest command she'd ever heard from her mentors: "Circle!" In the space of a heartbeat, Anou had teleported herself to a neighboring chamber, leaving nothing but a pile of dust for Ureda of the Black Flame to exclaim over.

Being a skin-and-bones Blood Elf had its advantages, she thought for once, as she climbed into a large clay pot to ponder her next move.

[N.B.: This entry is part of my "goons of Orgrimmar" series. Nothing official really, no label or anything. But it's part of the changes/events that happened throughout the course of Mists of Pandaria that lead to Siege of Orgrimmar. Also, a big thanks to my awesome GM, for posing for what seemed like hours to get the shots "just right", and for putting up with "these working conditions". ;) Lucky for me, he's "used to this kind of hard, modeling work". /cough ]

Hellscream's Haunchos

Intimidation at the bank in Orgrimmar.

Bride of the Embalmer

Upon her many travels, Anoukisse discovered a crooked old shed somewhere in the back country of Duskwood. The lit lanterns indicated someone was there. Eliza, Bride of the Embalmer stood in the entrance of her damp home, hollow eyes watching Anou's approach suspiciously.

Oddly though, I thought of this:

"Eliza, you are to stay here for the next six months learning to speak beautifully, like a lady in a florist's shop. If you work hard and do as you're told, you shall sleep in a proper bedroom, have lots to eat, and money to buy chocolates and go for rides in taxis. But if you are naughty and idle, you shall sleep in the back kitchen amongst the black beetles, and be wolloped by Mrs. Pearce with a broomstick." ~ Prof. Higgins

 Guess we know which one she chose.. ;)

Not sure if this NPC is still in game or not. Comments are varied. I may have to take a treck out there again!

Booty Bay—Pre Cataclysm

This was the aerial view coming in to Booty Bay from the flight path, because at the time Azeroth was a no-fly zone, before Deathwing reshaped the continents.

Old Orgrimmar

Here are some screen caps I dug up from my folders... I present you with Octavien's view of Orgrimmar before the Cataclysm...

Main Entrance from Durotar

Ye Ole Zeplin Tower

Just inside the Main Gate

Back near the Stable Master

Homage to Thrall

This post was a long time in coming. Sorry about that, so many screenshots, so little time, as you know.

Before Deathwing came and sundered the world, we could bring our problems and complaints directly to Thrall who resided in Grommash Hold, in the Valley of Wisdom. When news of the great black dragon's pending resurgence came to our ears, (most of) the core of Savage Darkness went to pay homage to the Warchief.

Flashback: Un'goro Crater

For the Horde!

Take that, Alliance scum!

Alliance Bones >:)

Incidentally, for those who didn't join before the Cataclysm sundered the earth, this used to be the entrance to Thrall's Cave of Office.

Flash Back: Orgrimmar

Sun Rise Over Orgrimmar

Pre-Cata, that tall tower to the left was the Flight Master's spot. The rise Anou is standing on was the rise just before the sole bank in Org., and the roof you see to the right is the building neighboring the Auction House. Take a trip down memory lane by Youtube-ing "Orgrimmar Pre-Cataclysm".

Plethora of Pets

Here I am showing off my new non-combat pet. (Posted to SD's website:10/20/2009)

Just FYI, this screenshot was taken in the old town of Tarren Mill, in Hillsbrad Foothills.

The Gnome Spy

Too much Pygmy Oil.

(This screenshot was taken right outside the old bank in Orgrimmar, pre-cataclysm.)