Tectonicus Arrives

 I have a new addition to my stables today, one that was both expected and unexpected. Truth be told, I've been pining after the black Madexx skin since I first saw the model, but blue was the one who stole my heart. Nevertheless I haven't been able to keep the black version out of my head, so deep down I knew that it was only a matter of time.

As for departures, my parrot Redrum sadly left to make room for my new scorpid. I hadn't been feeling very close to him even though I really enjoyed his appearance. I honestly think I was just using him as an accessory to my pirate outfit mostly...at least Tectonicus is the same colour scheme (and even has the same disarming ability), so it's a good replacement in my mind.

I'm sure the name is fairly recognizable as having to do with plate tectonics and the study of the earth's movements. The reason behind this name is that I wanted to find something that complemented Almagest, though in an opposing way. The names match each other in latin style, and together they give me an Earth scorpion and a Sky scorpion. Kalli even pointed out that the Madexx model has 'plates' on its body...even more fitting! ^_^

Forgive my laziness, but as I already typed out an extensive account of the tame for the forum, I'll just copy that here. It would be the same story regardless, this way just saves me time and effort. ;D Hooray!

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Madexx is such a tease.

First, he reeled me in with the black model. That's what I wanted from the beginning.

Then, he shows up all beautiful and blue and irresistible. "Aha," I thought to myself, "so this is the colour I was destined for." Tamed, satisfied...finished. Or so I thought.

Even with my love of the blue model (my Almagest <3), I couldn't stop thinking about that black one. Sure, I could reason that I probably had enough black pets. I didn't really need another. But it wouldn't leave me alone. I found myself casually dropping by Uldum every free moment I had, hoping to spot a black Madexx wandering around in the sand. This was still just a passing fancy at the time. I knew if I found him I'd tame him, but I wasn't actively seeking a black twin to Almagest....yet.

Today I bumped into Sasrei in Orgrimmar, and she was kind enough to bring out her own black Madexx so I could take a closer look and see what he'd be like beside me. Damn. Alright, alright...he looked good. Crap...I knew where this was going.

Cue a resigned departure for Uldum.

I had absolutely no knowledge on when he was sighted last, or any info on him whatsoever. I knew it was a slim chance that he would happen to spawn right then, and in the colour I was after, but I was free this morning so I figured why not.

At least a few hours of camping went by, Sasrei keeping an eye out with me as she was after green, and later Grimmgor came around to look for bronze. I was sitting on my spot, doing random Eagle Eye checks on his other points, and thought perhaps I could use a good luck charm. I skimmed through my minipet pages and my eyes fell on the Tiny Shale Spider (mini Jadefang!). Jade is considered very lucky in many cultures, and it seemed appropriate, so I took her out and watched her cute little idle animations.

Not 5 minutes later Sasrei types 'black'. Now, at the time in chat we had been discussing how there were 3 of us all looking for a different colour of Madexx. I totally assumed that she was just going to go with that flow of conversation, stating the three colours we were after. But no, she repeats 'BLACK!' and that's when it clicks with me. I fumble trying to mount up, zoom off to find which point he was at, and finally saw the enormous frozen scorpion. Apparently he had spawned right in front of Grimm and Sasrei was trying to alert me in chat while tagging him at the same time. xD

Naturally it was a messy tame (aren't they always when you're in that state of mind?), I aggroed some other mob, and I tried to tame while Sasrei still had aggro...but I managed to work it out and then I had my pretty black Madexx! <3 It definitely seems to be another fated match, as I couldn't believe he'd not only spawn in black while I had only been there for a few hours with the intent to tame him, but also another hunter who I had seen there all day and chatted with briefly was in a random dungeon at the time of the tame. In fact the spot that this Madexx spawned at was the one that hunter was hovering over, so if he hadn't been in a dungeon I surely would have been too late. I did whisper him and let him know so he had a time frame to go off of, and there were no hard feelings.

My mini Shale Spider is officially a new good luck charm, and now I can say with full confidence I'm finished in the desert. Thanks again you guys for helping me get him!

 

The Bond between Hunters and Pets

I was mulling over the subject of how a hunter and their pets are connected, and how everyone must have a varying idea on the relationship between them.

I think of hunters as having an innate gift for communicating with animals. They are able to project their own energy, and they have the ability to sense the emotions of their pets. I don't see it as a form of telepathy, nothing complex enough to have a full spoken discussion or reading one another's mind. I see it as more of a heightened observation of mood and emotion...when a hunter establishes a bond with a pet, they are linked in a way that they can communicate on a base level through feelings. The bond allows for a sort of two-way empathy.

When taming a beast in game, we use a channeled spell where little hearts float up until suddenly the creature that was attacking you is now your best friend. Obviously I don't really see that happening in a true sense of things. xD Earning the respect of a creature, to me, can come in a variety of ways. The hunter may have saved it from peril or injury, perhaps they raised it themselves, or there was a trying ordeal of building up trust and friendship. Regardless, I certainly don't think of any of my pets as having instantly bonded and befriended the hunter in question.

To me, pets in WoW are more intelligent than a real world pet would be. They have a wider understanding of language (again, not speaking a language, but just along the lines of knowing what their owner is saying most of the time). The pet will always know if their master is stressed, excited, angry, scared...the same way that dogs in the real world can sense moods, only on a higher level.

My hunters don't see their pets as minions or a means to an end. They are friends, guardians, companions...loyal creatures who accompany the hunter out of mutual respect and trust. Either one would risk their life for the other. Some individual pets may be more or less devoted than others, but the respect is always there, even if not outwardly obvious.


Well, that turned out a bit more rambly than I was meaning for it to, but hopefully I illustrated my own views in a somewhat understandable way. I'd be really interested to read what other people think of this subject and how they might envision this topic. :)

New Hope

Much time has passed since the plague of undeath first spread its tendrils over the Eastern Kingdoms, and its grip is finally loosening. The Western Plaguelands are healing, and new growth has brought about a dramatic change in the landscape.

Vephriel and Grudge stood in the spot where they had first met, the place hardly recognizable. The air was clean, the grass healthy and flourishing.

They encountered black bears, Grudge's brethren, pure and free from any taint. Though the land was still mending, renewed hope seemed to bloom all around, and the sight was heartening.

Vephriel knew the flurry of emotions that must have been going through his mind at that moment.

She reminded him that he was liberated from the control of the Scourge, that his will was his own, and his strength had endured to bring him to where he now stood. He would always have the scars of the past, but she knew that together they would continue to oppose the forces of the undead.

And she hoped that one day...he could truly be at peace.

Vengeance Rising

Many years ago during her travels, Vephriel found herself in the heart of Scourge territory. She had to journey through the Plaguelands; a vile, cursed place where the undead were at the height of their power.

The plague had bled deep into that area, choking off life and corrupting what was left. The air hung heavy with its poison; the soil crumbling and tainted below.

She threaded her way through the dismal forest alone and unaided, seeking  a path that would lead her away from the nightmare. It was there that she encountered it. What was once a black bear, now twisted into something gruesome.

The animal attacked her, frenzied in its anger. Gaping wounds and open sores covered its body - the plague fresh at work. Vephriel could sense the pain and confusion of the poor creature, so driven to madness by its own rotting flesh. Though at first the beast had frightened her, she realized that it had no control and was lashing out in its agony.

Determined to help it, she resolved herself to calming the animal, reaching out with tranquil energy and soothing words. It took a great deal of patience and time before the bear began to trust her and allowed her to start tending to him.

She was gentle with her ministrations, doing all that was in her power to bind the injuries and take away as much pain as she could. Her mind reached out to his, attempting to establish the bond that hunters were so gifted with. Though rage and pain clouded his senses, slowly she was able to link with him. There was a deep-rooted grudge at the core of his mind, focused on the Scourge and what the undead had wrought to the land. She cried in empathy with him, knowing all too well what they were capable of and what it was like to lose a home to them.

Unable to leave the bear behind, she bid him to join her where she would seek greater aid to heal him. She named him Grudge, for no other name could be as fitting for such a creature. Dropping all of her previous plans, she immediately set out to seek the Druids in order to heal him further. It was a long journey that took them back to Kalimdor. On their way she would bandage his sores with soothing poultices and medicine to help stem the spread of the wounds.

The Druids agreed to help, even though most would have considered him a lost cause. His body was beyond redemption, yet they were able to halt the spread of the taint and heal the wounds so that, even if they were still visible, they no longer caused him intense pain. He regained more of his sanity, but still he was consumed by his hatred of the Scourge.

Vengeance would be his.

Naraku's Hell

I usually choose a different pet to accompany me on each random Heroic of the day. The variety's nice, plus that way I can slowly get everyone to 85. Today it was Naraku's turn in the spotlight.

After a 30 minute wait, the queue finally pops, and I find out it's Vortex Pinnacle. I zone in, and immediately I'm aware of the hilarious contrast between my pet and the surroundings.

Vortex Pinnacle is a cloudy, fluffy, heavenly looking place with bright colours and soft details.

Naraku is a sharp, alien, angry looking creature with spikes and snarls and burning red eyes. His name literally means 'hell' in Japanese.

Needless to say I was instantly amused. x)

He just looked so out of place. I could totally sense his intense discomfort and outrage at being subjected to such a poofy, pastel location. xD

As I was putting together this post I started imagining cute little cloud thingies floating in and trying to be his bestest fwiend...

 

*vicious roars are heard in the background*

I'd better run away now >_>

Nefarian Cries Fowl

 
I had a fun time tonight running Blackwing Lair with the Petopians gang in order to grab Chromaggus for a guildie. :) The dragon-puppy taming parties are a fairly regular occurrence, and I always try to join in for the often hilarious escapades.

As we approached Vael I mused that we could all benefit from some Kevin antics. He stayed out for the majority of the run, holding aggro like a champ and tanking over the tenacity pets! xD When we reached Nefarian, Kevin flexed his feathers and charged up to punch that dragon in the face. He tanked him the full fight and left with a distinctly larger head and noticeable strut to his step. ;)

Needless to say, I bet Nefarian wasn't pleased to get his tail handed to him by a purple bird.

 

Happy Lunar Festival!

I intended for the next post to feature a different pet, but lo and behold Esperon just so happened to suit the Lunar Festival mood so well that he and I have been hanging out in Moonglade for the majority of the day. The celebratory and peaceful atmosphere is really soothing for me today, and I've just been enjoying walking around, lighting some fireworks, and taking in the under-appreciated beauty of the zone. :)

The Exasperating Psychic Feline

I've had a bit of a rocky road with Gondria.

It all started when the model was datamined and leaked to the public. The instant I saw the beautiful purple saber cat I felt a tug. Having never been a cat person in WoW, the saber model at least was the only type that I could contemplate taming.

I spent a lot of time in Zul'Drak immediately after the patch went live that brought Gondria into being. I circled around her rumoured spawn points, mashing a targetting macro (this was before I had discovered the joys of NPCscan), and wanting to find that spirit beast so badly. (Note: I will reference Gondria herself as being female since I can't see the wild mob in any other way. Post-taming is a different story.)

Though I never had any luck, I did start seeing a few hunters with her tamed...and felt a twinge of disappointment. The images I had first seen displayed the model against a dark background, and as such it was a rich, vibrant purple. In game, however, she turned out to have a much more...pinkish tinge than I had expected. I do not care for pink. My excitement waned and I ended up shrugging off the need to tame her. That was that, she wasn't for me, end of story.

*cough*

I truly can't remember how much time passed after I gave up the hunt, but then...it happened.

I was sitting in Dalaran, about to log out for the evening, when I was overcome by the irresistible urge to go search. I mounted up and flew straight for Zul'Drak, unsure of what I was doing or even why I felt such a strong pull to go in that direction. I headed for one of the spawn points that I was aware of, and sure enough...there she was. I stared at her in a stupor for a moment until regaining my senses and taming her.

I've had minor prophetic experiences before, but this was the first time it happened in WoW. I knew she was up, just as surely as if she called me and yelled for me to come tame her. I named her Esper, in other words someone capable of telepathy and other similar paranormal abilities. I struggled with the fact that Gondria was decidedly female to me. I've never had female pets. I considered making her a male, but there was no use. I couldn't see past the clearly feminine vibe the pet had.

Anyways, you would think the epic psychic kitty tame would have cemented the bond permanently, but that was not the case. I found myself feeling rather meh about Esper. The combination of a female pet, and her overt pink colour just wasn't clicking with me. I let her go.

*cue passage of time*

Once again...I'm dawdling around, minding my own business in game, when that call hits me. I made my way to the exact same spawn point I found her in the first time. She wasn't there. I couldn't shake the uncanny feeling that I should stay, however, so I logged out at that point and went to bed. First thing in the morning, I log in, and there she is waiting for me.

I was probably muttering low curses by this point. I did not have room for her. All 5 of my stable slots were taken. I didn't even want her. After all, I tamed her before and didn't like her, didn't I?

I ended up standing there on the ground watching her patrol back and forth and wracking my brain for a decision. Beast...I could let go of Beast. As soon as I reached that conclusion, I was letting him go and taming the spirit cat for the second time. I told myself that she'd be a male this time, and was named Augur (a sort of prophet or soothsayer).

The next day I was beside myself with regret. How could I let go of The Beast, a tame that was absolutely the hardest and most thrilling I had ever managed? Clearly the telepathic feline had clouded my judgement. I released Augur then went to correct my mistake and retame Beast...but even after an hour in Blackrock Spire he just wouldn't let me. In desperation I opened a ticket and begged a GM to restore him to me. Luckily that was possible (something I hadn't known at the time), and after just a few hours all was right with the world again.

Needless to say, Gondria wouldn't leave me alone. I ended up finding her more than any other spirit beast, but resisted the call and instead found others to tame her. This went on for....quite a while. -_- When our stable slots were expanded I thought that perhaps I could finally tame her and keep her since I'd have room. I didn't have the drive to look for her though, there still was a part of me that felt as though I couldn't bond with her at all, and after everything that had happened I'd exhausted my interest.

So it should come as no surprise to you that just recently I had that flare go off in my mind that told me there was a spirit beast up. No doubt as to which one.

Resignedly I made my way over to that spawn point...the same one she was at the previous two times...and lo and behold she was there. For the third time I tamed her, this time intent on making it work since clearly I couldn't stay away.

I knew this cat would have to be male in order to click with me. I thought about using the name Augur again, but there just wasn't a spark there. Esper had really had the perfect sound to it, but there was no getting over the fact that it was a decidedly feminine sounding name. Then it hit me. Esperon. A minor change to the ending and suddenly it was a male name.

I dedicated a good portion of a day spending time with Esperon and trying to get a feel for his character. I realized that he had a very subtle personality...calm, mysterious, reassuring. The sort of guardian angel or conscience character that's always by your side, giving you advice, looking out for you.

And that's when it everything just fell into place. The feminine vibe was gone from my pet, and suddenly I could see all the parts I loved about him. Even the colour no longer looked as pink as I once thought. In the right surroundings you can see how purple and otherworldly it is.

Now hopefully the damn cat is here to stay, because I don't think I could go through another one of those exasperating ordeals! xD

Eternal Summer

Early the previous morning I logged into WoW and found myself in Silvermoon City. I had been running a few errands there the night before and hadn't bothered to hearth before going to bed.

As I stood there in the middle of the deserted promenade, I was struck by the solitude and splendor of the often vacant major city. Instead of hastening to return to the bustle of Orgrimmar, I chose to walk south out of the main gates and into Eversong Woods.

Azzam accompanied me on my sporadic stroll, keeping a slow regal pace at my side. The trees cast dappled shadows over the meandering pathway as we wandered down it with no destination in mind. I was feeling rather nostalgic and sentimental, having not spent much time in the blood elf area for a long while. The rich, warm colours drew me in, and I realized for the first time how gorgeous Azzy looked in those surroundings. He was completely at home amidst the golden trees and sunlight, every part of him exuding a sense of belonging.

 Azzam's uncanny ability to know my mood and emote accordingly didn't fail, and he was all purrs and affection and pleasant company as I literally took a trip down memory lane. I was recalling the earlier days of first creating Vephriel and levelling her through those very woods. Though I've always been more fond of cool colour schemes like black, purple, blue...there was no denying the beauty of that zone and how it was fixed in a state of eternal summer.

We explored the outskirts of the area, splashing through water at the shoreline and genuinely having fun and relishing in the peaceful atmosphere. It was a completely spontaneous trip, but I often find myself indulging in those sorts of whims and never regret doing so.

Azzy's always been an intuitive pet. He's comforting when you need a shoulder to cry on, goofy when you want a laugh, and really just has a life of his own. It's never lonely if he's around for some exploration or adventure, he's one of a kind and it still amazes me how much of a fluke his taming was. I'm really grateful of his companionship in the game, I'm not sure how I went so long without him.

Stargazing

Almagest, meaning 'The Great Compilation', is a series of works pertaining to stars and planetary paths written by Ptolemy. This is the origin of the name that I chose for my blue Madexx scorpid. He's a stunningly beautiful pet with a carapace that seems to mimic a velvety night sky full of stars.

Surprisingly the blue colour was not my first preference when it came to the multi-hued rare. I had been hoping for black, but at the same time was excited to see what colour Madexx would deem appropriate for me. I was prepared to leave that choice to the hands of fate, and when he appeared before me in blue I was awed by the skin and instantly let go of any desires for a different colour. The blue was just meant to be.

Almagest is a soothing presence to accompany during the evening. He seems rather stand-offish during the daylight, and I have a hard time keeping him out during those hours. Only at night can I really connect with him.

Tonight was a particularly peaceful night in Azeroth, and I had the urge to go stargazing.

We started our trip in the high peaks above Durotar, a rich purple sky spread out above us.

Though it was beautiful, there was too much cloud cover and light pollution to really see the stars, so we went off in search of more suitable surroundings.

Uldum had a vast canopy, but once again there were too many clouds.

 Not about to give up, we continued to search, climbing higher and higher into the mountains until the moon suddenly appeared on the horizon.

The location was promising, and soon I found myself lulled into relaxation as the clouds shifted and the sky opened up above us.

 I could sense Almagest's wisdom as he gestured to the stars and constellations. We spent over an hour perched on the peak of that mountain...watching, learning, and taking in the beauty.

Patch 4.0.6

I am ecstatic about the upcoming patch and all of the pet changes it's bringing. The atmosphere is like Cataclysm Beta all over again...a frantic, growing excitement as more new skins are revealed and familiar faces make their way back home. The sudden disappearance of so many rare creatures was a bit of a shock to experience. Even for those that weren't necessarily noteworthy or high profile, there was a definitive emptiness without their presences in Azeroth. Of particular concern to me was the fate of three spiders that I had grown rather attached to.

First and foremost was Rekk'tilac, the great lava tarantula of Searing Gorge. I have never seen this spider in the entirety of time that I've played WoW. Granted I didn't go looking for him in the early days of Vanilla, nor did I even quest in Searing Gorge, but once I got it in my head to see him in person I was driven on a frenzied manhunt to witness the tectonic tarantula myself. Always I would swing by his spawn points hoping to just glimpse him with my own eyes, but alas he avoided me until the day when he was seemingly gone for good.

Admittedly I have now visited dear Rekk on the PTR (and holy behemoth batman!), but I am determined to find him and tame him on the live realms once 4.0.6 is released. It just doesn't feel 'real' otherwise. My undead huntress has a stable slot with his name on it, and I simply can't wait to finally have him.

Second on my list of special arachnids is Creepthess from Hillsbrad Foothills. I had always felt drawn to her due to how awesome her name was, and we just had an inexplicable bond even though I'd never tamed her. I was saddened when she too went missing, and I'm pleased to report that not only is she back, but like all the other rares she's suddenly become enormous (and has a pet bunny to boot). ^_^

Finally, in what can only be described as some sort of bizarre second-hand pet love, is Chatter. I hadn't even been aware of this spider's existence until a certain someone *coughs* enlightened me to him and I found myself growing fond of the little brown tarantula. Petopia has truly broadened my spectrum in terms of pet tastes, and I have to say that I have a new appreciation for many skins or mobs that I wouldn't have taken a second glance at before. Anyways, Chatter's disappearance didn't sit well with me at all. I was so desperate to find news of him when I was in the Cataclysm Beta that I did circles around Redridge hoping to find a secret new hiding spot. I didn't find Chatter, though I did stumble upon something very strange. A lone brown tarantula mob, in fact the only brown tarantula in the whole zone, seemingly misplaced amidst a valley of orcs. He carried the name of Greater Tarantula, and I was honestly convinced he had to be a mistakenly labeled Chatter. Kalli and I clung to this hope, musing that he must have suffered amnesia after the great Cataclysm.

Fast forward to the past couple weeks, and Chatter is alive again on the PTR! He's bigger than ever, and that perplexing Greater Tarantula still wanders the southeastern part of the zone. I decided his name should be Chitter since he had garnered a bit of a reputation for himself, and deserved to have a unique identity.

Truthfully I'm relieved about all of the rare pets that are returning (thanks Noah! <3), but the previous three were the most important to me personally.

Now aside from returning rares, there's also the tantalizing new skins we're receiving! I have two new pets queued up for my own stables, and I'm hoping they work out well.

Rex Ashil has transformed into a breathtaking inky blue wasp, and I am completely enamored with the model. I've been struggling to connect with a wasp ever since my old Sapphire Hive Wasp fell out of touch with me. I tamed Rex on the PTR and he suited Veph so well that I knew it was a destined match. I even have a vague idea of his personality beginning to form, but a name still eludes me. I'll certainly be making a post on him after the patch goes live and I get a feel for his character.

The other new model I'll be picking up is this impressive grey wind serpent. I contemplated replacing Shiki with this new skin, but I realized Shiki wouldn't be Shiki without his pale colouring and red eyes. So I'll just have to have two Outland wind serpents. ;D I don't have a name in mind yet, but that will come later after I can spend some quality time getting to know both the wind serpent and the wasp.

My Pets - Organized Alphabetically

ALEISTER

sinister, voracious, intimidating

ALMAGEST

patient, strict, perceptive

ASMODEUS
to be determined

ASTAROTH

fearless, powerful, defensive

AZZAM

suave, obnoxious, lovable

BEAST

angry, unpredictable, defiant

FRANKENSWINE

placid, humble, enthusiastic

GRUDGE

merciless, vengeful, unforgiving

HEGG
to be determined

IGNEOUS

grumpy, stubborn, disagreeable

IGOR

cryptic, deranged, zealous

KEVIN

quirky, vain, carefree

MANA

ambiguous, sly, covetous

MORTIFER
to be determined

NARAKU

relentless, chaotic, frenzied

RAMSES

diligent, stalwart, tough

RANCID

imaginative, cheerful, inquisitive

REZNOR

faithful, possessive, mischievous

SABBATH 
to be determined

SATAK
dignified, arrogant, devious
 

SHIKI

cold, solitary, manipulative

SKORN

loyal, protective, ever-present


STITCH
shy, observant, companionable

VORPAL
to be determined

XERXES

proud, clever, narcissistic