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. :)