Silly

Theme Songs of Conquest

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Daniel Whitcomb wrote a breakfast topic this morning about theme songs. The minions in Conquest are extremely aware of my diverse taste in music. Sometimes I’ll play various fast upbeat songs to help pump myself up. Other times I’ll play slower pieces to help calm myself down.

What are the theme songs of Conquest?

Joe Esposito – You’re the Best Around

This is actually Stop’s theme song. But that doesn’t mean it can’t have multiple uses! One of the epic scenes in Karate Kid is when Daniel LaRusso works his way up the tournament bracket into the finals and Joe Esposito is blaring in the background,

Just remember that when it seems like the deck is stacked against you, you’re the best… arooooound!

Power Rangers Theme Song

Power Rangers was the Grand Theft Auto of violence blame back in the day. I remember rushing home from school when I was really young just so I could watch the show on TV. How many violent incidents did Power Rangers spark across schools in North America? I have no idea. There was so much controversy about TV violence and it’s influence. I looked it up on Wikipedia. 17 seasons, 15 series, and two theatrical films. Wow, really?

Chariots of Fire

One of the most cliche’d songs in existence. Whenever victory comes down to one person, I cue this song right up and starting playing it over vent. For example, several weeks ago when we were testing Ulduar, I had a guy constantly disconnecting. The rest of us were already inside the zone. But he was caught in Storm Peaks trying to work his way to the instance portal. Another example is Warsong Gulch. As our group was carrying the flag across the zone, we were slowly getting picked apart one by one. Conquest sharpshooter Amava had the flag. One of our mages dropped. The Ret Paladin gave Amava freedom before dying. I lit up Pain Suppression and a Psychic scream before my last breath. And it was all that Amava needed (and Vangelis) to make it to the finish line.

Rocky Theme – Gonna Fly Now

Oh my god it’s Rocky! And he’s being chased by the masses! Go, go, go! The clip shows Rocky literally running through the entire series. As he runs and trains he is cheered on by literally the entire city! This movie must be way older than I am. But the song is no less inspiring. The guy jumps over park benches and sprints across everything. Damn.

Journey – Don’t Stop Believing

I confess. I’ve never heard of this song until I saw it on that episode on Family Guy. Since then, it has been converted into a ringtone for my phone. I challenge someone to come up with a Warcraft rendition.

What surprised me most is the hair. Man, did people really have hairstyles like that back then?

Europe – The Final Countdown

Did you just kill the third Drake of Obsidian Sanctum? Enter Phase 3 of Malygos? Does Kel’Thuzad have less than 15% health left? Congratulations. It’s the final countdown. You’re on to the final stretch and moments away from victory!

Any Final Fantasy – Victory Theme

Yay! Boss down! Loot and you’re all set!

Isaac Hayes – Theme from Shaft

If I had my own entrance theme song, I believe the theme from Shaft would be it.

Can you dig it? You damn right.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

Shamanism

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Shamanism will be a regular (as I can make it) posting comparing real world Shamanism and Shamanistic ideas to the Warcraft universe and will also point out how Shaman’s throughout the history of the Warcraft universe have been key players in many of the events that have unfolded. This will be a journey into the lore that brings us to our present class.

Shamanism has always been something that has fascinated me in real life. A shaman’s role in society was always varied and always important. They operated as Mediators, Healers, Leaders, Diviners, Warders of Spirits, agents of fertility among many other roles. We covered Shamanism in real life a little bit in the last post. I’ll recap them real quick.

From Wikipedia:

  • Spirits exist and they play important roles both in individual lives and in human society.
  • The shaman can communicate with the spirit world.
  • Spirits can be good or evil.
  • The shaman can treat sickness caused by evil spirits.
  • The shaman can employ trance inducing techniques to incite visionary ecstasy and go on “vision quests”.
  • The shaman’s spirit can leave the body to enter the supernatural world to search for answers.
  • The shaman evokes animal images as spirit guides, omens, and message-bearers.
  • The shaman can tell the future, scry, throw bones/runes, and perform other varied forms of divination

Shamanism is based on the premise that the visible world is pervaded by invisible forces or spirits which affect the lives of the living. In contrast to organized religions like animism or animatism which are led by priests and which all members of a society practice, shamanism requires individualized knowledge and special abilities. Shaman operate outside established religions, and, traditionally, they operate alone, although some take on an apprentice.

Well with that in mind, lets take a look at how blizzard blended this into Warcraft. Let’s first cast our gaze on the Orc race. We were introduced to the Horde way back in the days of Orc Vs. Human or the First War. They were a slovenly bunch of blood thirsty mongrels, but before that they were a nomadic shamanistic people who worshiped their ancestors and the spirits of nature. Lets take a look at the first major Shaman we are introduced to, Ner’zhul.

Here’s an excerpt from wow wiki:

Ner’zhul was the chieftain and elder shaman of the Shadowmoon clan and one of the most popular figures in orcish society. He was admired, respected and venerated by all for his deep connection to the spirits, and was the closest thing the orcish race had to a single leader prior to the foundation of the Horde. However, deep within, Ner’zhul craved a power he did not have…

One day, Ner’zhul was contacted by the spirit of his dead mate, Rulkan (with whom he had a regular correspondence), who warned him about the menace of the draenei, who were plotting to destroy the Orcs. After several moons, she introduced him to Kil’jaeden, the “Great One”, who began to instruct him in the ways of warlock magic and the treachery of the draenei. Though Ner’zhul was elated that he was saving his people (and finally getting the power and respect he deserved), he was puzzled why the ancestors would no longer speak to him, and why the spirits grew more distant.

Ner’zhul managed to get the rest of the clans to begin attacks on draenei settlements, supposedly by order of the ancestors, but, as he saw more and more of the draenei, he gradually became puzzled; apart from his horns, clothes, and skin tone, Kil’jaeden bore an odd resemblance to the draenei and possessed a hatred of Velen unbecoming of a divine being. Seeking answers, he attempted to commune with the ancestors in Oshu’gun, the “Mountain of the Spirits.” He was horrified when the ancestors greeted him as a monster, and the real Rulkan revealed the truth: Kil’jaeden had been lying all along.

Ner’zhul’s shamanistic ways were used against him to trick him into selling his people’s souls to the Blood Lust. His connection to the spiritual world was turned against him. He used his position to unite the Orc Clans and began the foundation work for the first Horde. He believed that he was doing what was best for his people. Without him being Shamanistic, Kil’jaeden would never have had the opportunity to manipulate Ner’zhul like he did, which would have made it much more difficult for him to create the bloodthirsty army that he wished the Orcs to become.

Ner’zhul was also panged by guilt, fueled by his sense of honor and duty to his people that he had ignored for so long. Eventually he decided to rebel against Kil’jaeden, and as a result was stripped of his Warlock powers. When he discovered the plans of the Shadow Council to make the Orc people drink the Blood of Mannoroth, his honor and duty bade him to attempt to save his people, but only one Chieftain would listen, Durotan of the Frostwolf Clan. Ner’zhul’s warning was one of many factors that lead the Chieftan to speak out against the corruption of the warlocks and attempt to bring the Orc people back to their Shamanistic roots. The actions of this leader caused him and his family to be assassinated. The only survivor was his son, who grew to be the figure known as Thrall. One Shaman set so much in motion that affected so much of the Warcraft universe.

Today’s is a brief post, but there will be more to come next time.

Till next time, happy healing!

~Lodur

Lodur’s Response to the Screen Shot Challenge

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Syd posted a challenge from Here at voodoo ventrues  in which our friends asked us to pick our 6th screen shot and blog about it. Well unlike Syd I don’t delete them very often, or rather ever. As you can imagine I have ones dating way back. This one was the only one listed as number 6 in my folder though.

Here it is in it’s full glory:

This goes back to the days of Black Wing Lair being fresh and new. I was playing my hunter (Abigail) back then and raiding as much as I could. Work back then kept me from being full time raider, but when I could I shot things. This was our second night of attempts against Nefarian and we made it into phase 3. I forget exactly how we exploded, but hunters found a corner and FD’d (thanks for the safe spot Zabos)  and watched as the rest of the raid exploded. One of our old mages Gno happened to die in such a way that it looked like his head had been bashed with debris. I remember thinking it was the greatest thing ever and laughing hysterically. I mean really, what’s funnier then a dead Gnome?

Doing this made me look through a bunch of my old screenshots. I have lots of fond memories from the game and about 3 years worth of accumulated screenies. It’s good to take a trip down memory lane every now and then.

So now for you guys, Who else will accept the challenge?!

What Would Your Fountain Coin Say?

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Check out this great post by community MVP Palehoof:

I saw a thread over on my realm forum which I really enjoyed, thought I’d mention the same over here.

High level fishermen (or fisherorcs, fisherbulls, etc) can fish in the Dalaran Eventide fountain and catch, occasionally, coins that figures from WoW history have thrown in, complete with the wish they made when they did so etched on the coin. My favorite is Landro Longshot, who wished "I wish i still had that coin." Amusing from the purveyor of TCG loot items.
With that in mind, if someone caught your coin from the fountain in Dalaran, what would it say on it? I’ll start.

Palehoof Geargrinder’s Shiny Silver Coin:
"I wish I knew how to make a Mechanostrider!"

Here’s Bornakk’s:

Bornakk’s copper coin: There are so many cool coins and you got mine, poor you!

And I felt this was simply too good not to share. So I ask you dear readers (and bloggers), what would your fountain coin say? Here’s mine:

Matticus’ Shiny Gold Coin:

“I can’t heal damage of that magnitude! That’s inconceivable!”

What’s yours?

Dear Lodur, a Valentine’s Day Post.

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Welcome to the first edition of Dear Lodur, a column where people can ask me questions anonymously and get advice.   It seemed fitting that this inaugural post of Dear Lodur is centered around Love is in the Air, the wonderful (or heartbreaking) festival in Azeroth. With so many people swept off their feet of left sobbing in the streets, who would be a better Draenei to ask for help than Lodur?

Dear Lodur,

I’m a prot paladin and I think that my girlfriend is cheating on me. Lately she’s been healing an offtank (a feral druid!) on Patchwerk more than me and I’m the MT! She’s not responsive to my tells and she just doesn’t seem interested in healing me anymore. Should I be worried? What should I do?

Thanks,

Worried in the Construct Wing

Dear Worried in the Wing,

The relationship between a healer and their tank is a very delicate one, but one that has been around for as long as we can remember. It is one of those natural couplings. Because this is so natural to us, we tend to see our healers with other tanks as a threat. Are you sure her healing lead just didn’t assign her to the offtank? Are you trying to send her tells while she’s healing? I would say that if you are truly concerned you should catch her after a raid, sit her down and talk to her calmly and rationally. Maybe even bring her a dozen Roses . I’m certain you’ll find she is, at heart, a one tank woman and you have nothing to worry about.

~Lodur



Dear Lodur,

My guy has recently started up Alchemy, and now every time he has extra Pygmy Oil around he downs it and turns himself into a Gnome! Lately I see him with a lot of Gnomes in the Eventide bank as well. I asked him to stop but I still find the empty vials laying around the sewers after his arena matches. I’m concerned this is going to turn into an unhealthy obsession and addiction. What can I do?

Thanks,

Distressed in Dalaran

Dear Distressed,

Get help for your loved one right away! Gnome morphing can become a serious addiction very quickly. Get your mutual friends together as well for it may be time for an intervention. Tell him how it is affecting you and how concerned you are for him. And if all else fails, wait till he Gnomifies himself, then hire a couple Tauren to drag him to Darnassus to get the Priestesses of Elune involved. I hear they did wonders for King Wrynn’s Pickled Zevhra hoof problem. Good luck and make sure you guard your ankles!

~Lodur


Dear Lodur,

I’ve been dating a elemental shaman for awhile now. We’ve raided a little bit together and everything seemed fine. Then he asked me to do some battlegrounds with him and who was I to say no? We were waiting at the gate in Arathi Basin when he shifted into Ghost Wolf (something he hadn’t done while we’ve been dating) and since then I can’t stop sneezing! He’s asked me to join his arena team, but I think I’m allergic to dogs. Help!

Thanks,

Allergic in Arathi


Dear Allergic,

Being in an arena team with someone is a large commitment, especially when balancing a potential health issue like allergies. There are a variety of solutions, though it is almost impossible to determine which will be best. First thing you need to do is figure out if you are allergic or not. Get him to transform and see if the sneezing fits continue. If they do then it’s time to disclose your allergy and talk about solutions together. As a shaman, I can say that you might want to suggest your significant other take a bath in Ghost Wolf form, as many shaman often forget that even the spiritual elements of what we do need to be cleaned once in a while. You’re reaction might just be to slightly dirty wolf hair. If that fails you may be able to work something out where there won’t be a need for him to shape shift, perhaps buy him a mount. I hear Kodo are hypo allergenic. The most important thing is that you talk about it and come up with solutions together. You need to agree in advance that you won’t fight about this or build up resentments, and that you will both give it your best shot.

~Lodur


Dear Lodur,

I’m a Nightelf priest and my best friend forever is a dwarf hunter. She tames all these different animals, sends them off to fight and some of them even die! If they don’t die, she’ll just abandon them when she has no use for them. She does the same thing to all those poor cats and small pets she picks up everywhere, just abandoning them whenever she gets bored. How can I show her what she’s doing is cruel and unusual punishment to these poor creatures?

Signed,

Ally of the Animals

Dear Ally,

Your situation is not the first I’ve heard of this. Unfortunately hunters have been brought up this way, and as a result this learned behavior is so ingrained in them it is often times nigh impossible to break. I do however have a suggestion that just might do the trick. What you need to do is find yourself a sympathetic mage and then ask a little favor from Breanni in Dalaran. Convince your friend you’re going to Breanni’s to buy some pet supplies with your mage friend. When you’re there have the mage Polymorph Cat the hunter! Get Breanni to lock the door and unleash Stinker . After being chased around for a while we’ll see if your hunter has a new respect for her poor pets. If that doesn’t work I hear Arthas has a great Re-Education program…

~Lodur


That’s it for this installment of Dear Lodur, feel free to submit your questions if you have any at all. Till next time remember,anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart!

I would like to give special thanks to Sientina from Mug’thol for her help in this post.