The giant two-headed white wolf paces impatiently beside the moonlit lake – no milling crowds, no one to challenge him as he roars, the sound of fireworks long since silenced – just a lonely skeleton lying forlornly on the grass, the remains of some poor soul who in desperation attempted to defeat this raid level boss single-handedly. Moonglade is deserted. Admittedly it’s the early hours of the morning Server Time but this is still a far cry from two years ago – or even last year when friend & foe congregated in large numbers to take down this seasonal monster. Perhaps, with no improved loot or valor points Omen no longer commands the respect he once held.
However, the Elders have not been entirely forsaken. And there have been a few minor changes to the Lunar Festival in 2012.
- The new achievement Elders of the Cataclysm is now necessary for the title Elder and meta-achievement To Honor One’s Elders.
- Now, when you speak to the Elder you will receive a coin of ancestry and the lucky red envelope at once (in the past the red envelop arrived in the mail).
- The elders will now show up as a golden quest mark on your mini-map as you approach their positions, making them easier to locate.
- Companion pets Lunar Lantern (Alliance) or Festival Lantern (Horde) can be purchased off Valadar Starsong in Moonglade for 50 coins of ancestry (which obviously mean speaking to a minimum on 50 elders. There are elders at some of the smaller towns (not just the ones required for the achievements – see below). As the pet is BOE, it can be bought or sold at auction houses, including the neutral auction houses at Everlook, Gadgetzhan and Booty Bay.
Check out for other tips on the quests and achievements of this seasonal event in Honoring our Elders.
For the whereabouts of the various Elders check out:
Where are the Elders? For the positions of the Elders of Kalimdor, the Elders of the Eastern Kingdoms, Elders of Alliance and Elders of the Horde.
Elders in Danger gives the positions of the Elders of the Dungeons & Elders in Northrend.
For the position of the Elders of the Cataclysm see below.
In Kalimdor:
Mount Hyjal
Mount Hyjal, in northern Kalimdor, is accessible either by flying or by portal from Stormwind or Orgrimmar following the lead-in quests available at level 80. Portals to Stormwind and Orgrimmar are on either side to the entrance at the inn at Nordrassil.
- Elder Evershade (62.5 22.8) at Nordrassil is standing outside on the south side of the Inn (near the Stormwind portal).
- Elder Windsong (26, 62) is at the Sanctuary of Malorne in southwest Mount Hyjal.
Uldum
The elders are situated in two of the ruins in the south and north of Uldum. The portal to Uldum is accessible after completing the lead-in quests available at level 83 (& starting with the caravan waiting outside the entrance to Uldum). Otherwise, it is accessible at ground level through the gate at Thistlescrub Valley in the southwest corner of Tanaris, by swimming southwest of Land’s End Beach or by flying mount.
- Elder Menkhaf (65.5, 18.7) stands at the northeast corner of Khartut’ Tomb in the small sunken area east of the very large Sphinx-like statue. Khartut’s Tomb is just inside the entrance to Uldum from Tanaris.
- Elder Sekhemi (32.6, 63) is in the northern half of Ruins of Ammon on the central south coast of Uldum. He stands at the bottom of the stairs and to one side, in front of the western jackal-headed statue.
In Eastern Kingdoms:
Twilight Highlands
The Highlands lead-in quests are accessible at 84. After completing a series of quests a portal is established between Stormwind and Highbank in the south (Alliance) or Orgrimmar and Dragonmaw Port in the north(Horde). Otherwise, you can fly to the Highlands. Ground access is possible from the northeast of the Wetlands through the Dragonmaw Gate & the Dragonmaw Pass. Watch out for hostile level 84 mobs when speaking to both Elders.
- Elder Darkfeather (51, 33) at the Thundermar Ruins in the north of Twilight Highlands. He stands next to a well, down the hill from the main square of Thundermar and just north of the Verall River.
- Elder Firebeard (50, 70) is at the Dunward Ruins just south of the Crucible of Carnage & west of the Obsidian Forest in southern part of the Twilight Highlands.
In Vashj’ir:
If you haven’t yet done the lead in quests (available at 80) you could complete to catch the boat (& the cut scene). Alternatively, it is possible (and probably quicker) to fly to Vashj’ir from the Dun Morogh coastline – just take the shortest route and fly through the fatigue.
- Elder Moonlance at the Biel’aran Ridge (57, 86) in the ruins in furthest southeast corner of the Shimmering Expanse, just south of factional ships Voldrin’s Hold (Alliance) or Legion’s Rest (Horde).
In Deepholm:
To get to the Temple of the Earth and Deepholm you need to have completed the lead-in quests available at 82+. The only other way is by summons (either ‘lock or Stonecore meeting stone).
- Elder Stonebrand (49.7 54.9 ) inside the Temple of the Earth stands a short distance in from the entrance of the Temple (on the west side).
- Elder Deepforge (27.7 69.2) is at Stonehearth in the southwest of Deepholm west of the Master’s Gate and south of the Quaking Fields.
The world of Azeroth is littered with forgotten places, abandoned by the crowds in the inexorable tide of progression towards uber gear and the most up-to-the-minute raids. Dalaran, Wintergrasp, the Argent Tournament, even Tol Barad and poor old Omen are only the latest in a long line of deserted arenas of past glory. Who haunts the halls of Karazhan or Naxxaramus these days except for nostalgia’s sake or in pursuit of a lonely achievement? Who saunters through Shattrath or sets their hearth stone to Silvermoon City or Exodar except the occasional quester leveling as fast as possible on their way to 85? It does seem a little ironic that Moonglade, the home of festival that celebrates the heroes of the past, is itself passé.
Yet such is not only the mechanics of the game but the zeitgeist of the age. Science schools and business studies get funding and accolades while history, philosophy and theology departments shrivel up in our universities and colleges. And, while it is indeed good advice to not confuse the rear view mirror with the windshield (or windscreen), rear view mirrors are still essential for safe driving. A wise person occasionally looks over his/her shoulder and remembers where they came from and how they got there. David McCullough has said, “A nation that forgets its past can function no better than an individual with amnesia.” Memory not only links us to our past actions and experiences, it connects us with our family and community, it is vital for our self-identity and it helps us navigate the uncertain future. As the great Hebrew leader, Moses enjoined, “Is this the way you repay the LORD, you foolish and unwise people? Is he not your Father, your Creator, who made you and formed you? Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.” Deut 32:5-6
Let’s not make the blunder of too readily dismissing the glories and wisdom of the past elders/fathers and mothers of our nation even while we learn from their mistakes.
Kharin
Other posts you may be interested in:
Lunar Festival
Other related posts:
Dangerous Love and Love is in the Air - Guides on Love is in the Air Festival - coming up in a few weeks!
Come One! Come All! Be Amazed at the Wonders of the Darkmoon Faire – the Darkmoon Faire starts the first Sunday of every month.
