Questing in Loch Modan. Working on a series of quests In Defense of the King's Lands. The first few were pretty easy - bam, bam, bam - troggs go down. ... and then you have to enter that cave. I got killed repeatedly by multi-pulls in there. (Truth be told, I've been pwned in there before with fully clothed characters too.) The last quests in the series requires killing of Grawmug, Gnasher, and Brawler. I think I'll wait a bit on that.
Level 17.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Valentine's Crazyness
Worked through some uneventful quests in Dun Morogh. Completed a few quests in Loch Modan. Ding 14.
Headed back to Ironforge for some training.
Completed a few Valentine's quests in Ironforge and Stormwind. The food buffs look pretty good, but there's no XP for these quests, so I'm not going to spend too much time on them.
I'm concerned about these dwarfs. Something strikes me as a little queer...
The quests in Westfall are still yellow, but they should be a bit easier now. Headed back to Westfall to make some stew, etc.
Level 15.
Headed back to Ironforge for some training.
Completed a few Valentine's quests in Ironforge and Stormwind. The food buffs look pretty good, but there's no XP for these quests, so I'm not going to spend too much time on them.
I'm concerned about these dwarfs. Something strikes me as a little queer...
The quests in Westfall are still yellow, but they should be a bit easier now. Headed back to Westfall to make some stew, etc.
Level 15.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Hogger, Westfall, Dun Morogh
Heading out to continue questing, it's time for the ultimate menace to the realm. A truly awful beast known only as Hogger! This beast is so formidable that he is normally conquered by a group of skilled adventurers. If I, Loose Willy, level 10 and naked, could but kill this beast (level 11 elite), it would clearly be a badge of honor.
... and down goes Hogger. Woot.
After Hogger, I moved to Westfall. All of the quests are yellow, and some are getting a bit difficult. Multiple Defias Bandits 2 levels above me. I solo a few quests and have a few deaths.
More than anything, I'm frustrated by the rudeness of the other adventurers in this zone. After killing 3 mobs, higher level than myself, a level 17 fellow walks in and grabs the pocket watch I've been trying to get to. I'm killing a Defias Bandit and standing right next to an oat bag, a (fully geared) mage, 2 levels above me, walks up and grabs it while I'm taking down the mob.
At the next farm, I interact with a chicken until I can feed it and get a chicken pet. Another guy runs up and tries to grab the egg out from under my chicken. How rude!
So, for all these reasons, I decide it's time to move to an area with some easier quests and come back here when I'm a little more experienced.
I pack up and fly back to Stormwind and then head to Ironforge. Out into the icy cold of Dun Morogh for some questing more appropriate for my skill level. It's so cold here though, I'm wondering if I should have stayed in Westfall. Imagine, walking around in the snow with no shoes. Brrrr.
Level 13.
... and down goes Hogger. Woot.
After Hogger, I moved to Westfall. All of the quests are yellow, and some are getting a bit difficult. Multiple Defias Bandits 2 levels above me. I solo a few quests and have a few deaths.
More than anything, I'm frustrated by the rudeness of the other adventurers in this zone. After killing 3 mobs, higher level than myself, a level 17 fellow walks in and grabs the pocket watch I've been trying to get to. I'm killing a Defias Bandit and standing right next to an oat bag, a (fully geared) mage, 2 levels above me, walks up and grabs it while I'm taking down the mob.
At the next farm, I interact with a chicken until I can feed it and get a chicken pet. Another guy runs up and tries to grab the egg out from under my chicken. How rude!
So, for all these reasons, I decide it's time to move to an area with some easier quests and come back here when I'm a little more experienced.
I pack up and fly back to Stormwind and then head to Ironforge. Out into the icy cold of Dun Morogh for some questing more appropriate for my skill level. It's so cold here though, I'm wondering if I should have stayed in Westfall. Imagine, walking around in the snow with no shoes. Brrrr.
Level 13.
Voidwalker
Time to get my voidwalker. A personal tank is a good thing at this point.
Picked up the quest to summon and kill a voidwalker. I was assuming that it might be pretty tough and I might have to come back in a level or 2, but it was a snap. The hardest part was navigating all of the cobblestones. They are not designed for bare feet!
Welcome Big Blue.
In town I stop at the mailbox and get a care package from home. With all of the soul shards cluttering my bags, my family sent me a dedicated soul shard bag. An Ebon Shadowbag is overkill for a level 10 warlock, but with no cloths and weapons, you have to splurge on something.
"Children! Don't stare at the naked man!"
(An awkward moment leaving Stormwind.)
Level 10.
Picked up the quest to summon and kill a voidwalker. I was assuming that it might be pretty tough and I might have to come back in a level or 2, but it was a snap. The hardest part was navigating all of the cobblestones. They are not designed for bare feet!
Welcome Big Blue.
In town I stop at the mailbox and get a care package from home. With all of the soul shards cluttering my bags, my family sent me a dedicated soul shard bag. An Ebon Shadowbag is overkill for a level 10 warlock, but with no cloths and weapons, you have to splurge on something.
"Children! Don't stare at the naked man!"
(An awkward moment leaving Stormwind.)
Level 10.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Loosewilly hits the Blizzard Armory
Now that Loosewilly is level 10, he shows up in the armory.
The lack of armor is obvious, but swap over to the talents page... no weapon skills but unarmed.
Loosewilly armory entry
The lack of armor is obvious, but swap over to the talents page... no weapon skills but unarmed.
Loosewilly armory entry
More questing. Professions.
Back near Goldshire, there are a few more quests to finish up.
First, I find that a partner can kill me! I'm carefully toasting a few murlocks when a like leveled mage comes up and invites me to a group. What the heck. However, she immediately double pulls. While helping her, a 3rd one pulls. Dead. I rez, come back, and she does it again. I try to help her and once again dead. Hmmm, I thank her and decide to go it my own.
Next, I found this one quest somewhat challenging. I needed to get to a corpse near that double hut in the center of the picture. Unfortunately, a level 9 & 10 murlock against a naked level 8 warlock is a bit of a challenge. I haven't gotten "fear" yet.
I died a couple of times trying to dispatch the level 10. Then I decided that I should focus on the 9 first. I'd kill the 9, and if I died, come back for the 10. Well I nailed the 9 and then started to run. Luckily, before I died, the imp took agro, I bandaged, and then nailed him too. Double kill.
Found myself in an inppropriate situation...
I need to pick up some professions. This itself is a bit interesting. Clearly, tailoring, leatherworking, blacksmithing, and even engineering won't be too useful.
I stopped at the fisherman, but just before picking up fishing, I realize that I can't use a pole!
Finally, I settle on herbalism/alchemy. I have a relative who is an elixir master, so I thought about skinning/herbalism instead. But it just makes too much sense for this guy to be an alchemist.
Got my level 8 training which included fear. Worked on killing bandits near Goldshire and I'm getting the hang of it. 2 sec dot, instant dot, fear, 2 sec dot and then maybe toss in a shadow bolt for good measure. Able to down 4 (lower level) bandits in quick succession.
Ding!
Back in the basement of the inn, I get more training and another warlock quest. Voidwalker soon. Yes!
Level 10.
First, I find that a partner can kill me! I'm carefully toasting a few murlocks when a like leveled mage comes up and invites me to a group. What the heck. However, she immediately double pulls. While helping her, a 3rd one pulls. Dead. I rez, come back, and she does it again. I try to help her and once again dead. Hmmm, I thank her and decide to go it my own.
Next, I found this one quest somewhat challenging. I needed to get to a corpse near that double hut in the center of the picture. Unfortunately, a level 9 & 10 murlock against a naked level 8 warlock is a bit of a challenge. I haven't gotten "fear" yet.
I died a couple of times trying to dispatch the level 10. Then I decided that I should focus on the 9 first. I'd kill the 9, and if I died, come back for the 10. Well I nailed the 9 and then started to run. Luckily, before I died, the imp took agro, I bandaged, and then nailed him too. Double kill.
Found myself in an inppropriate situation...
I need to pick up some professions. This itself is a bit interesting. Clearly, tailoring, leatherworking, blacksmithing, and even engineering won't be too useful.
I stopped at the fisherman, but just before picking up fishing, I realize that I can't use a pole!
Finally, I settle on herbalism/alchemy. I have a relative who is an elixir master, so I thought about skinning/herbalism instead. But it just makes too much sense for this guy to be an alchemist.
Got my level 8 training which included fear. Worked on killing bandits near Goldshire and I'm getting the hang of it. 2 sec dot, instant dot, fear, 2 sec dot and then maybe toss in a shadow bolt for good measure. Able to down 4 (lower level) bandits in quick succession.
Ding!
Back in the basement of the inn, I get more training and another warlock quest. Voidwalker soon. Yes!
Level 10.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Stormwind & the Lunar Festival
Today I find myself killing Kobolds in the local mine. Met my death a couple of times when surprised by multiples. But generally, progress was smooth.
As quests wind down in Goldshire, I received a mission to Stormwind - the big city!
Entering Stormwind - how majestic!
While in Stormwind, I stumble onto the Lunar Festival and get teleported magically to Moonglade. (Of course I pick up the flight path in Moonglade.) Here is a photo of me with some revelers.
After returning to Stormwind, I follow up on a few more quests in town. The locals have me running errands. Strangely enough, several of these errands involve tailoring shops. That seems very odd as I have no use of such things.
Finally, before leaving Stormwind, I must stop in and see the king. I wonder if he's ever had naked visitors before? He didn't seem very impressed though.
Finally, it's time to head back to Goldshire. Another trip into a kobold mine (mostly uneventful) and then I'm directed to the eastern side of the zone. I'm a little concerned, the only quests available are yellow or orange in difficulty.
Level 7.
As quests wind down in Goldshire, I received a mission to Stormwind - the big city!
Entering Stormwind - how majestic!
While in Stormwind, I stumble onto the Lunar Festival and get teleported magically to Moonglade. (Of course I pick up the flight path in Moonglade.) Here is a photo of me with some revelers.
After returning to Stormwind, I follow up on a few more quests in town. The locals have me running errands. Strangely enough, several of these errands involve tailoring shops. That seems very odd as I have no use of such things.
Finally, before leaving Stormwind, I must stop in and see the king. I wonder if he's ever had naked visitors before? He didn't seem very impressed though.
Finally, it's time to head back to Goldshire. Another trip into a kobold mine (mostly uneventful) and then I'm directed to the eastern side of the zone. I'm a little concerned, the only quests available are yellow or orange in difficulty.
Level 7.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Willy arrives in Goldshire
Goldshire. A hint of civilization.
Most importantly, a mailbox. Although I'm going gearless, a small care package from home is always nice. My family sends me some new bags and 5g spending money. The cash will help with training, and bags are always handy.
I can get some training here too. Cooking is an important skill. Since I'm questing "in the buff", food buffs will be one of my few bonuses.
First aid. Hey wow, this trainer is a real looker. Somehow I think a fist-fighting warlock is going to need a little first-aid now and then.
It seems there are a number of urgent quests here in town. A brave adventurer like Loose Willy is in great demand. I'll talk about Goldshire quests in my next entry.
Most importantly, a mailbox. Although I'm going gearless, a small care package from home is always nice. My family sends me some new bags and 5g spending money. The cash will help with training, and bags are always handy.
I can get some training here too. Cooking is an important skill. Since I'm questing "in the buff", food buffs will be one of my few bonuses.
First aid. Hey wow, this trainer is a real looker. Somehow I think a fist-fighting warlock is going to need a little first-aid now and then.
It seems there are a number of urgent quests here in town. A brave adventurer like Loose Willy is in great demand. I'll talk about Goldshire quests in my next entry.
A new day - the end of Northshire Valley
It's a new day. The sun is shining. Oooh my skin is so tan and manly in the morning sun.
First order of business - Garrick Padfoot. This will be tricky as this will be my first (intentional) double pull. I'll need to dispatch both Garrick and his crony. In the end, he's more bark than bite and down they go.
And that finishes the quests in Northshire Valley. The commander orders me to Goldshire. The Naked Warlock is moving up in the ranks.
On my way.
First order of business - Garrick Padfoot. This will be tricky as this will be my first (intentional) double pull. I'll need to dispatch both Garrick and his crony. In the end, he's more bark than bite and down they go.
And that finishes the quests in Northshire Valley. The commander orders me to Goldshire. The Naked Warlock is moving up in the ranks.
On my way.
Time for an imp - woot!
Time to find the warlock trainer. Has to be around here somewhere... Oh, out here in the graveyard, of course! Oh look - this trainer is a real cutie. I think I'll try to impress her with a little flexing...
I hold off on the imp quest a little bit, the defias guys across the creek are a little tough, especially when they gang up on you. Soon enough though, it's I finish up the other local quests and have little problem completing the imp quest.
Woot! With a little extra fire power, the mobs should go down quite a bit quicker. Less time in hand-to-hand combat is certainly a good thing.
and training in blood pact doesn't hurt either.
I hold off on the imp quest a little bit, the defias guys across the creek are a little tough, especially when they gang up on you. Soon enough though, it's I finish up the other local quests and have little problem completing the imp quest.
Woot! With a little extra fire power, the mobs should go down quite a bit quicker. Less time in hand-to-hand combat is certainly a good thing.
and training in blood pact doesn't hurt either.
Loosewilly's first quest
Time to get my first quest. After explaining to the guard about my lack of attire, we're ready to begin this wild journey.
My first kill wasn't that difficult.
I have no "fear" capability yet. I have no summoned pet. Once I blast the mob, it comes quickly into melee range. I keep casting, but need to drink often. Even without repair costs, the copper for water proves pretty expensive to start.
I have to develop a new combat style or I'll go nuts drinking. So, I DoT the mob, hit 2 shadow bolts, and then it's all fists baby! Hand-to-hand combat saves mana and allows the DoTs to tick a bit. This proves to be a much more effective fighting strategy.
Ding!
Quest #1 completed.
Only a zillion more quests to go ;)
My first kill wasn't that difficult.
I have no "fear" capability yet. I have no summoned pet. Once I blast the mob, it comes quickly into melee range. I keep casting, but need to drink often. Even without repair costs, the copper for water proves pretty expensive to start.
I have to develop a new combat style or I'll go nuts drinking. So, I DoT the mob, hit 2 shadow bolts, and then it's all fists baby! Hand-to-hand combat saves mana and allows the DoTs to tick a bit. This proves to be a much more effective fighting strategy.
Ding!
Quest #1 completed.
Only a zillion more quests to go ;)
Entering Azeroth and the casting off of gear
Today I entered Azeroth and shed my gear. Never again will I wear armor or wield a physical weapon. The weapons of the warlock are the mental skills. By casting off my gear, I will be able to hone the use of my dark casting skills.
My new look...
and the selling of the gear...
and on to the questing...
My new look...
and the selling of the gear...
and on to the questing...
Setup mechanics
"Loosewilly" wouldn't be enough. A guild name was needed to put some context behind the name.
With an auction house mule in Ironforge, I bought a guild charter for "The Naked Warlock". (I hope the word "naked" doesn't offend anyone or violate Blizzard's terms of service. But it seems to me that there's nothing inappropriate or offensive with the word "naked".) I paid 10 unguilded toons 5g each to sign the charter, registered it, and promptly kicked them all out of the guild. I then added a trusted friend so that I could transfer guildmaster to Loosewilly.
I quickly logged into Loosewilly, became GM, and then kicked the other folks from the guild. Now the text over his head reads:
With an auction house mule in Ironforge, I bought a guild charter for "The Naked Warlock". (I hope the word "naked" doesn't offend anyone or violate Blizzard's terms of service. But it seems to me that there's nothing inappropriate or offensive with the word "naked".) I paid 10 unguilded toons 5g each to sign the charter, registered it, and promptly kicked them all out of the guild. I then added a trusted friend so that I could transfer guildmaster to Loosewilly.
I quickly logged into Loosewilly, became GM, and then kicked the other folks from the guild. Now the text over his head reads:
Loosewilly
Choosing a character class
No gear? No armor? No weapons? A friend told me I was nuts, but what the heck.
So, what classes might be the most viable in naked form? I discounted melee classes as they rely heavily on armor and combat weapons. A hunter without a bow? I think not! This leaves some kind of caster.
A mage could work, but I've already leveled a mage.
A priest could work, but I've already leveled a priest.
How about a druid or warlock?
Druids are pretty flexible, but "bear form" just amplifies armor - and I won't have any armor to amplify. And what's the point of a naked bear? Or a naked moonkin?
That pretty much leaves a warlock as the only good option.
Male or Female?
Well I have this vision of some hippy guy running around naked. And seriously, there are too many teenage boys running around with naked female characters in Ironforge. So the character would have to be male.
Human or Gnome?
These are the only 2 races that can play a warlock. Of course I'm excluding Horde. First, all of my other toons are Alliance, and second, a naked skeleton doesn't really fit my "hippy guy" image. Gnomes??? Well most of the teenage boys that aren't playing a naked human female in Ironforge must have a naked gnome who dances on the mailbox. It's just too overdone.
So - Human Male Warlock!
What to name him? Something that conveys his free spirit. The name "Free Willy" came to mind, but that name was already taken. So "Loose Willy" wins the day.
So, what classes might be the most viable in naked form? I discounted melee classes as they rely heavily on armor and combat weapons. A hunter without a bow? I think not! This leaves some kind of caster.
A mage could work, but I've already leveled a mage.
A priest could work, but I've already leveled a priest.
How about a druid or warlock?
Druids are pretty flexible, but "bear form" just amplifies armor - and I won't have any armor to amplify. And what's the point of a naked bear? Or a naked moonkin?
That pretty much leaves a warlock as the only good option.
Male or Female?
Well I have this vision of some hippy guy running around naked. And seriously, there are too many teenage boys running around with naked female characters in Ironforge. So the character would have to be male.
Human or Gnome?
These are the only 2 races that can play a warlock. Of course I'm excluding Horde. First, all of my other toons are Alliance, and second, a naked skeleton doesn't really fit my "hippy guy" image. Gnomes??? Well most of the teenage boys that aren't playing a naked human female in Ironforge must have a naked gnome who dances on the mailbox. It's just too overdone.
So - Human Male Warlock!
What to name him? Something that conveys his free spirit. The name "Free Willy" came to mind, but that name was already taken. So "Loose Willy" wins the day.
The concept
I was listening to a World of Warcraft based podcast called "The Instance" while driving back from lunch yesterday. Scott Johnson, the host, was QQing about how one of his guildmates had passed him in leveling to 70.
Well... if you've listened to the podcast, you'll know that Scott has been leveling at a snail's pace. Heck, Burning Crusade has been out for just over a year now and Scott is finally approaching 60! This isn't a criticism of Scott's progress - to each his own. This is just an objective statement of fact.
Anyway, as I heard Scott's comment, the first thought that came to mind was: "A naked character could level faster!" ... and the idea was born.
Could you level a character completely naked? How far could it reasonably be leveled? Would there reach a point where gear becomes so important that it is no longer feasible to complete even green quests or kill green mobs?
Well... if you've listened to the podcast, you'll know that Scott has been leveling at a snail's pace. Heck, Burning Crusade has been out for just over a year now and Scott is finally approaching 60! This isn't a criticism of Scott's progress - to each his own. This is just an objective statement of fact.
Anyway, as I heard Scott's comment, the first thought that came to mind was: "A naked character could level faster!" ... and the idea was born.
Could you level a character completely naked? How far could it reasonably be leveled? Would there reach a point where gear becomes so important that it is no longer feasible to complete even green quests or kill green mobs?
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