So WoW.com recently posted an article regarding the photograph of a map taken some time around BlizzCon. Now sure, this is old news. And while WoW.com admits they somehow missed the map when it was first circulated, I in turn missed something myself:
There’s a dungeon now in Thousand Needles.
Why is this especially interesting?
Because there is really only one thing of interest in Thousand Needles that could survive a major flood, and be dungeon-worthy… the Grimtotem clan.It has been a long standing complaint among players (especially Horde) that there has never been a “Tauren-Themed” dungeon, or even, since Vanilla WoW much Tauren lore. Cairne? Who? He’s almost as forgotten about as Theron over in Silvermoon. Hamuul, the Horde Archdruid himself, sits forgotten as a level 62 non-elite NPC with only 3500 health.
Fortunately, Cataclysm is already setting out to rectify this.
We already know that Cairne Bloodhoof is to be killed, and his son Baine take his place.
(Allow me this sidenote. As a screenwriter by day, I’ve been asked numerous times what I would write if I decided to take a stab at WarCraft fan-fiction. This would be in. In my head, I envision Cairne dieing in Orgrimmar, and parallel chaos erupting in Thunder Bluff as the Grimtotem finally make their move to take the city. Magatha seeks out the most important target herself, Baine Bloodhoof, only to find herself facing off against Hamuul, who protects the boy. God knows if we’ll see anything even close to this, but it’d make a great novella.)
As for Magatha… let’s take a look at her for a moment.
She is one of the most powerful Tauren shaman alive, yet she is found not on Spirit Rise with the other shaman, but on Elder Rise with the druids. Why Elder Rise? My guess would be to subtly keep her within a closer proximity to Hamuul so he can keep an eye on her for Cairne.
When Cairne is killed in Cataclysm, this will undoubtedly serve as some type of catalyst for the Grimtotem. From various quests, we know they are in league with the Royal Apothecary Society. Figure this: whatever happens, it will result with the Tauren of the horde shifting to an active offensive against the Grimtotem clan. This will culminate with the dungeon in Thousand Needles.
The objective: Rescue Baine? Kill Magatha? Heck, kill an undead Magatha raised by her Forsaken allies? Who knows.
Either way, it should be fun, and long, long overdue.
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Very long overdue and I for one hope that the grimtotem have some form of success. This will make sure they were not some small jotted down instance easily forgot, instead it will make them a viable faction for future expansion use.
Cairne being killed is completely false. Like, 100%.
The same leak said that Orgrimmar would be destroyed. Not happening.
The same leak said that Thrall would be the New Guardian of Tirisfal. That honor goes to Med’an McMartyStu.
Aaaand then 3.3 there’s datamining found that, yes, while Baine will be the new Chieftan, Cairne will be found in Desolace (i.e. expanding and doing things, and goes with Blizz said that previously unused leaders will be more active in Cata).
http://db.mmo-champion.com/q/14440/rites-of-the-earthmother/
The quest pre-update said “Return to Cairne Bloodhoof in Desolace.” It’s been switched to Baine, even though the turn in is supposed to be in TB. Thus we can conclude that Cairne is in Desolace.
Take that part out. There’s been enough annoying misinformation. But I do indeed agree on a Grimtotem instance.
Forgot to add – that “leak” was a SomethingAwful troll. Self-admitted.
Grimtotem dungeon sounds fun, but in all likelyhood, the new 1000k Needles dungeon is going to be the entrance to Skywall and its respectice dungeon we know is shipping with cataclysm.
So I’m a firm supporter of the “Bolvar becomes the next Lich King” idea.
I’m also still anti-Wrynn, so this “Wrynn becomes the next Lich King” thing makes me smile.
And finally… I’m back baby!
and I totally meant to comment that on the post before this.
And, since I saw the question asked on The Queue on WoW.com and immediately thought about Cocles and our take on dwarves…
In light of the revealed lore in Cataclysm (Ragnaros moving, Blackrock Mtn. changing, etc), where are the Dark Iron going? Are we finally going to see the reunification of the dwarves we’ve all been talking about?
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