Towny
Challenger
Posts: 299
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Post by Towny on Dec 9, 2016 15:21:52 GMT -5
Did you pick up the winterspring cub daily? the xp scales to your level, so you can just keep it running.
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Post by Twofrog on Dec 9, 2016 16:02:32 GMT -5
Did you pick up the winterspring cub daily? the xp scales to your level, so you can just keep it running. I did indeed thank you Towny although I hadn't realized until reading on here somewhere that you never hand in when you get 20 whiskers. Thank heavens for these forums!
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Post by Twofrog on Dec 11, 2016 11:39:54 GMT -5
11/12/2016
Fivefrog’s Travel Journal
Crabsticks and I have made our way from the snowy tundra’s of Winterspring in search of new adventures. Somehow we’ve ended up in the red wastes known as The Blasted Lands. I don’t think we could have found a starker contrast to Winterspring if we'd tried. Gone is the soft pale light and the chilly days instead we our senses are bombarded with stifling heat and an uncomfortable and constant red glow to everything.
Crabsticks seems to be enjoying the heat however so his socks will be remaining firmly packed away for the time being.
We did make a flying visit to the human capital of Stormwind on our journey here. I had acquired quite a few trinkets on my recent travels and wanted to take the opportunity of selling them at market. My packs were starting to get a little heavy and my dear yak is only a small specimen compared to most, so I didn’t want to weigh her down unnecessarily. Besides, who knows what new treasures I may acquire in The Blasted Lands. I’ve heard there are many shinies to be unearthed in it’s barren soils.
After taking advantage of big city hospitality and a much needed bath we have finally arrived at our destination and made camp inside the walls of Nethergarde Keep.
Crabsticks and I have pitched our tent near the stables. There’s a dwarven saleslady who goes by the name of Enohar Thunderbrew who has pitched up near us. She has introduced me to the delights of the local brew which the infantry here brew themselves. It’s quite potent but tastes like yak doodoo. Fortunately after the first few mouthfuls your tastebuds have run for the hills and drinking becomes far more productive! It’s also made sleeping much easier as the constant rumbling of thunder can get quite loud.
Our second day here was quite eventful. After a good solid breakfast of basilisk bacon to soak up last nights nethergarde bitter, we set off for a little exploring. I’d been warned to stay on my toes due to orcs being sighted in the area but I was still quite taken aback when I was set upon by a ferocious looking orc scout. There’s not much that can stand up against the might of a hungover Gnome and her crab however so we soon made short, bloody work of the impudent greenskin. Upon returning to the keep I advised Quartermaster Lungertz of our encounter. It seems other reports were also coming in of the orc advance into the mines near the keep. The mines are a strategic resource for the alliance presence here and so I’ve offered my assistance in helping the infantry thin out the orc numbers somewhat and clear out the mines of it's new inhabitants.
With the aid of a fellow Gnome, Buttonwillow McKittrick, who kindly gave me a batch of explosives to play with we soon had the orcs running as their supply camp blazed merrily! Those explosives really were a blast, if you’ll excuse the pun!
We all returned triumphant and celebrated our little victory by killing off a few more tastebuds with ample amounts of Nethergarde bitter and mulgore spice bread topped with some lovely alterac swiss cheese.
*****
I’ve been asked if I wished to join a group of intrepid adventurers being sent through the dark portal into a place called outland. It sounded interesting so I readily agreed. I was not prepared! Upon arrival at this ‘dark portal’ my little froggy knees began to shake and I’m not embarrassed to admit it. The portal was the biggest thing I’ve ever seen. Dark, brooding and taller than a mountain with the most ominous looking figures carved into the structure. I almost turned around and gave up adventuring right then and there but then one of the others handed me a bottle of homemade moonshine and I began to feel a little braver. With trepidation I closed my eyes tightly shut and stepped through. Breathing a sigh of relief I opened them again on the other side only to slam them even more tightly closed a second later. Down the long stone staircase in front of me there were demons. Hundreds and hundreds of enormous, soul sucking demons. There were infernals and fel soldiers everywhere doing battle with alliance and horde troops alike. It was both the stuff of nightmares and inspiration in one. Our group of less brave adventurers were directed to report to Commander Duron. A very imposing paladin of human origin. We were then dispatched by Gryphon to report to the alliance base of Honor Hold to assist there. I can honestly say I nearly passed out with relief to be told I wasn’t going to be thrown into the fight with the endless stream of demons constantly trying to surge up the steps towards us.
It seems this area has been named ‘Hellfire Peninsula’, I've never heard a more apt name and not just because it’s hot and red!
I and my fellows are now safely ensconced in the Honor Hold tavern discussing the somewhat nerve-wracking adventures that await. Crabsticks it must be noted doesn’t seem remotely phased by the days events and is currently taking a nap underneath one of the tables in front of the fire.
(Summary: lvl 60 at last. I haven't got this high since beginners luck got me to about 62 a couple of years ago back when I first tried the challenge. Now to just survive Outland! Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed questing through Winterspring and Felwood I found Ungoro and Silithus really boring to play in so I may go the swamp of sorrows / blasted lands route next time. I did finish up in Blasted lands to get to 60 as Silithus was doing my head in! All other challenge toons alive and well)
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Post by Twofrog on Dec 14, 2016 7:49:46 GMT -5
14/12/2016
Fivefrog’s Travel Journal
Life in Hellfire Peninsula has been the most terrifying time of my life and I can honestly say myself, and some of the other non military adventurers have been discussing moving onto somewhere less horrifying.
Not only are there demons and orcs everywhere, there are these mechanical monstrosities called Fel Reavers wandering around. No one seems to know who actually controls them or what they are doing, all we do know is if they see you, you’re dead. I hear their terrifying mechanical scream at night in my room and can honestly say I haven’t had a good night sleep since I arrived. No wonder everyone here looks permanently exhausted.
I’d been asked to go and offer assistance to a Draenei Holy man named Amaan The Wise at a temple further west of Honor Hold. A temple sounded a little less stressful than being in a fort constantly under infernal bombardment so I agreed.
It is a lovely temple and the priests here are very pleasant indeed. Much more calming and serene than infantry soldiers. One of the Anchorites, a serious chap named Obadei has asked for my aid trying to find his brother. It seems his brother, Sedei had gone to a diplomatic mission to a local orc clan and was way overdue on his return. It doesn’t sound good to me but if I can help Obadei find peace one way or the other I’m only too happy to help.
*****
Obadei drew me a map to show which path Sedai would have likely taken on his mission to the orc encampment. I began my search there. Sadly, all too soon a found the corpse of a Draenei Paladin. At first I thought he’d met his end by the hellfire boars roaming the area. They are huge ferocious beasts and this area seems rife with them. On further inspection of the body however I noticed an obvious wound to the Paladins back. It was miserably obvious someone had struck the Paladin from behind and killed him. I took the Paladins belongings back to Obadei at the Temple to confirm the identity of the poor, murdered Paladin.
It seems the murdered Paladin was indeed Obadei’s brother Sedei. Obadei was understandably distraught at the news and after thanking me left to be with his thoughts. It was a sad errand indeed.
*****
News soon got around about the murder of the young Paladin. I have been approached by one of the Dreghood leaders. He was incensed over Sedei’s death and has tasked me to bring justice to the Mag’har orcs who took Sedei’s life. How could I turn down such a heart wrenching plea and so I have done as he asked. It was an awful, bloody business and brought me great sadness.
Upon returning to the temple Anchorite Obedei was unhappy at my actions on behalf of Makuru. It seems this is not the Anchorites way. Amaan the Wise helped me to see a larger picture of events and that sometimes things may not be as they first appear and that it is not always best to react without knowing all the facts. I fear I may have killed those who were not to blame. All I can do now is learn from this for the future. Sometimes I wish life as was simple for me as it is for Crabsticks!
(Summary: lvl 62, still questing through Hellfire. I may move on to Zangamarsh shortly. All other challenge toons are now being remade on a US account as I’ve decided I’d like some other Ironman company from time to time:)
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Post by Twofrog on Dec 16, 2016 3:59:32 GMT -5
16/12/2016
Fivefrog’s Travel Journey
I have finally departed from the demon infested, fiery inferno that is Hellfire Peninsula. Travelling further west I’ve made my way to the Zangarmarsh. From what I’ve seen so far it’s definitely nicer than your average swamp! I’m used to the humid air and the smell of rotting vegetation of places like Dustwallow Marsh but there doesn’t seem to be anything like that here.
The air is much cooler and definitely smells much better. There’s the scents of exotic marsh blooms everywhere. It does seem to rain quite a bit tho so I’m going to be smelling a lot like soggy wool socks for a while!
One of the most striking features of the marsh are the mushrooms, if you can call them that. They grow hundreds of feet high, bigger than any tree I’ve seen, excluding Teldrassil that is. Like Teldrassil whole settlements are hewn into the sides and the tops of some of these mushrooms. I hear that the entire town of Telredor is built atop one. I’m excited to go and see it for myself but that will have to wait.
For now though I’ve made my home at the Cenarion Refuge. It’s an outpost of Night Elf construction not far across the border from Hellfire. The outpost seems predominantly run by the Cenarion Druids. There’s even a Tauren Druid here. Seems a nice chap with a dislike for naga although most of our conversation was spent with me talking to his kneecap, damn Tauren are tall!
Crabsticks seems very chipper and seems keen go splash about in every puddle we find, and there’s a lot of puddles here so I spend a lot of time waiting for her to finish with her paddling!
I’ve made friends with one of the Druids. Her name is Lauranna Thar’well. She’s a botanist and has asked if I could pick up a random selection of plant parts on my travels which I’m more than happy to do. From what she tells me the lakes are being slowly drained and the Druids are trying to find out why. As a result a lot of the plants here are in danger of becoming extinct so it’s important to catalog them and try to discover what’s happening to the plant life. It’s hard to imagine what could possibly drain all this water.
*****
On my journey’s collecting plant specimens I discovered something rather disturbing. There are masses of naga around the lake I traveled and they seem to have constructed an enormous water pump. Could this be the cause of the lakes draining and where on Azeroth could all that water be going? I reported my discoveries to Ysiel Windsinger as soon as I returned to the outpost. Ysiel is the expedition leader at the Cenarion Refuge. A positively lovely Night Elf with the most gorgeous silver eyes I’ve ever seen.
Ysiel was as concerned as I was about the water pump at Umbrafen lake and asked if I would check the other surrounding lakes. I foresaw a lot of soggy travelling ahead of me but Ysiel had a much better idea. She cast a druid spell on me which turned me into a raven. It was amazing, I got to fly over all the takes in a fraction of the time it would have taken me otherwise. Whilst I’ve frequently flown on Gryphons, and even a Wyvern once it was nothing like this. Actually being the raven itself felt completely different. Much more freeing and a whole lot more fun. I quite envy the druids who are able to do this at will. Still I digress!
I did indeed spot other naga pumps on the shores of three other lakes. This is most peculiar as the naga are draining their own habitat. Ysiel has now dispatched me on a very special mission. With magical seeds in my pocket I’m off to bind up the pumps and stop them working. I can’t say I’m overly excited about wandering into naga camps to sabotage their equipment but there isn’t anyone else available to do it andso off I go....well, maybe after some lunch!
(Summary: about half way though lvl 63. I completed Hellfire and got the achievement. Wasn't intending to but just kept going with quests! Now questing through Zangarmarsh. As this is the highest I've gotten on an ironman I am testing out quests a lot even though I know some are dodgy. I know this will get me killed at some point but I imagine that's what most of us do the first time time through to see what our abilities are and how far we can push things. I have made good use of the tip someone else shared on the forums of not looting corpses in condensed mob areas to slow the respawn rate. I'm also clearing large paths through to objectives so as to avoid unexpected patrols. Hopefully these 2 tactics will help with my survivability a while longer!)
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Xaya
Community Moderators
Posts: 1,663
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Post by Xaya on Dec 16, 2016 5:29:16 GMT -5
Beware of the cave in Zangar for A damp, dark place. There is often an 'invisible' mob there that will attack and kill you but you won't be able to fight back. Go in there without your pet, and don't do any AOE, or skip. The quests in that cave don't open anymore quests
Xayatherogue lvl 88 night elf rogue (alive) Wyrmrest Accord Xayapaci lvl 35 pacifist gnome rogue (alive) Wyrmrest Accord Xayahorde lvl 15 bloodelf rogue (alive) Wyrmrest Accord
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Post by Margothon Lord of the Elements on Dec 16, 2016 7:20:58 GMT -5
Beware of the cave in Zangar for A damp, dark place. There is often an 'invisible' mob there that will attack and kill you but you won't be able to fight back. Go in there without your pet, and don't do any AOE, or skip. The quests in that cave don't open anymore quests
Xayatherogue lvl 88 night elf rogue (alive) Wyrmrest Accord Xayapaci lvl 35 pacifist gnome rogue (alive) Wyrmrest Accord Xayahorde lvl 15 bloodelf rogue (alive) Wyrmrest Accord
Good advice, but just to add to this ongoing debate about this cave. My strategy on any toon, regardless of class or race. Save those 3 quests for last, make them the last thing you do in zangar, by then, assuming you have completed all sporegarr quests will be friendly. Therefore the sporregar within the cave will no longer be targetable, therefore, the "invisible ones" will not aggro you. Happy hunting.
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Post by Twofrog on Dec 18, 2016 4:44:08 GMT -5
Good advice, but just to add to this ongoing debate about this cave. My strategy on any toon, regardless of class or race. Save those 3 quests for last, make them the last thing you do in zangar, by then, assuming you have completed all sporegarr quests will be friendly. Therefore the sporregar within the cave will no longer be targetable, therefore, the "invisible ones" will not aggro you. Happy hunting. That's a great tip ty and one I haven't heard before, will definitely remember it as I do like those quests.
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Post by Twofrog on Dec 19, 2016 10:59:53 GMT -5
19/12/2016
Fivefrog’s Travel Journal
I’ve completed my mission to sabotage the lake pumps. I was quite terrified, so many Naga everywhere. I used the cover of darkness to make my way to each pump control panel and plant the seeds. It was not without incident. The control panels were patrolled at all times and I had several altercations with Naga that ended in bloodshed. Whilst on my mission I also discovered some drain schematics by one of the control systems. I couldn’t make out the writing but the drawing seemed to indicate that all the lake pumps led to a central drain system. I decided that Ysiel would no doubt want me to investigate so I carefully followed the pipe system down into the drain. When I say the word drain I mean something as large as a small village. I swam my way down into the drain following the pipes through. They all led into a cavern and piped through into several smaller caverns. I was unable to ascertain anymore than that and so I returned to Ysiel Windsinger with my findings. I do hope she doesn’t want me to investigate further. I’m not particularly fond of caves!
*****
I’m glad to say that wasn’t sent back to the caves. Ysiel is sending an expedition team to investigate further. It’s obvious that something big is going on here in Zangarmarsh and so Ysiel wishes to enlist the help of the Cenarion Circle. I’ve been asked to contact the local emissaries in Hellfire just back over the border so it’s back to the blistering heat for a short while. On a positive note at least my socks will get the chance to dry out!
With dry socks and a refreshed sunburn I’ve returned to Zangarmarsh. The Cenarion Circle will be sending help as soon as they are able so my services are no longer required at the outpost.
After taking advice I’ve moved on to the town of Telredor. This is the town I mentioned earlier that’s been built within and atop one of the ginormous mushrooms here in the Marsh. The town is an absolute wonder to behold. A young engineer Gnome by the name of K. Lee Smallfry has been my tour guide and dinner companion and has shown me all the sights. The town is mostly populated by Draenei but it’s a popular place for travelers passing through the marsh.
The inn is particularly lovely, soft, warm comfortable beds. Good drying facilities for outerwear and wonderful food. There’s even a covered balcony overlooking the Marsh which Crabsticks has claimed as his sleeping place and Abidaar the innkeeper seems have taken quite a likening to my crabby companion. I’ve caught him on several occasions sneaking her extra treats!
I plan to stay here for a little while and enjoy the amenities before I continue my adventures.
(Summary: Finished all of Zangarmarsh and hit lvl 65. Took Margothon’s advice and got sporeggar rep to friendly before doing the cave quests so the invisible mob couldn’t be aggroed. Didn’t have any problems with the zone apart from needing to be vigilant when doing the naga quests. Those quests were the only ones I really took any damage from. Killstuffrog - Bloodthirsty lvl 13 Sixfrog - Ironman lvl 27 Sevenfrog - Ironman lvl 13)
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Post by Margothon Lord of the Elements on Dec 19, 2016 11:50:04 GMT -5
19/12/2016The inn is particularly lovely, soft, warm comfortable beds. Good drying facilities for outerwear and wonderful food. There’s even a covered balcony overlooking the Marsh which Crabsticks has claimed as his sleeping place and Abidaar the innkeeper seems have taken quite a likening to my crabby companion. I’ve caught him on several occasions sneaking her extra treats! You forgot to mention the wonderful jacuzzi in the inn, i would spend most my nights soaking away the pains on Marghunt and Margymonk, drinking sporebat absinth, eating the local naga steak with mushroom brandy sauce, waiting for the late night entertainmant.
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Post by Twofrog on Dec 19, 2016 12:22:33 GMT -5
19/12/2016The inn is particularly lovely, soft, warm comfortable beds. Good drying facilities for outerwear and wonderful food. There’s even a covered balcony overlooking the Marsh which Crabsticks has claimed as his sleeping place and Abidaar the innkeeper seems have taken quite a likening to my crabby companion. I’ve caught him on several occasions sneaking her extra treats! You forgot to mention the wonderful jacuzzi in the inn, i would spend most my nights soaking away the pains on Marghunt and Margymonk, drinking sporebat absinth, eating the local naga steak with mushroom brandy sauce, waiting for the late night entertainmant. Sadly I never got to try the jacuzzi as once Crabsticks got her fat shell in there, there wasn't room even for the littlest of Gnomes. I'm pretty sure that crab of mine has gained weight, I blame the innkeeper! As for the absinth, that seemed to be missing from the drinks list, could it be you drank it all you pesky ironman you. I'll put it on my list for Great Father Winter although I may be on his naughty list after the recent spate of Naga murders...again I blame it all on the crab!
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Post by Twofrog on Dec 21, 2016 7:53:00 GMT -5
21/12/2016Fivefrog’s Travel DiaryAfter some very pleasant downtime in Telredor I have moved further into the forests of Terokkar.I’m currently lodging at an Alliance town called The Allerian Stronghold. It sounds imposing but it’s really rather nice with some very pretty buildings of Blood Elf origin.The inn is a bit sparse but it’s clean and quite cheerful with a couple of slightly dubious pictures on the walls and plenty of books. The innkeeper is a Blood Elf lady named Biribi, she’s quite striking I must say and very friendly. The food is good with a large variety of exotic cheeses which I’m rather fond of.I’ve also made friends with a group of intrepid travelling traders. Two Gnomes and a human going by the names of Eckert, Leeli Longhaggle and Fabian Lanzonelli. Fabian is a bag maker and really does create some beautiful work. Leeli trades in general, useful working goods and Eckert….well I’m not really sure what Eckert does apart from general camp chores and sleeping! They are pleasant company though and Crabsticks seems to have taken quite a shine to Leeli.*****I’ve been collecting some seed cones for for a botanist here at the stronghold. It seems Ros’eleth wants to take them back to Azeroth to see if they’ll grow in Stormwind Park.Eckert and I have discovered (quite by accident) that if you brew them up in boiling water it makes a rather potent tea with some interesting and slightly hallucinogenic side effects. We’ve kept some seeds back for further study. Purely scientific of course!(Summary: Hit lvl 67. Still questing in Terokkar Forest which I find really dull. Done that zone sooo many times! Even the quests don’t inspire any interesting froggy blogging! I may slow her lvling a bit now as I’m finding a lvl per session a bit tedious, or maybe I’ll just break it up a bit! I’ve skipped ‘the final code’ quests and the other escort quest at firewing point. Still got some quests to go in the zone but shouldn’t take too long and then onto a sunnier Nagrand )
Fivefrog and Eckert continuing more scientific investigations into the effects of Olembra seed tea!
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Post by Twofrog on Dec 27, 2016 9:36:26 GMT -5
27/12/2016
Fivefrog’s Travel Journal
My time in Terokkar Forest drew to a close and I continued my journeys into a province known as Nagrand. Oh I could go on about this land forever, it’s absolutely stunning. It’s full of green rolling hills, small floating islands that you want to spend your days exploring. Gushing waterfalls and glorious sunshine. The sky here is amazing in itself. Although it’s bright and sunny you can still see all the aurora’s and and enormous moon peeking from behind the clouds. I could waste whole weeks just lying on my back in the grass of one of the floating rocks gazing up at the sky. /Happy sigh….
In between my sky gazing and blissful daydreaming I’ve adventured out and about a little here and there.
I’d happened upon an ogre encampment and had a little look about as it seemed interesting. Honestly, I’m not a great fan of ogres, a too much loin cloth and bare flesh for my taste, especially for one of my stature!
I was just about to leave when I noticed a Kurenai boy sat mournfully in a cage. Once the ogre near by had wandered off in search for lunch no doubt I approached the lad. It seems he was off on his own little adventure and had got caught by this particular clan of ogres. I couldn’t exactly leave him there to become ogre chow so after a bit of Gnomish stealthiness I soon had possession of the key and had the lad out in no time. His name was Corki and he lived in Telaar,not far from where I found him so I dropped him off home safe and sound. His father was extremely appreciative but I have a feeling Corki won’t be wandering far from home for a while, or even out of his bedroom for that matter!
*****
It seems I spoke too soon. I was approached by Corki’s father, Arechron again. It would seem Corki has a knack for getting himself into trouble. Even more so than me. Corki had run off yet again to go and play with ogre’s, this time a clan by the name of The Boulderfist. Gnome Fivefrog to the rescue…again! Can’t say I can see what this ogre fascination is but I guess it takes all sorts.
I duly rescued young Corki. He was once again trussed up like a pilgrim’s turkey awaiting feasting time. Obtaining the key took a bit more of a direct approach but thankfully this particular ogre clan favoured a little more clothing so the experience wasn’t quite so traumatic for ladylike Gnome such as myself! Once again I returned the boy home. I’m not optimistic that’s the last I’ll see of him as all he could promise was to ‘not get caught next time’! I can’t decide if I want to slap him over the head with a wet fish to beat some sense into him, or sign him up as a travelling companion!
*****
Well I was right. The Corki Chronicles continue. This time the little nincompoop is being ransomed by an even nastier bunch of ogres. I hope this lot wear clothes, I’ve seen enough bare ogre butt to last me a lifetime. Several lifetimes in fact!
Sadly to my dismay The warmaul ogre clan like to feel the wind beneath their…whatevers! The odd bit of armour was in evidence but not covering anything you’d want covered! I can only conclude that the reason they are so feared is more down to the terrifying sight of semi naked ogre butt than their fighting prowess.
I am deeply traumatized by the whole affair and have informed Corki that should he find himself caged by ogres in the future I hope they enjoy their meal as I intend to never get that close to an ogre loincloth ever again! I shall be leaving Telaar very shortly just in case!
(Summary: Finished most of Nagrand and got almost half way through 69. It was tempting to push on to 70 but decided not to as I needed a break and would be more likely to make a silly mistake!)
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Towny
Challenger
Posts: 299
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Post by Towny on Dec 27, 2016 18:19:07 GMT -5
I have to agree with your comments on Nagrand, it's beautiful and I always enjoy questing there.
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Towny
Challenger
Posts: 299
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Post by Towny on Dec 31, 2016 21:13:13 GMT -5
So sad to hear your news I hope it doesn't discourage you, I look forward to reading about your adventures.
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