Note: This topic was originally mentioned by Rioriel on Twitter and discussed and developed further by Rioriel, Angelya and myself. Therefore, if any credit is due, it is due to them (especially Rioriel for spawning the idea). Of course, I leave it to the [...]]]>

Last week Danslate asked about the flow of time in Azeroth:

Note: This topic was originally mentioned by Rioriel on Twitter and discussed and developed further by Rioriel, Angelya and myself. Therefore, if any credit is due, it is due to them (especially Rioriel for spawning the idea). Of course, I leave it to the moderators’ discretion to shorten the actual Shared Topic or edit it for concision.

Here is Rioriel’s original tweet:

Quote:

Other than the general passing of years, there’s no defined calendar in Azeroth. What would you name the months? #Warcraft

I would like to further this idea a bit:

Time passes, in real life and in WoW. But except for how long a day and a year are, we know virtually nothing about the calendar in Azeroth. Are there also twelve months in Azeroth as there are here? How long are they? Only because February is 28 days long in the calendars of Western civilizations doesn’t mean Azeroth’s February has to have the same length.
As there are many different civilizations with their own languages spread throughout Azeroth, what names might the days and months have?

Giving us there thoughts were:

Akabeko from Red Cow Rise

Kajite from Around Azeroth

Danslate from Danslayers

This week bloggers are making their own legendaries! To participate, blog about the topic and link back to your post in this thread.

It’s also the holiday season, yet our shared topic wish list is rather shy of topics. Give your favorite forums a holiday gift with a great topic!

First up was a wonderfully creative idea [...]]]>

Welcome back to the Blog Azeroth Shared Topic. I was horribly disorganized the last couple of weeks, and unfortunately allowed a week to slip away from me! This week we’ll be featuring the Shared Topic for the last two weeks in order to get back on track.

First up was a wonderfully creative idea suggested by Mia:

With the new Mists of Pandaria expansion, a lot of people didn’t like the idea of Pandas being part of World of Warcraft. So using the races/models that are available; try your best to mix and make your own race. (ex: You can make half nightelf and half turtle! Or Undead Orcs!)

What racials would you include? What classes can this race have?

Making their own creations were:

Mia from Chronicles of Mia

Shoryl from Tiny WoW Guild

Kajite from Around Azeroth

JDKenada from Amateur Azerothian

Amerence from Amerence Love WoW

Effraeti from Effraeti’s RP

This past week Amerence provided us with another creative topic that asked us to invite our game characters into our real world lives:

Hi guys, We all know that we play WoW in a fantasy world, but I am just so curious to know What if your characters are ported to the Real world? Where will you stay, What Inn? What food to eat? What clothes are you going to wear? (Maybe take a naked picture of your WoW character and put a real life clothes to fit with it) and How will you use your powers to help others in what’s happening in our society now a days. Please share your thoughts! Thank you!

Inviting their characters to play were:

Amerence from Amerence Love WoW

The Ancient from Tome of the Ancient

Kajite from Around Azeroth

Effraeti from Effraeti’s RP

This week Danslate challenges us to tackle time in Azeroth. How is the calendar in Azeroth devised, and how are the months/seasons/days divided? To participate, head over to the Shared Topic thread and a link to your own thoughts from your blog. If there’s an idea that you’d like to see bantered around the Nether, leave us a post with your idea at the Shared Topic forum.

In addition, our holiday Blogging Exchange is being organized right now! If you haven’t signed up for Furtive Father Winter 2011 visit Akabeko of Red Cow Rise, or leave your information at Blog Azeroth. Entries will be accepted until December 15th (that’s Thursday folks!) Give a post, get a post, and connect with your fellow bloggers!

Happy Blogging!

Much like past years (2010 at TNB/Blog Azeroth and 2009 at TNB/Blog Azeroth), this year’s event involves being paired with a fellow blogger for whom you SECRETLY write a [...]]]>

Oh yesssss, oh yess, oh yes, oh yes! It’s finally time for the Blog Azeroth Christmas event!

Introducing the 2011 Blog Azeroth Furtive Father Christmas!

Much like past years (2010 at TNB/Blog Azeroth and 2009 at TNB/Blog Azeroth), this year’s event involves being paired with a fellow blogger for whom you SECRETLY write a guest post, and you receive a surprise guest post from the blogger who was paired with you. Exclusive to this year, you are encouraged to keep your guest posts on a holiday theme.

This is event is always a ton of fun, and a great way to get to know your fellow bloggers. (And if you’re into that sort of thing… it’s also a creative way to attract the attention of new readers.)

If you prefer number breakdown:

1- Sign up
2- Receive the name of a fellow blogger.
3- Secretly learn a bit about your fellow blogger
4- SECRETLY write a guest post (preferably on a holiday theme) for your fellow blogger and email it to them.
5- Receive a surprise guest post in your email.
6- Post your received post on your blog.

Ready for it? Then get in touch with your hostess for this year, Akabeko through one of the following methods:

- Send her an email using this form
- Send her a tweet
- Leave her a comment in her announcement post.
- Drop by the thread at Blog Azeroth and leave a post with your interest.

The deadline for signups is December 15, so don’t wait!

Tying for first place and receiving a Guardian Mount were:

Effraeti – Blog Azeroth Thanksgiving Challenge 2011 and

Navimie – Pilgrim and Thanking time, put into a little ryhme

In second place, and [...]]]>

Yesterday saw the official close of the Blog Azeroth Thanksgiving Event, hosted by Amerence, and our shared topic for the last week.

Tying for first place and receiving a Guardian Mount were:

Effraeti – Blog Azeroth Thanksgiving Challenge 2011 and

Navimie – Pilgrim and Thanking time, put into a little ryhme

In second place, and receiving a Gurky/Lurky Murloc Plush was:

JDKenada – Shared Topic: Blog Azeroth Thanksgiving

In third place, and receiving a Blizzard pet of their choice was:

Rioriel – Special #33: Blog Azeroth Thanksgiving Event

We had a lot of great entries, so be sure to check out our other contestants:

Elkgarosa – Giving Thanks to my fellow bloggers
Chatmay – Blog Azeroth Thanksgiving 2011 Entry
Chronicles of Mia – Thankful for Bloggers [A Blog Azeroth Thanksgiving]
Erinys – The Great Blog Azeroth Thanksgiving Event 2011
Tome of the Ancient – Im Thankful for…
Cymre – A Day to Give Thanks
Morynne – Giving Thanks!
Razerbug – Swear Allegiance and Support!
tzufit – A Very Bloggy Thanksgiving
Kamalia – A Bountiful Feast of Bloggy Goodies
Karegina – Blog Azeroth Thanksgiving 2011 Event
BraveTank – The Blog Azeroth Thanksgiving Adventure
Anuillae – Giving Thanks
Draccus – Gratitude Out of Grieving Part 1 Saga / Part 2 (Story)
Katarna – Kat’s Thanks to Everyone out there
Vuuk – BA Thanksgiving Event
dangfool/Kallixta – Blog Azeroth Shared Topic: Thankslinking
Saz – The Turkinator
Elfindale – Thank you WoW Bloggers – I love you all!
Solitudeone – Thank You Bloggers
Spellbound Saga – Giving Thanks! (Pilgrim’s Bounty)
Fannon – A Thanksgiving Evening with Fannon’s
Edenvale – Blog Azeroth Thanksgiving Event 2011
Loronar – Thank You, and an Invitation
Martha.net – Of Turkeys and Blogs
Akabeko – Give Thanks
Anslym – An Ode to Warcraft

I’d also like to thank our judges:

Angelya - Druid Blogger at Revive & Rejuvinate and host of #IntPiPoMo Event || @_Angelya
Hydra -Writer of Almost Evil Blog, Twisted Nether Blogcaster and Blog Azeroth Administrator || @HydRAWR
Oestrus - A Priest Blogger of The Stories of O and Host of The Double O Podcast ||@OriginalOestrus
Fimlys - Asleep at the WoW, Twisted Nether Podcaster, and Blog Azeroth Administrator || @Fimlys
Beruheals - Falling Leaves and Wings Blogger and Twisted Nether Blogcast Host || @Beruheals
JadedAlt - Jaded Alt Blog, Blog Azeroth Moderator, and well known to her great boss strategy guides. || @JadedAlt
Matticus - Writer & Blogger of World of Matticus, No Stock UI, WoW Insider Raid X column, Matticast, Plusheal, Blog Azeroth. || @matticus

And all the folks nice enough to promote the event:

Girls Gone WoW Podcast (Featured Broadcast)
Loug – Writers Venture (Promoting the Event)
Leet Sauced Podcast (Featured Broadcast)
The Sundering (Featured Broadcast)
Twisted Nether Blogcast (Featured Broadcast)
MMO Melting Pot (Featured Post)
JadedAlt/Windsoar – Give Thanks! (Thank You Post)
Jamin – Thanksgiving to the Gnome Clan (Featured Post and Promoting the Event)
Altolycus – Alto’s Gold’ish Advice Blog (Avatar Promotion)
Nymphy & Orvillus – D/E The Tank (Avatar Promotion)
Apple – Azeroth Apple (Avatar Promotion)
Beruthiel – Monday Musings – Thankful Edition (Thank You Post)

Thanks for making the Blog Azeroth Thanksgiving Event so successful!

This week our shared topic looks challenges us to make our own race from the current races/models available in game. Will you be a murloc-elf, or an undead-tauren. Let us know!

Before I was going to bed, I heard someone talk to my husband about some changes in WoW they wish didn’t happen. Like removing some quests, content, class changes. One of the things that popped into my head was “companion deaths”. During the Ragnaros [...]]]>

Last week Mia asked us to walk down memory lane:

Before I was going to bed, I heard someone talk to my husband about some changes in WoW they wish didn’t happen. Like removing some quests, content, class changes. One of the things that popped into my head was “companion deaths”. During the Ragnaros fight in Classic, I heard someone in vent go “Did someone’s cat died?” and sure enough, my Black Tabby companion died. Everyone busted up laughing.

So I thought about some other changes that I would bring back…just for the day? For the week? and Permanently?

With some ideas on what they miss were:

Mia from Chronicles of Mia

Anuillae from Annuillae’s Analytical Assertions

RenaissanceMan from Children of Wrath

Erinys from The Harpy’s Nest

Navimie from The Daily Frostwolf

JD Kenada from Amateur Azerothian

Windsoar from Jaded Alt

Amerence from Amerence Love WoW

Karegine from The Reluctant Raider

Akabeko from Red Cow Rise

This week our shared topic is the Blog Azeroth Thanksgiving Event hosted by Amerence. New entries will be accepted through November 25th, so if you’d like to compete for the 3 great prizes being donated by Amerence, sign up now!

We’ll return to our regularly scheduled Shared Topics after the holidays with Making Your Own Race.

Happy Blogging! (And happy holidays for the Americans ^^)

What class are you playing with the new race Pandaren on the new upcoming expansion? I know most players are excited to role as a Monk, but there are lots of options to [...]]]>

Last week’s shared topic was all about class. With the upcoming addition of a new race in Mists of Pandaria Amerence asks

What class are you playing with the new race Pandaren on the new upcoming expansion? I know most players are excited to role as a Monk, but there are lots of options to choose from. Are you going to be a Pandaren healer, melee, caster dps or a tank?

Rolling a Pandaren are:

Amerence from Amerence Love WoW

DotOrion from Mana Cake Musings

Kamalia from Kamalia et Alia

Karagina from The Reluctant Raider

Mia from Chronicles of Mia

This week the blogging crew is waxing nostalgic and discussing features that have changed or are no longer available in the game. We’d love to queue up some new topics, so feel free to share your idea on the Shared Topic forum!

Happy Blogging!

Tell us the good, the bad, and the ugly reactions you had to the announcements made at Blizzcon surrounding the next expansion Mists of Pandaria!

Sharing their thoughts were:

Akabeko from Red Cow Rise

Amerence from Amerence Love WoW

Tigerphoenix from The [...]]]>

This week Blog Azeroth got caught up in the Blizzcon and Mist of Pandaria action!

Tell us the good, the bad, and the ugly reactions you had to the announcements made at Blizzcon surrounding the next expansion Mists of Pandaria!

Sharing their thoughts were:

Akabeko from Red Cow Rise

Amerence from Amerence Love WoW

Tigerphoenix from The Casual Mage

Corath from Corath’s Blog

Typhoon Andrew from Tyhpoon Andrew’s Eye of the Storm

Tzufit from Tree Heals Go Woosh

Navimie from The Daily Frostwolf

JD Kenada from Amateur Azerothian

Strumwulf from Strumwolf’s Stories, Ideas and Art

Jamin from Shattered Beginnings

Next week the BA crew is tackling the idea of diversity vs. homogenization of classes. If you have a great idea for a Shared Topic, feel free to drop a new thread in the Shared Topic forum at Blog Azeroth.

Happy Blogging!

Normally the words “Best” and “Grind” are not found this close together and [...]]]>

No, no, not the grind, a grind. This week Kallixta asked us to turn the tables and instead of complaining about the worst grinds ever (I’m looking at you Argent Tournament) instead, to think of a grind we loved to… well, grind!

Normally the words “Best” and “Grind” are not found this close together and there are plenty of grinds to hate. However, I’m interested in the flip side:

Was there something that required sustained and prolonged effort that you found interesting or rewarding? Was there something that was not just a chore to work on?

I’m assuming most grinds are for Reputation, but maybe you have a novel definition?

Sharing this Topic were:

Navimie from The Daily Frostwolf

Erinys from The Harpy’s Nest

Akabeko from Red Cow Rise

Herculano from Herculano Unchained

Kallixta from Kallixta’s Notes

Saz from World of Saz

This week’s shared topic asks us what’s changed with the threat changes? Do tanks need to focus their attention elsewhere? Are DPS learning bad habits? What should tanks and non-tanks know about each other’s roles? Share your thoughts on your blog, and share a link in the Shared Topic thread at Blog Azeroth!

We’d also love to queue up some upcoming topics for November, so if you’d like to get the party started with a tantalizing question, just start a new thread in the Shared Topic forum at Blog Azeroth.

Happy Blogging!

I’d [...]]]>

Hi, and welcome back! We’ve had a bit of a scramble finding a replacement for Ophelie and a few weeks of shared topics have piled up since her semi-retirement. Today I’d like to showcase all the great topics we missed, and hopefully we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled Sunday/Monday posting beginning tomorrow.

I’d also like to take a moment and welcome all the new moderators over at Blog Azeroth: Jamin, Edenvale, Akabeko, Dragonray and Amerence.

Our first topic was suggested by Stringtheory, and asks what’s better: solo or group questing?

While there are some quests that specifically call for grouping, most don’t… but do you group anyway? How many of you pick up a friend or guildie to quest with and how many grind the lonely roads alone?

Sharing their thoughts are:

Martha from Perish Twice

Amerence from Amerence Love WoW

Saga from Spellbound

Jod from Jod’s Blog

Elkagorasa from Elkagorasa the Casual

Kallixta from Kallixta’s Notes

Bless from Horde Review

Oathblade from Info about WoW from the Altoholic

Dragonray from Azerothian Life

Our next topic comes from Essence, who asks us to look at the craftier side of Warcraft!

Inspired by Kalixta’s WoW Recipe IRL topic and the “World of Warcrafts” column over at WoW Insider, I started wondering, how many people are into making WoW-like things in real life? Not just food, though food could count too. But how many people create pottery inspired by WoW? Or wigs, or costumes inspired by WoW? Or even knit or sew things relating to WoW? Or are you a fan artist with pen and paper or pastels or clay? How about Machinmas? Comics? Stories?

Is there WoW inspiration in your life? Do you wear it proudly? Do you make it? Are you interested in it? This could go lots of ways–share what you make, or link to creations you’re fond of!

The crafters included:

Essence from Gamer Girl Confessions

Rhoelyn from Beneath Two Skies

Saga from Spellbound 

Kamalia from Kamalia Et Alia 

Martha from Perish Twice 

Kallixta from Kallixta’s Notes 

Next, Saga asked us to share our personal WoW soundtrack.

The WoW in-game music is awesome, but there are times (at least for me) when I’m listening to my own music instead. Are there any specific songs that you connect with WoW? Whether it’s tied to your own characters in some way or simply because it reminds you of WoW. Please share!

Singing along were:

Dragonray from Azerothian Life

Amerence from Amerence Love WoW 

Saga from Spellbound 

Faye from The Dancing Tree 

Ancient from The Tome of the Ancient 

Saz from World of Saz 

Gladiola from The Ready Check

Oathblade asked us to dive into the Lore and determine the winners and losers in the ever-shifting story of different races:

Blizzard often tries to work unusual race/class combinations into the game for various reasons. Who do you think are the winners and losers in their efforts? Why? Does it matter if there is more representation of it (Quests, NPCs, etc) or the importance/quality?

Tackling the lore were:

Oathblade from Info about WoW from the Altoholic

Dragonray from Azerothian Life

Ringo Flinthammer from Flinthammer Hall

For our last hit of the month, Oathblade gave us another topic, this time the worst quest ever:

We all have the ones we hate to do. The quests that make us froth in rage to see their name in our quest log. So what quest do you hate above all others? If you can break down why its so horrible and rework it so it works.

Participating this week (we hope we got them all!) were:

Tzufit from Tree Heals Go Woosh

Corath from Corath’s Blog

Saz from World of Saz

Ringo Flinthammer from Flinthammer Hall

And that wraps up the September shared topics! This week’s shared topic is The Best Grind, and upcoming topics include Tanking with Threat Envy, Guild Traditions, and Diversity in the Talent Tree: Less or More?

To see more shared topics, to participate, or even to suggest your own, visit Blog Azeroth’s Shared Topic forum where all topics, new and old can be found!

Back to business now, our Topic from two weeks ago compares group questing vs [...]]]>

Here we are at what is likely to be my last Shared Topic recap. We’ve got one, possibly two awesome people who volunteered to take over. You will probably get to meet at least one of them next week.

Back to business now, our Topic from two weeks ago compares group questing vs solo questing, a Topic that is long overdue considering the Cataclysmic change in quests. The Topic was suggested by Martha from Martha.net:

While there are some quests that specifically call for grouping, most don’t… but do you group anyway? How many of you pick up a friend or guildie to quest with and how many grind the lonely roads alone?

Sharing the Topic were:

Martha from Martha.net

Amerence from Amerence Love WoW

Saga from Spellbound

Jod from Jod’s Blog

Elkagorasa from Elkagorasa the Casual

Kallixta from Kallixta’s Notes

Bless from Horde Review

Oathblade from Info about WoW from the Altaholic

Dragonray from Azerothian Life

And our more recent Topic was suggested by Essence of Gamer Girl Confessions who asks us to share our World of Warcraft IRL creations:

Inspired by Kalixta’s WoW Recipe IRL topic and the “World of Warcrafts” column over at WoW Insider, I started wondering, how many people are into making WoW-like things in real life? Not just food, though food could count too. But how many people create pottery inspired by WoW? Or wigs, or costumes inspired by WoW? Or even knit or sew things relating to WoW? Or are you a fan artist with pen and paper or pastels or clay? How about Machinmas? Comics? Stories?

Is there WoW inspiration in your life? Do you wear it proudly? Do you make it? Are you interested in it? This could go lots of ways–share what you make, or link to creations you’re fond of!

Participating were:

Essence from Gamer Girl Confessions

Rhoelyn from Beneath Two Skies (who didn’t really participate but did share her crafting column)

Saga from Spellbound

Kamalia from Kamalia et alia

Martha from Martha.net

Kallixta from Kallixta’s Notes

In particular, we need someone to take over the Shared Topics (as I’m constantly reminded by the Shared Topics regulars, I just can’t keep up anymore!), and we’d also like 1-2 other enthusiastic bloggers who want to [...]]]>

The crew at Blog Azeroth would like a few fresh faces to help out on the forums.

In particular, we need someone to take over the Shared Topics (as I’m constantly reminded by the Shared Topics regulars, I just can’t keep up anymore!), and we’d also like 1-2 other enthusiastic bloggers who want to give a hand to new members and encourage activity on the boards.

In case you were wondering what would be demanded…err…expected of you, here’s a list of the tasks tackled by the team:

It’s a lot fun and a great way to get to know your fellow bloggers!

Ideally, we want someone (or rather someones) who knows Blog Azeroth well, has a reasonable amount of blogging experience and who’s eager to encourage other bloggers.

To take over the Shared Topics, I’d REEEEEALLLY love for one of you regulars to volunteer. You guys understand the spirit of ST-ing better than anyone and I know that any of you would do a fantastic job.

If this sounds like you and something you’d like to do, you can get in touch with either Windsoar or I or you can post in this thread at BA (you must be logged in to view it).

* * *

On a more personal note, I’m not stepping down as a Blog Azeroth mod, but I know that I can’t keep up with the Shared Topics anymore. One recap every three weeks… you guys deserve better than that! I’ve been hoping that my real life would get less hectic, but I don’t see that happening any time soon. I don’t think I know how to live a non-hectic life.

I had a great time in the approximate year and a half I followed the Topics closely. I got to know several of you (though you didn’t know me!) through your writing. Even if I sometimes get snappy when I’m reminded to do my job, it brought me a lot of joy to see that other bloggers actually cared about our Shared Topics.

When I started blogging, I did every Shared Topic for about 6 months. To me, it was like writing camp: take a topic, bend it my way, then compare notes. From them, I grew as a writer. When the Shared Topics moderator at the time was stepping down, I lobbied for the position. Didn’t really give anyone choice. “Shared Topics” I said. “They’re mine now. MINE.”

And now I couldn’t wish for anything better than someone else appropriating the Topics.

Cheers!
Ophie

So three topics!

The first revolves around bag space. Suggested by Amerence of Amerence Love WoW, it goes like this:

We all know that [...]]]>

Once again I fell off the internet. The weeks just fly by so fast. I keep thinking it’s only been a couple of days. Boy am I wrong.

So three topics!

The first revolves around bag space. Suggested by Amerence of Amerence Love WoW, it goes like this:

We all know that since Vanilla days, soulbound items cannot be send to any of your characters in game unless these items are Bind on Account. Some cannot even be sold to vendors. Top of that Every expansion, patch after patch either we still have Old tier gears that we don’t like to dispose/disenchant even some old content trinkets that I myself like to keep (To think I still have my Carrot on a stick trinket), and for sure most of you feel the same way about Keeping them or just want to add to your collection of gears, but everyone has its own opinion about this for sure…

So I like to ask you… Would it be worth a try to suggest to Blizzard to extend the capacity of our Bag and Bank item slots? Or do you think the cost of just tailored Bags (22-30slots) will do the work? Or Is it just not worth the time to even be mentioning these non sense about the Bag and Bank items capacity? I am just as curious as you are to know because honestly Items are getting piled up especially the soulbound items. Is there any other options for the Soulbound items to go somewhere or something it may not be right now but how about in the future? Honestly, My bank and Bag slot in one character is getting really full and that excludes the consumables you carry for raid. PLease share your opinion about it You can also post up a your current screenshot of your bank and bag items! with your response.

Sharing their thoughts were:

Amerence from Amerence Love WoW

Dragonray from Azerothian Life

Oathblade from Info about WoW from the Altaholic

Aliera from The Violet Scribe

Erinys from The Harpy’s Nest

Eccentrica from Eccentrica Jones

Kaezhol from Shearing Shammy

Stringtheory from Martha.net

Second topic!

Suggested by Dragonray of Azerothian Life who asks: What kind of guild are you?

What kind of guild environment do you like?

From this I am referring to whether you like a quiet guild or a chatty guild – is there a happy medium? I have noticed that the guild I have joined never says anything in guild chat and you really have to push them to chat?

Exposing their guild preferences are:

Dragonray from Azerothian Life

Amerence from Amerence Love WoW

Saga from Spellbound

Essencenchanted from Girl Gamer Confessions

Oathblade from Info about WoW from the Altaholic

And our latest, very timely, topic was suggested by Essencenchanted of Girl Gamer Confessions. Transmogrification people! What do you think?

So, by now, we’ve all seen the tidbits of Patch 4.3 that Blizz has decided to release to us. The hype, in particular, surrounds two things directly related–Transmogrification and Void Storage. If you do not have any idea at all about what the two of those are, you can view the blue posts here (Transmogrification) and here (Void Storage).

What are your thoughts on these two new things Blizz wants to put into the game? Has it fulfilled your need for bank space (a recent ST)? Will it make you more interested in the game? Could you care less? Is there anything you’d change? Let’s have at it, ladies and gents! Nitty and gritty!

Talking about “it” were:

Essencenchanted from Gamer Girl Confessions

Jamin from Shattered Beginnings (he was so inspired, he even wrote a second post)

Erinys from The Harpy’s Nest

Typhoonandrew from TyphoonAndrew’s – Eye of the Storm

Karegina from The Reluctant Raider

Corath from Corath’s Blog

Oathblade from Info about WoW from the Altaholic (she was also very inspired)

Sayomara from Grand Old Podcast

Dragonray from Azerothian Life

Windsoar from Jaded Alt

W00t! Some great reading material for you all there!

* * *

Itching to write now? Check out this week’s topic: Solo vs Party Questing.

Blog all about it then Share a link to your post in the thread at Blog Azeroth!

How does your character define themself? What part of their identity is most important to their personality and self-presentation?

In meatspace, we have so many [...]]]>

This week’s Shared Topic was suggested by Akabeko from Red Cow Rise and invited us to ponder on how we identify ourselves and/or our characters within the game.

How does your character define themself? What part of their identity is most important to their personality and self-presentation?

In meatspace, we have so many affiliations, it’s anyone’s guess whether we consider ourselves a tuba player first, or a student, a Gators fan, a New Yorker, a mother, a nerd, a liberal. Our identities are comprised of so many different aspects of life that it’s hard to tell which parts different people will choose to define themselves.

In game, there are less game-related ways to identify.

your class – your spec
your race – a particular subgroup (Mag’har, Wildhammer)
your faction – a faction other than Horde/Alliance

Sharing this Topic were:

Akabeko from Red Cow Rise

Aliera from Violet Scribe

Saz from World of Saz

Amowrath from Light’s Wrath

Dragonray from Azerothian Life

Karegina from The Reluctant Raider

Kamalia from Kamalia et alia (who also wrote a part 2!)

Corath from Corath’s Blog

Kallixta from Kallixta’s Notes

Aro from Dragonsworn

Essence from Gamer Girl Confessions

Oathblade from Info about WoW from the Altaholic (who also did a part 2)

Kaezhol from Shearing Shammy

Rhoelyn from Beneath Two Skies

And for this week’s Topic (though I’m a little late with this writeup so you have to hurry to do this Topic before Sunday!), it’s all about Bagspace. What are your bags like? Have enough room? Want to trade in that tiny 14-slot Backpack for something more…useful? Wish there was somewhere to put your tabards?

Blog about it and share a link to your post in the week’s Shared Topic thread at Blog Azeroth.

Have you ever attempted a WoW cooking recipe IRL? Have you found someone else’s recipe and tried to follow it?

There have [...]]]>

Have we got a treat (or several treats…) for you this week! Kallixta from Kallixta’s Notes suggested this week’s gastronomically excellent topic on bridging WoW Cooking Recipes and the real world:

Have you ever attempted a WoW cooking recipe IRL? Have you found someone else’s recipe and tried to follow it?

There have been folks that have used their own Unidentified Cooking Utensils to produced recipes and some have worked better than others. Share yours!

Or perhaps you can follow a recipe. but not create one and there is this fascinating recipe that you need created for you by someone with the right skills?

The reverse might also be a consideration: What IRL foods are missing in Azeroth?

Sharing some deliciousness are:

Kallixta from Kallixta’s Notes

Edenvale from The Gamer’s Fridge (who’s blog theme is this Shared Topic)

Aliera from The Violet Scribe

Ophelie from The Bossy Pally and the Giant Spoon

Gladiola and Manners from The Ready Check

Next week’s Shared Topic invites us to think about our characters (and ourselves) and how we identify them/ourselves within the game. Do you think of yourself as a healer first? As a warrior? As a raider? Share your thoughts in a blog post and post a link in the thread at Blog Azeroth so that we can all read them!

Ghostcrawler recently said [...]]]>

After a couple of week’s hiatus due to me moving AGAIN and not be able to get my internet working until two weeks later, the Shared Topics are back! This week’s Topic was suggested by Ringo Flinthammer of Flintammer Hall, who was inspired by the words of our favourite crab:

Ghostcrawler recently said that, in his estimation, the game is the most balanced it’s ever been. Agree? Disagree? And if it’s the most balanced, does that mean it’s enjoyable for you at the moment — have there, in other words, been more enjoyable, if less balanced, moments in the past?

Speaking out on game balance are:

Oathblade from Info about the World of Warcraft from the Altaholic

Typhoonandrew from TyphoonAndrew’s – Eye of the Storm

Aliera from The Violet Scribe

And next week we’ve got a really creative topic, that also happens to be close to my heart: WoW and food. Trying WoW recipes in real life, talking about recipes that should be in WoW but aren’t, inventing WoW recipes… Now that I think about it, I’m starving!

Post your take on the topic in your blog and share a link to it on the Shared Topic thread at Blog Azeroth!

And check out this sneak peak at upcoming topics:
Identity & Affiliation
Bags and Bank Capacity…

This week’s Topic [...]]]>

I am safely home from vacation and get to breathe a little bit while waiting for the moving van to come pick up my stuff. And because I’m home, we get an almost-on-time compilation of one week’s Shared Topic. Let us all celebrate by participating in next week’s Topic!

This week’s Topic was contributed by Sharden of the blog 15 Minutes of WoW and opened discussion on the delicate endeavor that is perfecting an MMO death system:

How do you think dying in an MMO should affect the characters? In WoW we have a relatively insignificant repair cost from durability for a PVE death and no consequence for dying to another player. Do you think this is enough, too much, or needing improvement? Tie-ins to related MMO’s or multiplayer games and what sort of repricussion there is for failure there can be a good way to explain your thoughts.

Participating were:

Sharden from 15 Minutes of WoW

Elkagorasa from Elkagorasa the Casual

Violet Scribe from The Violet Scribe

Amerence from Amerence Love WoW

Oathblade from Info about the World of Warcraft from the Altaholic

Blayze from Tank Out of Water

Martha from Martha.net

And this week we speculate about Blizzcon and what Blizzcon shall bring! What do you think will be announced at Blizzcon? Blog about it and link us your post in the thread at Blog Azeroth!

Be sure to start planning for these upcoming topics as well:
RP and Bliz’s Multimedia push
Tell us, oh fortunteller, about patch 4.3 …
“The most balanced it’s ever been”

I’m still really pressed for time – I’ve totally overstayed my welcome in this coffee shop – so this round up is going to be quick. [...]]]>

Greetings, greetings! I didn’t mean to fall behind again, but I’ve been backpacking for about a week and a half now, and sure enough, the inevitable happened.

I’m still really pressed for time – I’ve totally overstayed my welcome in this coffee shop – so this round up is going to be quick. Besides, I’m quite positive that these posts are read for the links, not for the fluff I add to them ;D

So the Shared Topic from two weeks ago! Corath of Corath’s Blog proposed:

What are your thoughts on not only this new feature, but “premium” features being added into the game?

Participating were:

Corath from Corath’s Blog (he even participated twice!)

Amerence from Amerence Love WoW

Violet Scribe from The Violet Scribe

Saz from World of Saz

Akabeko from Red Cow Rise

Lodur from World of Matticus

And last week’s Topic was suggested by Ringo Flinthammer of Flinthammer Hall (who always saves our necks when we run out of Topics!):

Despite a well-publicized dip in subscriber numbers, most WoW players have stuck around. But those folks didn’t leave for no reason, so what keeps you coming back and still playing?

Is it the friends? The new content? Old content still to explore? Alts? PvP? Roleplaying?

Violet Scribe from The Violet Scribe

Saz from World of Saz

The Ancient from Tome of the Ancient

Kamalia from Kamalia et alia

Amerence from Amerence Love WoW

As this week, we have a great Topic about death consequences in MMOs. Blog about it and share a link to your post in the thread at Blog Azeroth for some link love next weekend!

The first, from two weeks ago, was suggested by Nube from The Lonely Pally about guild ownership:

Since Cata started, guilds matter more. In order to receive Guild benefits, everyone [...]]]>

Following my newly installed tradition (which I do hope to break in the future), we have two exciting Shared Topics to, well, share.

The first, from two weeks ago, was suggested by Nube from The Lonely Pally about guild ownership:

Since Cata started, guilds matter more. In order to receive Guild benefits, everyone most work for them. In Wotlk, leaving a guild meant changing Guild Tags, in Cata it means TIME.

Does a Guild belong to those who lead it? Should we check Guild Etiquette?

Speaking up were:

Nube from The Lonely Pally

Unglar from Shredding Attacks

Aliera from The Violet Scribe

Kvenna from Kvenna

Christine from Christine’s Blog

Forz1 from Dented Armor

Typhoon Andrew from Typhoon Andrew – Eye of the Storm

Saz from World of Saz

Rustbeard from Little Blue Dog

Shadowfôx from Death Knights Don’t Blog

Morynne from Marks 365

Anslym from Bag Overflow

Herculano from Herc the Merk

As for our second topic, Akabeko from Red Cow Rise came up with the creative idea of letting one of our characters guest post on our blog:

Your character has been chosen to be published in the revered guest column section of a major publication (Ironforge Times, The Steamwheedle Port Journal, The Orgrimmar Post, etc). Share a clipping of their editorial, guide, meandering nostalgia piece, impassioned call to action, scathing political takedown, or shameless self-advertisement on your blog.

Check out the character guests posts from:

Akabeko from Red Cow Rise

Typhoon Andrew from Typhoon Andrew – Eye of the Storm

Aliera from The Violet Scribe

Squelchy from Blame Squelchy

This upcoming week, we’re Sharing the appropriately timed Topic of class gear sets. With tier 12 looks being revealed only a few days ago, quite a few us have our minds on gear sets! Write all about it on your blog and Share a link to your post in the thread at Blog Azeroth.

As a reminder, if you participate in the Topic, please include a link your post (not just your blog!) when replying to the thread. If you don’t provide a link for me to work with, I won’t be able to include you in this write-up.

If you’re itching to see what Topics are coming up, read up on the following:

New Class Theories
Top 5 Food for MMOgamers

Deathwing may have caused the Cataclysm, but the leaders [...]]]>

The first Shared Topic was from two weeks ago, a Topic that called bloggers to ponder the lore of Azeroth. It was suggested by Ringo Flinthammer of Flinthammer Hall and reflected on the progress the Horde have been making in the fight for Azeroth:

Deathwing may have caused the Cataclysm, but the leaders of the Horde have been quick to take advantage of the chaos.

The lands north of the Thandol Span now almost entirely belong to the Forsaken. The Alliance have been expelled from Azshara and the Stonetalon Mountains. Only in the Southern Barrens are the Horde losing any ground.

Is the war between the Alliance and the Horde close to an end, with a Horde victory? Are Sylvanas and Garrosh close to conquering the Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor between them?

What, if anything, can stop the Horde warmachine?

Participating were:

Jod from Jod’s Blog

Aliera from The Violet Scribe

Saz from World of Saz

As for last week’s Topic, it was proposed by Garona of PvE Rogues who asked us what our favorite race was:

“What is your favourite race in wow?”

Perhaps your favourite race is the one that yields the best DPS or raid utility? Perhaps you’d rather have a certain race because it seems to suit your class best or your characters back story. Maybe you like PVP beneficial racial traits or just like the look of those sexy draeneis or blood elfs.

If questing and alts are more to your liking which race has the best questing racial traits or the most interesting starting quest zones/chains? If you run a personal blog perhaps you wnat to simply talk about what you think about the races, which ones look best, which ones have the best emotes and /dance animation? If you have an RP blog/story going perhaps one of your blog characters falls in love with a race from another faction?

Maybe they just have a fetish for blue hooves or they simply like hanging out with other gnomes. Perhaps you could write a small section of your story that reveals a secret fetish for a certain race or a secret crush!

Revealing their favorites were:

Rustbeard from Little Blue Dog

Aliera from The Violet Scribe

Ama from Specced for Drama

Corath from Corath’s Blog

Saz from World of Saz

Syrco from Syrco Owl

Kamalia from Kamalia et alia (who also wrote a follow-up post)

Christine from Christine’s Blog

Jod from Jod’s Blog

The Pink Pally from Avocation WoW

Tzufit from Tree Heals Go Woosh

Solitudeone from Moonkin Journeys

Kallixta from Kallixta’s Notes

Aaaaand for this upcoming week, we’ve got an unusual Topic. Our Alts…do they know each other? RPers will likely answer easily. But even for us non-RPers, when we stop and think about the existences of our multiple characters, we can’t help but come up with an answer ourselves. So do your characters know each other? Blog about it and Share by posting a link in the thread at Blog Azeroth.

As for our future Topics, be ready for:
Weird gaming habits
Who Owns a Guild?
Character guest column

The first, from two weeks ago was suggested by Ringo Flinthammer of Flinthammer Hall who invited us to take a break from all the number talk and turn our attention to the story unfolding in Azeroth, more particularly to the Horde. [...]]]>

Welcome to another edition of Shared Topics with two juicy, juicy topics!

The first, from two weeks ago was suggested by Ringo Flinthammer of Flinthammer Hall who invited us to take a break from all the number talk and turn our attention to the story unfolding in Azeroth, more particularly to the Horde.

For years, fans of the Horde have described them as noble savages or, at worst, misunderstood people trying to make their way in a hostile world.

But that may have changed in the wake of the Cataclysm. The Forsaken have rolled across the northern lands of the Eastern Kingdoms, slaughtering all enemies in the Hillsbrad Foothills and seek to claim Gilneas for their own. The orcish war machine is rolling across Kalimdor, unleashing fire and devastation in Azshara and the Stonetalon Mountains. Horde NPCs even argue amongst themselves about the brutality of their methods.

Has the Horde changed? Is Blizzard merely clarifying the way they’ve always wanted to portray them? Or is this merely the start of a story about the soul of the Horde?

Giving this topic the attention it deserved required a good grasp on the lore, which is why I gave it an extra week. It was worth the wait as the responses were interesting and, to the lore n00b that I am, enlightening. Participating were:

TwilliK from Arcane Envoy

Aliera from The Violet Scribe

Saz from World of Saz

Hadrimda from Hadrimda’s Blog

As for this week’s Topic, suggested by Ama of Specced for Drama, well, it doesn’t really need an introduction…

What is your favorite profession and why?

Offering their input are:

Garona from PvE Rogues (Her site’s down at the moment, I’m hoping it’ll be back up soon)

Sarindre from Through the Eyes of a Tree

Gneisha from Totally My Totem

Aliera from The Violet Scribe

Saz from World of Saz

Kamalia from Kamalia et alia

Fannon from Dwarven Battle Medic

Akabeko from Red Cow Rise

Corath from Corath’s Blog

Malevica from Type H for Heals

Kahiaau from Green Bars Spec (Who tried to hide from me)

Enlynn from Bubblespec

And coming up on Blog Azeroth, so so many exciting Topics! Next week, we’ve got another Horde vs Alliance Topic. Azeroth, is the Horde on the road to conquering it? Show off your knowledge of Azerothian politics (and maybe teach me some) and share a link to your post in the thread at Blog Azeroth.

Then get ready for these inspiring upcoming Topics:
Favourite Race
Do your alts know each other?
Weird gaming habits

The first Shared Topic, from two weeks ago (I left it open an extra week since it was such a good topic and I was hoping to read more posts on it- yes I’m selfish like that) was suggested by Ringo Flinthammer [...]]]>

Yay! Two Shared Topics! What a fantastic way to end the weekend!

The first Shared Topic, from two weeks ago (I left it open an extra week since it was such a good topic and I was hoping to read more posts on it- yes I’m selfish like that) was suggested by Ringo Flinthammer of Flinthammer Hall. He got us thinking about future content patches and what we were hoping to see from. The timing ended up being perfect since the 4.1 PTR notes were released right at the end of the Topic.

Although players are still busy digging through all of the Cataclysm raid and heroic content, some are already starting to wonder what we’ll see added to the game in the 4.1 patch and beyond. While we have some hints, what do you expect to see added over the life of the expansion? How many patches? How many new dungeons? What will happen to your favorite professions? And how will the expansion’s storyline continue to unfold — and which loose ends will be wrapped up by the time the 5.0 patch is released?

Speculating were:

Aliera from The Violet Scribe

TwilliK from The Arcane Envoy

Rustbeard from Little Blue Dog

Beniffer from Blind Deaf Mute

And this week’s Shared Topic was an old favourite, causing an eruption of weapon appeal analysis. Kallixta of Kallixta’s Notes was the suggester.

I was comparing a new upgrade to my older item when it struck me how much I liked my old item. Like is wonderfully subjective and I hope others will explain their measure.

Is your favorite weapon something with strong memories for you? Is it something that just works well for RP purposes? Or maybe the balance of abilities meshes better than normal to your spec and play style?

Sharing their favorites are:

Kallixta from Kallixta’s Notes (who also wrote an RP version)

Larisa from The Pink Pigtail Inn

Garona from PvE Rogues

Val from Honeymint Tea

Aliera from The Violet Scribe

Hadrimda from Hadrimda’s Blog

Amaranth from Specced for Drama

Halophoenix from Azeroth Metblogs

Sarindre from Through the Eyes of a Tree

Kamalia from Kamalia et alia

Saz from World of Saz

And for the upcoming week, get ready for some factions heat! The Horde, are they becoming the “evil” side of WoW? As the tale of Azeroth unfold, they’re more and more depicted as merciless killers. Do we sense a good vs evil fight between Allience and Horde coming up? Blog about it and share a link to your post with us at Blog Azeroth!

As for future topics, get ready for:
Favorite Profession
Is the Horde close to conquering Azeroth?
Favourite Race

What do you do when a normally [...]]]>

This week, we’ve got a guild management-related Shared Topic. It feels like it’s been awhile and the timing was perfect for Jack’s (of the blog, The Casual Raider) suggestion of writing about how to manage guildies who just aren’t performing or behaving to their potential anymore.

What do you do when a normally good guildmate performs poorly or behaves badly? Your rock solid tank comes to raid ungemmed, your master mage dips down into pre-cata dps numbers several nights in a row or your best healer can’t seem to keep from going oom 2 minutes into any fight. What do you do? The obvious answer is shoot the hostage but…

Sharing their thoughts are:

Jack from The Casual Raider

Cryptic from Blessing of the Grove

Kvenna from Kvenna

Unglar from Shredding Attacks

Pea from Target Dummies

Halophoenix from Azeroth Metblogs

Herculano from Herc the Merc

Next week we get into speculation mode with a Topic about predicting the content of future Cataclysm patches. Make your predictions as realistic or as silly as you like and link back to them in the thread at Blog Azeroth.

And for the scoop on upcoming Topics, check out:
What is your favorite weapon?
Horde: Good or evil?
Favorite Profession

There are elements of WoW we love and elements of WoW that could use some revamping. This week’s Shared Topic, suggested by Naithin of Fun in Games addresses just that. If you could sink [...]]]>

It’s the eternal discussion: “Well, if I were in charge of the game, I‘d make it do this.”

There are elements of WoW we love and elements of WoW that could use some revamping. This week’s Shared Topic, suggested by Naithin of Fun in Games addresses just that. If you could sink your claws into WoW’s design, what would you do?

Pretend for a moment that WoW hasn’t yet been released. Or perhaps it is, but you’ve never heard of the whole SWG NGE debacle, and thus have no fear about dramatically changing how everything works post-release.

You have the original (or BC, or Wrath, or Current, your pick) design docs to start from, but you’re free to change absolutely everything if you so choose.

With all this power, what would you change? What would make WoW the dream game for you?

Sharing their ideas are:

Naithin from Fun in Games

Violet Scribe from The Violet Scribe

Tzufit from Tree Heals Go Whoosh

Saithir from The Angry Dwarfs

Casual Raider from The Casual Raider

Saz from World of Saz

Gavendo from Rapid Fire

Next week, our Shared Topic is about what to do when a usually good teammate seems to be…less good… either performance-wise or behaviour-wise. What are your suggestions to help your teammate or guildie get back on the right track? Blog about it and Share a link to your post in the thread at Blog Azeroth!

Want to know what Topics are coming up? Check out:
Future Cataclysm content patches
What is your favorite weapon?
Horde: Good or evil?

Ringo Flinthammer of Flinthammer deserves all the credit for bringing up this great Topic: [...]]]>

Here’s a Topic that reaches right into our heads and encourages us to speak up on an aspect of Cataclysm that we’ve all secretly pondered: were 5 levels (as opposed to the usual 10 per expansion) a good idea?

Ringo Flinthammer of Flinthammer deserves all the credit for bringing up this great Topic:

For the first time, WoW’s latest expansion, Cataclysm, only raised the level cap by 5 levels, in addition to the other content it added. Was Blizzard right to make this call? All other things being equal — the same number of high level zones and dungeons, for instance — should they have raised the cap by 10 levels? Should the fourth expansion be a 5-level or 10-level jump?

Want to know what WoW bloggers and readers had to say about it? Read the posts by:

Fealen from Cow and Bones

Elionene from Good Morning Azeroth

Elsen from View Through the Branches

Casual Raider from The Casual Raider

Tazok from Azeroth and Beyond

Kallixta from Kallixta’s Notes

Naithin from Fun in Games

Etherjammer from Duct Tape and a Prayer

Corath from Corath’s Blog

Anslym from Bag Overflow

Squelchy from Blame Squelchy

As for this upcoming week, our Shared Topic concerns boss fights. For the common of the mortals, most raid (and even some 5-man) bosses feel chaotic the first time. It’s like being in a loud, flashy bar where everyone speaks a foreign language. But eventually it falls together and before you know it, you’re doing the fight with one hand, while doing your nails with the other and watching TV. How do you get from the initial chaos to the magic “ah-ha!” moment where everything falls together? Blog all about it and share the link in the thread at Blog Azeroth!

Want a peak at some more topics? Check out:
Digging archeology?
Reign over the Design of WoW. What do you do?
When Good Guildies Go Bad

Because Blog Azeroth was so quiet lately, it took a couple of weeks and two separate Topics to gather enough posts for a compilation.

The first Topic was suggested by [...]]]>

After a few weeks break as we all recovered from the holidays, I welcome you all back to the Shared Topics write-up!

Because Blog Azeroth was so quiet lately, it took a couple of weeks and two separate Topics to gather enough posts for a compilation.

The first Topic was suggested by CasualRaider of the blog The Casual Raider about when the lights go out on a guild:

What happens when a guild shuts down? Sometimes no matter how hard you try to keep your guild together it collapses. What do you do after the fallout has cleared? This topic could be about several different aspects of guild dissolution(i.e. finding a new guild, rebuilding your current guild, maintaining friendships with players etc…)

Sharing their thoughts are:

Casual Raider from The Casual Raider

Nutella from The Templar’s Hammer

Rakhman from Way of the Druid

Corevin from WoW Am I Lost?

Windsoar from Jaded Alt

The second Topic was an idea from Squelchy of Blame Squelchy and involved writing an open letter to, well, anyone, really, as long as it has to do with WoW.

Write an open letter to some aspect of World of Warcraft: a character, a raid boss, a non-combat pet, a profession, the sky’s the limit. What would you want to say to them, whether in a personal note, or something published as a letter to the editor?

Participating were:

Squelchy from Blame Squelchy

Pndrev from Primetime Casual

Casual Raider from The Casual Raider

Talfrund from Expedition Azeroth

Fealen from Cow and Bones

Chuck from Lord of Assets

Rakhman from Way of the Druid

For the upcoming week, we have a Shared Topic encouraging us to share our opinion about the, um, amount, of levels in Cataclysm. Were 5 levels enough? Would you prefer 10? Blog about it and report back with a link to your post in the Blog Azeroth thread!

And after a loooong dry spell, we have a flurry of topics lined up for the next few week! Check out:

What causes an encounter to click?
Digging archeology?
You’re Given Reign over the Design of WoW. What do you do?

Huge thanks to Ringo Flinthammer and Naithin for their Topic ideas! But even though we have a lot of upcoming topics, more suggestions are still welcome. Have a topic you’d like to see others write about? Post it in the Shared Topics forum at Blog Azeroth.