Guild Mum

A few weeks ago I saw a post on the realm forums for a sell-run to get the Starcaller title and the Rusted Proto-Drake from the Ulduar achievements. Before the Amani War Bears were removed from the game top guilds did sell runs but I could not afford one. I was very disappointed when they got taken out and every time I see one I feel a pang of regret.

I liked the sound of Starcaller Sephrenia, I fancied a few more achievements and I relished the thought of doing an amazing run with members of the top guild on our server. I really wanted to see how they perform and to have a reminder of my hardcore days.

Then I started worrying. I worried what people would think of me if I appeared with a title. I knew they would say I’d sold out, bought something me and my guild could not achieve. I actually think my guild COULD achieve it if we put our minds to it, but that ICC has a bigger pull. We managed to do a bear run shortly after they were removed. I didn’t want to miss that window of opportunity. I decided that I don’t care what people think. I’m starting a new RL job and probably won’t be able to raid so much for a while. I wanted to go out with a bang

This was a chance for me to have fun, experience a “pro” raid, get a new drake (I don’t need another 310 mount, but I am slowly collecting mounts, so another one won’t harm) and get a title I LOVE the sound of. I approached the guy organising it and was shocked at the price. To me it seemed a complete bargain. The title and the drake achievements would cost me a similar amount to buying the Travellers Tundra Mammoth. I asked if they would be OK going later in an evening - he said no problem - it usually only took them 2 hours! So we scheduled it for a few weeks off.

That evening came last night. It was the BEST WOW evening I’ve had in a LONG time. I’m still on a high today. I hardly slept last night because I was so hyped after it.

I was invited to the raid (they boosted 3 people at once), I joined their vent and was told to take a bike for the first boss. Argh - me, on a bike for Flame Leviathan! We set off. I was so scared. I didn’t want to be a complete failure. I didn’t want to let myself or the name of our guild down. Something went a bit wrong and we wiped. I think the person getting on the turrets fell off or something. Anyway, I was last to die, so felt OK about that. We tried again.

Achievement spam time! I got all achievements at once. I think we’d done one tower still up and had tries (very close ones too) with all towers active, but we were off

Woosh - off to Razorscale. This was an interesting one. Basically the dps had to hald back on killing the boss, but kill some of the dwarf spawns while the tanks gathered up the right ones for the achievement. This is where I saw my first glimpse of good stuff. The other priest in the raid was Mind Controlling the dark rune guardians so they could be healed and kept alive ready for the flame breath. It took a bit of doing and we got a bit close to the enrage timer, but we did it.

I had already got the Ignis and XT achievements, so they were easy for me and nothing new. I managed to move when I should, heal people and keep alive. On to the Iron Council. I had my Iron Boot Flask ready, but completely forgot to use it in the rush and excitement of it all but we killed them, in the right order. The quest item to open Algalon’s door dropped and the 3 boosted people rolled for it. I won!

We moved on to Algalon. This was something I had seen on my son’s computer, but felt absolutely amazing to actually be standing there.

It took us 3 or 4 tries to get him down. It was here that I really remembered my hardcore days. People were asking others why they failed at something, questioning if they had used the right abilities, asking if they had done the fight before or had just falled asleep. After one wipe I was told off for getting back slowly because we were on a timer. (Stop chatting Seph).

It was scary, intimidating and gave me such a warm fuzzy glow about my guild and raiding with the people in it. I think I did OK. I didn’t wipe us, I healed where I could. I went into portals when I had to and a few extra times too, but managed to heal through and get out again. And he went down!

I got my new name - Wheeee!

I’m not entirely sure I followed the fight and worked out what the others were doing, but then I do that a lot when I’m concentrating on healing. I’m not terribly aware of the roles and jobs others are playing. But it was a fun fight.

I think I will stop there for now. This post will be far too big if I carry on with the rest of the evening now, so I’ll leave it for a few days while I start my new job and continue another time….. brb