The Hunt for Shiny Helms

So the road my huntress Djul is on, the road to higher levels and shiny gear has brought her to a quest from Blizzard RP outfit hell. It is day five or more now and I have yet to decide which reward to claim as my own. The quest I am speaking of? Teron Gorefiend, I am...

This Shadowmoon Valley quest chain starts with A Ghost in the Machine for those of the Alliance and A Haunted History for those of the Horde. The end quest rewards some gorgeus helms worthy of any outfit collector's bagspace. Here are your rewards:

As usual I will give you the information on exact matches and similar items. Perhaps it will help you choose. Has not helped me though. *sighs* (As usual you can click on the images for a better view)

The name of this blue leather helm is Druidic Helmet of Second Sight. It will give your eyes a yellowish glow and need I mention the lovely antlers? Nope, I need not.
See, thing is, there is no other helm exactly like this one out there. The Onyxia Stormrage drops are yellow, and the only other blue helm, Moon-Crown Antlers from Old Hillsbrad, has golden antlers in stead of the dark ones. So, the Druidic Helmet is a one of a kind, as far as I can tell.







The Evoker's Helmet of Second Sight is another lovely addition for clothies. The model is the same as the Headdress of Alacrity and the good old Netherwind Crown - now also revamped as level 80 Onyxia drops. But the coloring of this particular helm is lovely, and I for one will be grabbing it for my mage as soon as I have the bagspace.









Plate wearers have their own mean looking helm to go for and its name is Overlord's Helmet of Second Sight. I would like to see this on a sexy orc soon...looks great. Did I mention mean? *grins*
You can get this helm in two colors: golden and the grey you see here. They drop in Molten Core, Karazhan and Ramparts.






Shamanistic Helmet of Second Sight is another one of those spaced out looking helms.
It is perfect for people with a taste for the metallic, harsher look.
An exact match to this one drops in the Underbog and is called Headdress of the Tides. Other models have different colorings of the gem and drop from Onyxia or Doomwalker in Shadowmoon Valley. You can also buy one for Badges of Justice in Shattrath or if you are lucky you can pick up the BoE rare item that is the Lightning Crown.
I rather like this one, it's simple yet imposing. But alas, not the thing for my huntress. Which brings me to the last two helms.





Stalker's Helmet of Second Sight! *sighs*
So much to say about this mail crafted beauty. First of all it's awesome. Secondly it is shaped like a drake head, which again makes it awesome.
Thirdly it shares the looks and colorings with Maulgar's Warhelm from Gruul's Lair. It also shares the model with the slightly purple colored Dragonstalker's Helmet from Onyxia and the green Dream-Wing Helm from Shadow Labyrinth. Go farm!

And it is the helm of choice for my hunter, so why am I having so much trouble? Let me show you the last helm before I start my rant.




It's mean, it's evil, it's Stealther's Helmet of Second Sight.
And it is also leather and will give you those oh-so-evil looking red eyes.
Exact matches out there are Cowl of Defiance from Karazhan, and Cowl of Nature's Breath and Malefic Mask of the Shadows from Gruul's Lair.
From Onyxia again you can get the red version of this and there is also a blue one out there called Cowl of the Guiltless which can be found in the Black Morass. All are nice really.





Now do you see my dilemma? As a mail wearer I am pretty much able to pick and choose any helm on the list. And as I am not overly attatched to the rule of wearing class items only and I don't really care much about the usefulness of the items, I am having a terrible time deciding.

The obvious choice is the Stalker's Helm. It's great, it looks great and will match Djul's red set well. However, my huntress also has an extensive collection of black outfits for which the Stealther's Helmet would be a great addition. Then there is the Druidic Helmet and my obsession for exclusive items...

As I am not planning on leveling another class that will give me this choice ever again, it is important for me to pick the right helm now. *feels the pressure* So what do I choose? I have returned to Zorus the Judicator a million times. I am looking at him now even. I have asked friends for advice, I have slept on it. And yet...every time I am about to pick one, I cannot! *shakes her head*


What do you wear?

Moving servers - tips and farewells.

Hi! Moving servers can be very stressful, especially when you have a ton of luggage and a desire to take everything you own with you. *laughs*
For a person like myself with countless alts working full time to collect, trade and wear an insane ammount of clothes, weapons and materials (in addition to a three tab packed guild bank) moving has seemed an impossible task.
After months of thinking and weeks of preparation I arrived at my new home.

So what can I share about all this?
*casts Arcane Intellect and digs into her faulty mage memory*

Server choice and name change:
Everyone will tell you to pick and check the servers first. Well...they are almost right.
If your character's name is important, your first step, however, is to check the avaliability of your name on the servers of your interest. I for instance was not willing to change Hanuma's name, not even for the best realm.
My suggestion would be to simply pick a general direction - normal/rp/rppvp/pvp - and check your name avaliability.

If the realm is more important to you, skip step one and read up on what you have to choose from.
Visit the forums and make an alt. I made four...
Cover some ground, talk to people and listen (monitor the channels, preferably at different times of the day) to get a feel of a server's rythm. This is really important because who says what and how in the different channels will tell you a lot about the composition of the server itself. But don't be impossible to please. The /Trade will most likely be a bit of a mess during rush hour even on the best of realms.

Find people to roleplay with, ask about what the raiding is like, what classes are desireable, what guilds are good and so on. What you ask depends on what is important to you.

Another point to consider is the server population. What is the Alliance-Horde ratio? How large or small is the population? What age groups are best represented?
Do not be afraid to ask questions, just remember not to smother people with them.

Shinies:
Going off on your own can be costly. So, do you know what the economies on your candidate realms are like?
Honestly, any move consideration should start at the auction house. Go through prices of items you buy and sell. See what items are valued on your new server and compare. Know what you are going to, as you will not be able to return.

When it comes to materials you already have on you, you should consider where it is most profitable for you to sell them. Some things might give you a good price on your current server, while others might be worth bringing along. Converting your materials or items into gold for the move and buying them cheaply on the other side can save you a lot of bagspace and even make you some shinies. But remember that you can only tranfer 20 ooo gold per character!

'Slight' bagspace issue?
*puppy eyes*
If you have a huge ammount of soulbound items, you should check out the price and rarity of these. Believe me, it's time well spent.
If you are carrying something that can easily be crafted by any lower level profession, bought or farmed, you are wasting bagspace. However, throwing out items such as Yellow Brewfest Stein will mean you losing these items forever, while others like Old Crafty might simply be very hard to come by again. Think about what you need for your character, what you cannot do without and get rid of the rest.
Remember that moving is also about a fresh start. When it came to my wardrobe I didn't quite think like that, but I see now that getting rid of some items has given me the space to try new things and combine my old things better.

Still, invest in bags. Regret is one of the worst feelings and I would rather put in some gold in more bagspace than regret leaving something behind. 20 slot bags are reasonably priced these days, and if you like me have been blessed with some amazing friends those bags might even be free. Thank you, Graven.

Speaking of... Give away things you feel someone will appreciate. Not everything is about the gold or collecting. Make someone happy. :)

Questions you should ask yourself:
Does the new realm meet needs that are not covered on your current one? What exactly are you looking for and can you find it there?
Do you know someone there? Though the world on your new server may look like the old one, chances are it is not, and that brings me to the next point.

New friends:
If you are moving by yourself it is easy to feel isolated, even in crowded Dalaran. Someone to show you around is always nice so socialise! And cynical as it may be, hold on to those tanks and healers you meet. Same goes for people you enjoy roleplaying with. I for instance had not expexted PvE to be such a challenge at my new home, but was lucky to keep those good players around me and am now happy to be in a guild that appreciates this part of the game the same way I do.

Reflect:
In the end, I don't miss my things at all compared to the wonderful people I have left behind. Pixels are nothing without the people, so consider your choices for leaving. And if you still want to move, take some time to remember what you've experienced so far and think about what you want to do differently this time around.

Good luck and safe journey!




Goodbyes:
Although I will be visiting you all often, I want to take this opportunity to thank my TVC friends.



Special goodbye hugs go out to the old King's Light crew. Thank you for taking me in and sharing some great laughs and raid time with me. HARR!


Zeph, I am so glad we ran into eachother in Ramparts and wish you all the best on your old and new servers.


Dear Sondré and Syn, I regret never being a part of your amazing Crescent Moon. Syn thank you for all the laughs and talks. Sondré, thank you for enduring my endless display of alts and outfits the first day we met and for still wanting to talk to me after!

G. and Inca: I wish you both the best and hope we can keep in touch.
Some old friends that are around no more: Pt, Night and Theo... You are missed.
Some new friends that will be left behind: Kim, Lnt, Gandor, Zopy, Shud and more. It has been a pleasure.




To the CBT Co.: I will never forget the exploring adventures across Azeroth and Outland and my first proper attempt at RP. Thanks for the patience, understanding and friendship. Wish you nothing but the best. Perhaps our paths cross again.





Sumec, keep doing your thing bear! I will miss you loads and congrats on passing the 9k achievement point mark! Keep that cave in Feralas clean and a fire lit so I can find my way. Also, watch out for that robe for me, will you? You know which one I mean..









My longest ingame friends, Gruffk and Ranathash; thanks for saving me in Stranglethorn Vale that day! I am glad we met and looking forward to seeing more of you irl. Rem, sorry we won't be doing heroics any more, come visit soon!






To my "current" guild, Dagor Dagorath:
May you continue to enjoy your game and prosper. Seen as some of you are my neighbors here in the real world, I feel kind of silly saying goodbye, but I have to.
Thank you for having me. Being a part of your guild has been an honor.
I will miss the easy access to enchanters, tailors, leatherworkers, alchemists, engineers.. *laughs* Who will DE my stuff now, Graven? And open my lockboxes, Elira? Just kidding. ;)
Thank you Dagor!

M. and Z. CONGRATULATIONS! *cheers*


Edit: This was written some time back and never published. But I feel it should be out there none the less...

An Awfully Overdue Post & Explanation

.
This morning, while doing the dishes I started watching the movie Julie & Julia. Turns out it's among other things about a woman that starts blogging and by the time the movie was over my bad conscience had crept up on me. I have neglected this.
The long list of already started but never finished posts stared at me accusingly as I logged in here, telling me I abondoned it.

My reasons? Excuses...?

In the real world, my cat died. I am not writing this to make you feel bad for me. I'm ok. It was his time. But I miss him. He was so smart and such a good listener...he demanded hours of cuddles, scratching and love. And if you did not feed him he would bite your toes till you did. *smiles* A good cat, he was...

Then I lost the will and focus. About a month ago, I changed servers, which left my extensive collection of rp clothes and my army of lovely clad ladies somewhat reduced. I no longer had the support system of tailors and people willing to follow me into the depths of Azeroth for that one little item that would make that specific outfit perfect. And being the insane perfectionist that I am, I put it off. All or nothing, right?

Building a base at my newfound home has taken a bit, but it's stabilizing now. Between joining a guild to start doing what I've missed (PvE), managing my bank guild and in addition being the co-creator of a third guild, there was no time.

And then there were the holidays, Hallow's End being my favourite, I did nothing but play and trick or treat on every single character I have. Sadly no horse for me this year either.

But this movie jolted me back to finally log into this blog and decide that it might just be time again.

So, though I will be busy today, I give you my word that more will be coming very soon. Especially since I picked up the Elegant Robes on the AH a few weeks ago at bargain price and finally beat Ras Frostwhisper in Sholomance enough times for him to surrender Alanna's Embrace to my care. Also especially since I am starting to replace all of my 20 slot bags with 22 slots to make room for more awesome.
(I am currently forced to carry all of my 44 non-set robes in my bags as my bank is filled up with other rp items *sighs*)

*begs forgiveness for her abandonment*

PS! Watch Julie & Julia. It's a nice movie.

Your absent minded mage...

Hanuma