Light and Magic; Horns, Hooves, and Tails

What was that I said about not making any more Allied Races alts unless I liked their Heritage Armor enough to level from scratch for it?

Well, I’m not all that keen on the Lightforged Draenei Heritage Armor — not for a Mage, at least — but I just haven’t been able to get the notion of having a Lightforged Draenei among the Minor Mages out of my head.

Meet Krystaliza.

I don’t know much about who she is, other than that she is a long-lost relative of Kaprikka. As far as Kaprikka was aware, all of her progenitors had perished in one Legion attack or another by the time the Draenei arrived on Draenor; her parents, too, were killed in the Orcish rampage. I’m not sure at quite what point in the 25000 years of the Draenei’s flight from Kil’jaeden that Xe’ra arrived and took those who wished to follow her off in the Xenedar, so I don’t know exactly how many generations back Krystaliza is a sister of one of Kaprikka’s ancestors — but for each of them to find that they do, in fact, have a blood relative still living was a delightful shock.

Part of my desire to have this character on my roster came from wanting to pair the Lightforged tabard with the Draenic Silk Robes, as seen above.

Part of it comes from a couple of occasions when I’ve made a white and gold outfit and wished that I had a blonde Lightforged Draenei to model it in the Dressing Room.

And part of it is that with the Orb of Deception, a Lightforged Draenei can become a Highmountain Tauren (or a Gnome can be a Mulgore Tauren), thereby allowing me to pretend — for five minutes at a time, at least — that I have Tauren Mages!


Come on, Blizzard! Some of the Crazed Mages in Blackrock Caverns are Tauren, and they’ve been in the game since Cataclysm! Because they use ice and fire magic already, I think that Tauren becoming Mages as a divergence from Shamanism could be just as valid as Tauren becoming Priests and Paladins as a divergence from Druidism.
But as much as I’d like this to happen, it’s not likely to happen. I’ll just go sit in the corner with the folks who really really want to play Gnome or Night Elf Paladins…

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Kamalia’s Classic Crew

Will I ever do more with any of these characters than enter the world and maybe manage to get through the 1-5 zone and out to their racial capital city? Realistically speaking, probably not. Nevertheless, the collector in me still wanted to have a complete set of Classic Classes.

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For the Alliance! For the Horde!

For the Alliance!

Mountainsage Hood, Primal Mooncloth Shoulders, Whispering Tunic, Bridenbrad’s Sash, Leggings of the Night Sky, Exiled Dabbler’s Gloves, Faith Healer’s Boots*, Bone Witch’s Drape, Replica Lion’s Fang, Divine Companion, Stormwind Tabard

Kodo-Repellant Shoulders, Silksand Wraps, Belt of Unsolvable Problems, Gaze Dreamer Pants, Gloves of Rapid Evolution, Ritual Sandals, Bloodpetal Cloak, Orange Mageweave Shirt, Excavation Rod*, Everglow Lantern*, Ironforge Tabard

Eye of Flame, Orchid Amice*, Cat Lover’s Vest, Dreamer’s Belt, Darkweave Breeches, Gossamer Gloves + Courier’s Wraps, Elegant Boots, Staff of Dominance, Gnomeregan Tabard

Buoyant Shoulderpads, Replica Sorcerer’s Robes, Belt of False Promises, Gandling’s Gloves, Footfalls of Memories, Mok’Morokk’s Beat Stick, Darnassus Tabard

Ceremonial Shoulderpads of Karabor, Astralaan Robe, Ceremonial Sash of Karabor, Wild Gladiator’s Gloves of Prowess, Staff of the Redeemer, Exodar Tabard & Mantle

Lord Walden’s Top Hat, Enumerated Shoulderpads, Sorcerer Drape, Juju Belt, Godfrey’s Britches, Fel-Infused Grips, Woolen Boots, Staff of Deserved Tranquility, Gilneas Tabard

Arcane Pads, Blue Linen Robe, Sorcerer Sash, Heavy Linen Gloves, Tushui Tabard

~*~*~

For the Horde!

Circle of Flame, Simple Blouse, Aboriginal Sash, Ritual Leggings, Ritual Gloves + Cuffs of Black Elements, Kurkenstoks, Thaumaturgist Staff, Orgrimmar Tabard

Stonecloth Epaulets, Aboriginal Robe, Crimson Silk Belt, Ritual Gloves + Magiskull Cuffs, Griftah’s Authentic Troll Shoes, Staff of Firey Fate, Darkspear Tabard

Nimar’s Tribal Headdress, Silksand Shoulder Pads, Native Robe, Wise Man’s Belt, Heavy Linen Gloves + Featherbead Bracers*, Staff of Feral Furies, Thunder Bluff Tabard

Enumerated Shoulderpads, Mindwrack Robes, Clutch of Andros*, Cobalt-Threaded Gloves, Apprentice Boots, Wand of Qiraji Nobility, Light-Imbued Lantern, Undercity Tabard & Mantle

Sanctified Bloodmage Shoulderpads, Silvermoon Robes, Black Belt of Knowledge, Primal Combatant’s Gloves of Prowess, Sorcerer Slippers, Mantle of Silvermoon, Book of Highborne Hymns, Silvermoon City Tabard

Embersilk Tunic Cord & Leggings, Phoenix Gloves, Ritual Sandals, Spider Frier, Kobold Candle, Bilgewater Cartel Tabard

Exquisite Sunderseer Mantle, Red Linen Robe, Apothecary’s Waistband, Ritual Gloves, Apprentice Boots, Renzithen’s Dusty Cloak, Wand of Separation, Seer’s Fine Stein, Huojin Tabard

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pink Gnomes running

Though Kelilla had heard of the mass Gnome run from Gnomeregan to Booty Bay that had been occurring in mid-October for the past several years, she had never yet done it herself. The more she heard about it, though, the more interested she became in participating, so she spent the last year training for it. Finally, the day of the great race arrived…

I did the run twice: first with a new character created on Scarlet Crusade to join one of the official Running of the Gnomes guilds and be part of the “real thing” event, then again with Kelilla. To try to make my character stand out a bit, I gave her the “old” face and took her to the barbershop in Ironforge to get the “punky” haircut. I was rather delighted, however, to find someone else who had also chosen the “old” face!

I made this new Gnome a Priest because healing is the goal of the “real thing” event and because I thought the white and light blue robes of a Priest would look nice with the pink tabard and shirt.

Kelilla got into the spirit, too, dyeing her hair pink and changing her usual green SAFE uniform for a red equivalent.

This post is mostly screenshots, so click through the cut to

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Signature Outfits of the Minor Mages

A non-comprehensive collection of just the best Transmogrification Kits that I have made for the Minor Mages.

Alliance Core Races: Dwarf, Gnome, Night Elf, Draenei, Worgen, Tushui Pandaren
Horde Core Races: Forsaken, Troll, Orc, Goblin, Huojin Pandaren
Alliance Allied Races: Lightforged Draenei, Dark Iron Dwarf, Mechagnome
Horde Allied Races: Nightborne, Mag’har Orc, Zandalari Troll, Vulpera

Items that are no longer obtainable are marked with an asterisk (*).

~*~*~

Alliance Core Races: Dwarf, Gnome, Night Elf, Draenei, Worgen, Tushui Pandaren

~*~*~

Bronzebeard Firebrand

Kodo-Repellant Shoulders, Silksand Wraps, Belt of Unsolvable Problems, Gaze Dreamer Pants, Gloves of Rapid Evolution, Ritual Sandals, Bloodpetal Cloak, Orange Mageweave Shirt, Excavation Rod*, Everglow Lantern*
I couldn’t find a lot in orange, to go with the Ironforge Tabard, for a low-level character. This combination of oranges, browns, and golds works quite nicely, though.

Country Girl

Blue Overalls, Willow Belt, Mangy Claw Mitts, Trogg-Slayer Boots, Seer’s Fine Stein, Bright Yellow Shirt
A plain and simple look for a quiet, unassuming girl… but don’t make the mistake of underestimating her.

Brewfest Dirndl

Brewfest Dress, Ritual Gloves + Ritual Bands, Brewfest Slippers, Wand of Separation, Seer’s Fine Stein
It’s Brewfest! Let’s dance some polkas!
I think that maybe “dirndl” isn’t actually the correct name for this style of folk dress, but I’m not sure what the correct name is.

~*~*~

Gnomeregan Artificer

Eye of Flame, Orchid Amice*, Cat Lover’s Vest, Dreamer’s Belt, Darkweave Breeches, Gossamer Gloves + Courier’s Wraps, Elegant Boots, Staff of Dominance, Gnomeregan Tabard

S.A.F.E. Operative


Swoop-Tail Shoulders, Shimmering set, Jessera’s Fungus-Lined Cuffs, Green Linen Shirt
The Fel-Proof Goggles complete the look; I just haven’t gotten around to taking some new screenshots that include them.

Gnomeregan Runner

Crimson Tunic*, Captain Sanders’ Sash, Crimson Silk Pantaloons, Rotting Handwraps + Jessera’s Fungus Lined Cuffs, Warm Red Woolen Socks
A variation on Kelilla’s signature outfit worn while participating in the Great Gnomeregan Race.

Father Winter’s Helper

Red Winter Hat & Red Winter Clothes with Rotting Handwraps + Jessera’s Fungus Lined Cuffs, Warm Red Woolen Socks, Green Linen Shirt, and Thaumaturgist Staff/Green Winter Hat & Green Winter Clothes with Shimmering bracers gloves & boots, Red Linen Shirt, and Whelp Keeper’s Staff
Who else but a Gnome to show off the best cloth accessories to wear with the Winter Clothes?
I am rather fond of the effect created by using the contrasting colored shirt.

Darkmoon Magician



Elder’s hat vest belt & pants, Silk Mantle of Gamn*, Shimmering gloves & boots, Aurora bracers, Cloak of the Darkmoon Faire, Green Holiday Shirt, Greater Magic Wand, Spellbinder Orb
Use the Gossamer shoulderpads to retain the white look of the Silk Mantle of Gamn, or use the Elder’s or Hibernal shoulders or the Slavehandler Amice to match the greens and purples.

Darkmoon Sleight-of-Hand

Elder Wizard’s Mantle, Cat Lover’s Vest, Nesingwary’s Sash, Genavie’s Leggings, Shimmering Gloves, Duskwoven Sandals, Tuxedo Shirt, Cloak of the Darkmoon Faire, Enchanted Azsharite Felbane Staff*
If you’re going to wear the Darkmoon Top Hat to get that sweet 10% XP and rep buff, you might as well own the look.
Trying for a stage magician sort of look here. I almost didn’t use any shoulders with this kit, until I saw how nicely these ones complemented the cloak.
A lookalike of the staff is the Rod of the Void Caller, a quest reward from Hellfire Peninsula. For a low-level character, the Magician Staff would also work nicely.

Keeper of the Fens

Enumerated Shoulderpads, Fen Keeper’s Robe*, Shimmering Sash, Heavy Linen Gloves + Jessera’s Fungus Lined Cuffs, Bright Boots, Arcane Staff*, Gilnean Adventurer’s Shirt
This lovely recolor of the Night Elf Druid starter robe was awarded from the pre-Cataclysm version of Rethiel the Greenwarden’s quest chain in the Wetlands. The Spellbinder Robe could be used for a similar look.

Whitemane’s Power


Whitemane’s Chapeau*/Ata’mal Crown, Silk Mantle of Gamn*, Robe of Power, Captain Sanders’ Sash/Apothecary’s Waistband, Heavy Linen Gloves, Shimmering/Ivycloth Boots
The Red Pointy Hat or Crimson Felt Hat would also work well with this set.
The Gossamer shoulders are a suitable alternate for the Silk Mantle of Gamn.

~*~*~

Daughter of the Stars


Buoyant Shoulderpads, Replica Sorcerer’s Robes, Belt of False Promises, Gandling’s Gloves, Footfalls of Memories, Mok’Morokk’s Beat Stick, Darnassus Tabard
I wanted to use Queen Azshara’s Dressing Gown for this outfit, but even though the actual item is equippable at level 51, which would suggest that it should be Moggable by characters in the Classic level bracket, the appearance requires level 78 to use because it is a lookalike of the Naxx 25 Mage tier chest 😦

With a high-level character, I’d probably use the Spire of Defiance for this kit.

Elune’s Bard



Moonpriest’s Vestments with Elune’s Wrath and Winterborn Harp
This is a perfect outfit for Keriluna’s backstory!

Druid of the Ley

Fallen Apprentice’s Robe, Belt of False Promises, Ritual Gloves + Greenweave Bracers, Ritual Stopper’s Slippers, Darnassus Doublet, Scepter of Celebras*
I chose this robe for my Night Elf Mage because is the same style as that worn by a newly-created Night Elf Druid — though before she became a Mage, Keriluna was neither a Druid nor a Priestess, but a Bard.

Stillpine Interpreter

Feline Mantle, Fur Covered Robe, Wizard’s Belt, Woolgathering Gloves, Ritual Stopper’s Slippers, Squire’s Shirt
It was delightfully easy to put together a nice low-level Transmogrification kit to go with this beautiful and unique starting zone quest reward robe.

Deep Purple Dreams

Feline Mantle, Cat Lover’s Vest, Wizard’s Belt, Darkweave Breeches, Woolgathering Gloves, Ritual Stopper’s Slippers
I love the deep purple color of this chestpiece and these pants, so naturally I had to use them together!

Purple Moonlight

Crown of Good Fortune, Festive Purple Dress, Replica Magister’s Gloves, Kurkenstoks, Mok’Morokk’s Beat Stick
This staff pulls together the silvery blue of the flowers and the purple of the dress quite nicely.

Miss Lorrayne

Hat of the Youngest Sister, Deadwalker Mantle*, Tranquil Spiritbind Robes, Belt of False Promises, Cobalt-Threaded Gloves + Paper Roll Bracers, Suspicious Slippers, Chillwind Staff
The Tainted Forest near Surwich was the most Bradensbrook-like place this lowbie character could find for her Crooked Tree kit.

~*~*~

Child of the Exodus



Ceremonial Shoulderpads of Karabor, Astralaan Robe, Ceremonial Sash of Karabor, Wild Gladiator’s Gloves of Prowess, Exodar tabard & cloak, Staff of the Redeemer
I designed this kit for the “Faction Pride” theme at the Trial of Style; it placed third.
Kaprikka was born on Draenor, in the region called Farahlon, in the first century after the Draenei settled there; she is between 200 and 250 years old. She has no living relatives who remember Argus; her parents were also born on worlds on which the Draenei had temporarily settled, and their progenitors have all perished in the course of the countless times that the Draenei have been found by the Legion.

Void-touched


Shadowmoon Shoulderguards, Fur Covered Robe, Hexweave Belt (2-655), Grips of the Void + Crystalweave Bracers, Waterfall Drape, Squire’s Shirt, Staff of the Redeemer
This kit came about because I wanted to use the stage 2 version of the Hexweave Belt — but not with its own robe — and thought it might be a good alternate belt for the Shadowmoon set. It is, but I’m not really all that fond of the Shadowmoon robe, so I looked for other robes I already owned that looked good with the combination of the Hexweave belt and Shadowmoon shoulders. It seemed appropriate that this classically Draenei-styled robe from Azuremyst Isle questing looked the nicest overall! After I’d decided to use this robe, it only seemed right to make the outfit with Kaprikka.

Space Opera Jumpsuit

Shoulderwraps of the Enthralled, Vindicator Tunic Belt & Pants, Manaspark Gloves, Enumerated Sandals, Lavender Mageweave Shirt, Staff of the Skymagi
The Vindicator set has always made me think of the jumpsuits worn by spaceship occupants in stories from the Golden Age of early science fiction.
Races that cannot wear invisiboots might like to use the Vindicator boots or the Ethereal Boots of the Skystrider that match the gloves.

Aldor Covenant

Pauldrons & Vestments of the Aldor, Nethershard Girdle, Gloves of the Fallen Wizard, Staff of the Unknown Road, Silver Covenant Tabard
Why the Silver Covenant NPCs are wearing Mage T4 raiment, I don’t know. But because they are, and because the Aldor are a Draenei faction, and because she is Draenei, Kaprikka insisted upon dressing like the Silver Covenant NPCs for her Silver Covenant set rather than coming up with something more original.
Kaprikka chose this hairstyle to go with this set in honor of her hero/role-model concerning all things Draenei and Mage-ical, Millya.

Soulmate Searching


Mantle of the Locusts, Soulcloth Vest, Wizard’s Belt, Titan-Forged Cloth Leggings of Salvation, Wraps of the Persecuted, Shattrath Jumpers, White Swashbuckler’s Shirt, Staff of the Skymagi
Some years ago, Shoryl of Dwarven District started a Transmogrification meme called “Mog Busting”. Though it was a fantastic idea, it sadly fizzled out after only a few rounds. While it was going, however, Kaprikka was lucky enough to have a beautiful dating outfit designed for her by Effraeti.

Soulspark

Cloudscorcher Cowl, Angkhal Amice, Soulcloth Vest, Wizard’s Belt, Manaspark Gloves, Cerulean Filigreed Doublet, Staff of the Redeemer
This hat looks best, I think, on white-haired Draenei and (naturally) Pandaren.

Soulwind

Netherwind Crown, Shoulderwraps of the Enthralled, Soulcloth Vest, High Councillor’s Sash, Darkweave Breeches, Sage’s Gloves + Crystalweave Bracers, Enumerated Sandals, White Swashbuckler’s Shirt, Staff of Divine Infusion
The first outfit I created for Kaprikka using the Soulcloth Vest.

White Wizard

Aurora Mantle, Astral Knot Robe*, Dawnspire Cord, Zaetar’s Gloves, Silky Spider Cape, Nolkai’s Lantern
The Astral Knot Robe was awarded from a pre-Cataclysm Mage class quest. The Gossamer or Aurora Robes may be used for a similar effect.

Hand of Destiny



Feline Mantle, Robe of the Dragon Slayer, Cincture of Woven Reeds, Scholar’s Gloves, Staff of the Royal Wizard, Tabard of the Hand
The unique Tabard of the Hand is awarded only to Draenei characters at the completion of the Bloodmyst Isle storyline, when they are acclaimed as revered heroes of the Hand of Argus. This outfit contains only items that a Draenei Mage could reasonably expect to be able to obtain by about the same time that she completes the Bloodmyst Isle storyline and receives the Tabard of the Hand, thus allowing her to make a complete, reasonably well-coordinated outfit to wear with her new tabard almost immediately.

Sagefish

Sage’s set with Aurora shoulders
What Draenei can wear this set and not think of Diktynna and the Red Snappers?

~*~*~

Gilneas Vogue

Lord Walden’s Top Hat, Enumerated Shoulderpads, Sorcerer Drape, Juju Belt, Godfrey’s Britches, Fel-Infused Grips, Woolen Boots, Staff of Deserved Tranquility, Gilneas Tabard

Role Model


Seer’s Padded Armor, Nightwind Belt, Simple Kilt, Heavy Linen Gloves + Sage’s Bracers, Sandals of the Neverending Bridge
Motherhood is a prominent feature of Kymberlea’s RP story, so I made her a “Mom” outfit.
I like this style of bracers because they are so small and also because from certain angles they look sort of like a wristwatch.

Gilnean Bride


Crown of Prosperity, Noblewoman’s Finery & Skirt, Gloves of the Messiah, Sandals of Ritual
Kymberlea and her husband Bertie are middle-class tradespeople, so they probably would have been married in a smaller church in their own neighborhood rather than in the Cathedral itself — but of course in the abbreviated version of Gilneas City that exists in the game world, the Cathedral is all there is.
She might still have worn this clothing, though — it would be her Best Dress, not her everyday garb. The dress has elbow-length sleeves that are a bit awkward to work with, but fortunately these AQ40 gloves are a decent match for the color.

~*~*~

Tushui Wanderer

Arcane Pads, Blue Linen Robe, Sorcerer Sash, Heavy Linen Gloves, Tushui Tabard
My original version of this outfit used the Feline Mantle, but now that Transmogrification allows any items up to the cap of one’s current level bracket, I can use some fancier shoulders!
I haven’t listed any boots because on a Pandaren, they won’t be visible anyway. If you want to support the Tushui as a character of another race, try the Kurkenstoks.

~*~*~

Horde Core Races: Forsaken, Troll, Orc, Goblin, Huojin Pandaren

~*~*~

Lordaeron, Lost




Azure Silk Hood, Enumerated Shoulderpads, Mindwrack Robes, Clutch of Andros*, Cobalt-Threaded Gloves, Apprentice Boots, Mantle of Undercity, Undercity Tabard, Wand of Qiraji Nobility, Light-Imbued Lantern
In the interest of faction parity, here is an outfit for the other racial capital city that was lost at the outset of Battle for Azeroth. I have never liked Undercity, though, so the chances of me asking Zidormi to turn back time in Tirisfal Glades are quite small indeed.

Royal Apothecary

Black Velvet Robes, Belt of Arugal*/Sash of Whispered Secrets, Black Mageweave Gloves, Apprentice Boots, Chillwind Staff
The NPC Royal Apothecary Society members are wearing the mail Infantry Belt, so I could only match the colour, not the style.

Bride of Arugal

Ghostly Mantle*, Robes of Arugal, Belt of Arugal*/Sash of Whispered Secrets, Black Mageweave Gloves, Apprentice Boots, Light-Imbued Lantern
Another classic set for a Forsaken.
The Shadow Council Mantle works very well with this robe.

Argent Apothecary


Simple Glasses, Argent Shoulders, Runecloth Robe, Argent Crusader’s Tabard, Black Mageweave Gloves, Celestial Observer’s Buckle, Apprentice Boots, Touch of Light + Tears of Heaven

Emerald Enchantress

Watcher’s cap & shoulders, Hinott’s Outer Robe, Keyton’s Sash, Brewer’s Gloves*, Slippers of Unturned Loyalties, Judkins’ Staff
The irony of using vibrant, uncontrolled life as the backdrop for an ensemble worn by an undead did not escape me.

Nostalgia-Tinted

Bronze-Tinted Sunglasses, Durable Shoulders, Sacrificial Robes*, Gossamer Belt & Gloves, Watched Watcher’s Slippers, Nimboya’s Mystical Staff*
In her first incarnation as a Warlock named Kaprikka — before I decided that a) I wanted my “one of each race” characters to all be Mages and b) that particular name really ought to belong to a Draenei — Kivrinne was one of my very earliest alts — even earlier than Kaelinda. Thus, she felt that she of all characters definitely deserved to look at Azeroth through bronze-tinted lenses.
These robes were originally obtained as a rare drop from the boss mob in the Tower of Ilgalar in Redridge Mountains. Since Cataclysm, Horde characters have been able to get them as the Ale-Soaked Robes from the most entertaining quest chain in Silverpine Forest.

Forgotten Potpourri

Crown of Dark Blossoms, Royal Amice, Robes of the Honorable, Master’s Belt, Black Mageweave Gloves, Apprentice Boots, Spellcrafter Wand*, Penelope’s Rose*
When the Lunar Festival flower crowns debuted, I commented that this coloration of the flower crown was just right for gloomy folks like Death Knights and Forsaken. After stumbling across this combo of flower crown and robe while exploring ideas for another character, I decided I ought to use it for my Forsaken, instead.

~*~*~

Darkspear Arcanital

Stonecloth Epaulets, Aboriginal Robe, Crimson Silk Belt, Ritual Gloves + Magiskull Cuffs, Griftah’s Authentic Troll Shoes, Staff of Firey Fate, Darkspear Tabard

Wild Magic

Zealot’s Robe*/Brightcloth Robe, Willow Belt, Native Pants, Flutterer Silk Handwraps + Firwillow Wristbands*/Goldenvine Wraps, Cookie’s Table Cloth, Resurgence Rod*/Ogre Mage Staff
Despite the hardships that the Darkspear Trolls suffered during her childhood and teenage years, Kiki’maia retains a bright, optimistic personality, which she expresses with a love of bright, cheerful colors.

Red Blood, Blue Blood

Double-Stitched Woolen Shoulders, Sanguine Robe, Wise Man’s Belt, Red Silk Trousers, Heavy Linen Gloves + Seer’s Cuffs, Sen’jin Doublet
Races that wear shoes might want some blue boots, such as the Cushy Cenarion Walkers.

Big Voodoo Ma’da

Dragonskin Cowl*, Voodoo Mantle*, Elder’s Robe, Stonecloth Britches, Jumanza Grips, Staff of Orgrimmar*
The leather Big Voodoo Robe is identical to the cloth Elder’s Robe.

Troll Action Battle Princess




Fen Spirit Headdress, Fen Spirit Mantle, Cloak of Everburning Knowledge, any sleeveless tunic, Talanji’s Expedition Tabard, Loa Speaker’s Cuffs, Sash of the Chosen Dead, Soothsayer’s Kilt, Warmongering Combatant’s Battle Staff

~*~*~

Orgrimmar Flamecaster

Circle of Flame, Geomancer’s Spaulders, Sanguine Robe, Aboriginal Sash, Ritual Leggings, Ritual Gloves + Cuffs of Black Elements, Kurkenstoks, Orgrimmar Tabard, Carved Ashwood Stick

Orgrimmar Fireweaver

Circle of Flame, Simple Blouse, Aboriginal Sash, Ritual Leggings, Ritual Gloves + Cuffs of Black Elements, Kurkenstoks, Thaumaturgist Staff, Orgrimmar Tabard

Mama Frostwolf


Stonecloth Epaulets, Mystic’s Robe, Willow Belt/Joanna’s Sash, Tangled Thread Gloves, Pagan Shoes, Thug Shirt*
I like to use a shirt with this robe style because the bodice is a little too skimpy for my taste; the Squire’s Shirt would probably also work well with this coloration of the robe.

Great-Mother Winter

Stonecloth Epaulets, Beaded Robe, Meat Packer Ribbon, Wet Work Gloves, Bloodcup Slippers, Red Linen Shirt
“But did you ever in your life/Know that [Great-Father Winter] had a wife?”
How Mrs Claus Saved Christmas, by Phyllis McGinley, is one of those classic stories that we read aloud every Christmas Eve in my family. It’s out of print, but I think it might be public domain by now, so perhaps you can find the text floating around the internet somewhere.

Wise Woman

Resilient Cap, Stonecloth Epaulets, Ancestral Robe, Willow Belt, Tangled Thread Gloves, Pagan Shoes, Bristlebark Cape, Apprentice’s Shirt
Although I modeled this outfit on a Human, a Forsaken, and a Worgen for Round 1 of Mog Madness, it was much more practical to make it in-game with Kenosha because the Ancestral Robe typically sells for sky-high prices and I had already obtained one for her. I will switch to the brown Outlander’s Pauldrons if and when Kenosha gets leveled up enough to wear them. Until then, I probably will not display the hood.

~*~*~

Bilgewater BOOM!

Embersilk Tunic Cord & Leggings, Phoenix Gloves, Ritual Sandals, Spider Frier, Kobold Candle, Bilgewater Cartel Tabard

Sepia Dreams

Durable Tunic, Dreamer’s Belt, Gaze Dreamer Pants, Phoenix Gloves, S.B.R.B. Prototype 1, Spellcrafter Wand*, Out-of-Date Manual
I like this chestpiece style for my Goblin because it is worn by the captains and first officers of the zeppelins that run between Orgrimmar, Undercity, and Grom’gol. Someday, perhaps I will make outfits for Kermione using each of the colors of this handsome tunic.

Portal Supervisor


Skein Woven Mantle, Wild Combatant’s Silk Robe, Breezebinder Handwraps, Quet’zal’s Crackling Cord (LFR), Slippers of Serenity, Portal Ripper’s Staff

Treasure Goblin

Enmity Hood, Treasure Nabbin’ Bag, Gray Woolen Robe, Moonsole Slippers, Garden Pitchfork

~*~*~

Huojin Wanderer


Exquisite Sunderseer Mantle, Red Linen Robe, Apothecary’s Waistband, Ritual Gloves, Apprentice Boots, Renzithen’s Dusty Cloak, Wand of Separation, Seer’s Fine Stein, Huojin Tabard
This outfit isn’t quite “fresh off the balloon” because it uses some Ghostlands quest rewards.

Huojin Apothecary

Exquisite Sunderseer Mantle, Apothecary’s Robe, Apothecary’s Waistband, Ritual Gloves, Renzithen’s Dusty Cloak, Wand of Separation, Seer’s Fine Stein, Huojin Tabard
I like the cloth quest rewards from the Ghostlands so much that I send all of my cloth-wearing Horde characters there. Kaoling continues to wear them because they coordinate so nicely with the Huojin tabard.

Lucky Red Envelope

Crown of Prosperity, Exquisite Sunderseer Mantle, Festival Suit, Black Mageweave Gloves, Kurkenstoks, Nub’s Wand, Kobold Candle
“Firecracker” would be another good name for this outfit.

~*~*~

Alliance Allied Races: Lightforged Draenei, Dark Iron Dwarf, Mechagnome

~*~*~

Homesick Warmage

Draenic Silk Robes, Gossamer Belt, Lightforged Tabard, Nimboya’s Mystical Staff*

~*~*~

Moira’s Defense Mage

Silver-Thread set with Ritual Belt, Tabard of the Dark Iron, and Shadow Wing Focus Staff

~*~*~

Mechagon Spark

Red Mageweave Shoulders, Fire-Gizzard Robes, Mechagonian Tabard, Bling Cane

~*~*~

Horde Allied Races: Nightborne, Mag’har Orc, Zandalari Troll, Vulpera

~*~*~

Student of the Dusk Lily


Cat Lover’s Vest, High Councillor’s Sash, Darkweave Breeches, Elder’s Gloves & Boots, Shal’dorei Tabard, Magician Staff
The purple and deep bluish-green combination of the Elder’s items makes a perfect combination with the colors of Thalyssra’s Dusk Lily sigil.
I’m a little bit disappointed that the Allied Race tabards are exclusive to each of those particular races, because I think this tabard is rather pretty and I’d like to be able to make kits for my other Elf Mages with it, too.
New Nightborne characters start out inside the Nighthold. The main gate to the rest of Suramar City is closed, but there’s a portal to Shal’aran. If a low-level Nightborne character tries to go out into Meredil, however, they can only get about as far as the point in the last picture before Occuleth teleports them back inside with a snarky remark.

Celumbra, the Night’s Dichotomy




Celumbra, Runespeaker’s Robes/Snowblind Vestments, Goliath Wraps of Hridmogir/Hagfeather Handwraps, Snowblind Cord/Electrified Stormwing Cord, Leywalker Pants, Snowblind Footwraps/Runespeaker’s Sandals, Warpcaster’s Staff

Celumbra, Robes of the Nightborne Ambassador, Mana-Cord of Deception, Withered Slippers, Warpcaster’s Staff

~*~*~

Mag’har Manashaper

Circle of Flame, Red Mageweave Shoulders, Fireworm Robes, Aboriginal Sash, Imperial Red Gloves + Timbermaw Bracers, Oilfoot Slippers, Shadow Wing Focus Staff, Tabard of the Mag’har Clans

~*~*~

Zandalari Apprentice Arcanital

Robe of the Keeper*, Dawnspire Cord, Tabard of the Zandalari, Soulkeeper

Yazma’s Replacement


Hallowed Pauldrons, Royal Apothecary Drape, Felfume Robes, Felcast Cord, Legacy of Arlokk
Yazma is actually wearing the Alliance versions of the Primal Combatant’s Amice of Prowess and the Primal Combatant’s Cord of Prowess.

Troll Action Battle Princess




Fen Spirit Headdress, Fen Spirit Mantle, Cloak of Everburning Knowledge, any sleeveless tunic, Talanji’s Expedition Tabard, Sash of the Chosen Dead, Soothsayer’s Kilt, Warmongering Combatant’s Battle Staff

~*~*~

Voldunai Explorer

Resilient Cap, Bright Armor, Juju Belt, Godfrey’s Britches, Treads of the Survivor, Silksand Cape, Tabard of the Vulpera, Umbranse’s Staff
I liked the bottom half of the Vulpera tabard enough that this had to be a trousers outfit.
I’m not particulary fond of hoods, in general, because they cover up or clip my characters’ hair. Vulpera, however, don’t have hair to cover up or clip, so I think I might just use hoods more often with Khariba’s kits.

Windchaser




Fen Spirit Headdress, Fen Spirit Mantle, Windchaser Robes, Zodiac Gloves*, Arachnidian Girdle, Ogre Mage Staff

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the Mages’ Council

After a few days, the Underpowered Death Knight reported that she had collected twelve different pamphlets from the Doomsayers. It had taken her that long to be sure that she’d gotten them all, as after she’d gotten a handful, she started to get duplicates, but there didn’t seem to be any more than that. She gave them to Kaelinda to analyze. Flicking through the tattered, stained, crumpled, blackened, worn, damp, scrawled, scribbled, odorous, ominous, demonic, prophetic pile, Kaelinda quickly concluded that advice from other expert opinions would be valuable. She invited her Mage friends to study the pamphlets with her.

“The things that Kael’thas’ followers said about their plan to bring Kil’jaeden through the Sunwell,” Kaelinda said, “sounded a lot like this. There wasn’t actual death in that transformation, but the rest of it is more or less the same.”

“This drivel,” Kaprikka scowled, “is distressingly similar to the propaganda that Socrethar used to seduce the Sargerei.”

“I wasn’t there during the War of the Ancients,” Keriluna mused, “I was born a few decades afterward. My parents didn’t like to talk about that time, but when they thought I was old enough, they told me about it. These words… they are just like my parents’ memories.”

“Oh, I think I know what this one’s talkin’ about!” exclaimed Khrissalys. “Did yeh hear about how King Magni got turned into diamond when he went to commune with the earth just before the Cataclysm? Well, he woke up and I saw him with my own eyes walkin’ out of Ironforge.”

(the other two prophecies reference the second and fourth Legion comics)

Kaoling shook her head sadly. “The evaporation of the mists was enough of a shock, and then Pandaria was devastated by the escape of the great Sha, and especially the destruction of the Vale of Eternal Blossoms. I think there are many Pandaren who feel like their lives were turned upside down who would be susceptible to this message. Those who were severely afflicted by the great Sha might be even more so.”

“There are many who are unhappy with the current state of our governments,” Kymberlea observed, “Those who ask, where is Lorna? Where is Tess? Where is Calia? It is bad enough that these people are… reluctant to fight in the normal conflicts of our nations. It is worse to think that those sympathies could be used to persuade them to turn traitor to our world itself.”

“Why,” Kenosha muttered disgustedly, “why are my people so stupid? After all that we have suffered because of our bloodlust in the past, why would they think that this is the most honorable way to deal with this threat?”

“Most of my family belongs to a sect of the Church of the Holy Light that has as one of its tenets being prepared for future misfortune,” Kaylynda explained, “I bet that’s where this list originally came from.”

“I’m not sure that this is actually related,” Kivrinne said, “This looks to me like a left-over Twilight’s Hammer flyer from before the Cataclysm. That, or poetry by a high level cleric of the Forgotten Shadow. I hear that priests who turn their backs on the Light are going not just into the Shadow, but all the way into the Void now.”

“Dem Darkmoon carnies are pretty clever,” said Kikimaia, “I wouldn’t trust just a suit, though. I’d feel bettah if it had a voodoo charm ta strenthen da illusion, too.”

“What a scam!” hooted Kermione. “We should put out some counter-pamphlets telling people not to trust this at all. Gallywix’ll just take your life savings and enslave you. Been there, done that!… Didn’t get a T-shirt, though… hmm, maybe I oughtta suggest the idea to Boss Mida.”

“Only two air fresheners?” said Kelilla, “They really think a demon invasion would be over that soon? But what’s more worrying is that they aren’t including any Trogg repellent.”

“Still, if there are folks trying to make gold off of this” — the Gnome waved her hands to encompass the pamphlets held by the Goblin and the Troll — “then this kind of stuff must have been going around for awhile already.”

Kaylynda shook her head in astonishment. “Just what has been going on on Azeroth while we were all away on Draenor…?” Her eyes widened and she buried her face in her hands. “Kairoz, you blithering idiot! Whatever you thought you were doing when you brought Garrosh to Draenor, you’ve gotten us into way more trouble than you were planning for!”

“You mean –” began Kaelinda, “Oh! Remember what the Black Prince said? What he showed us?”

All around the table, heads nodded.

“That is what this is all about.”

“You know,” Kaylynda said after a moment, “tomorrow is Tuesday. New and strange things always seem to happen on Tuesdays. Kaelinda, you had better tell your Death Knight friend to continue keeping an eye on these Doomsayers, just in case they change their behavior somehow tomorrow…”

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Hooray for mail-clad Gnomes!

So… how ’bout those Gnome Hunters, eh?

Even though I don’t play Gnomes, as a Transmogrification fanatic, this news makes me very happy for people who do play Gnomes. Ever since Cataclysm gave Humans and Undead a mail-wearing class with Hunters and Tauren a cloth-wearing class with Priests and Mists gave Draenei a leather-wearing class with Monks, Gnomes have remained the only race that doesn’t have access to all four armor types. I’ve thought that Gnomes should get Hunters for that reason alone for some time.

Thematically, I think the idea of a Marksmanship Hunter fits the Gnome mythos quite well. And wasn’t the Beastmaster Artifact weapon designed by Mimiron, the creator of the Gnomes? As technological whizzes, Gnome NPCs have been using guns of one kind or another for ages. It’s about time that player Gnomes can use them as a main weapon, too (Prot Warriors using a gun to pull doesn’t quite count).

Now the question is, if Gnomes are getting a new race/class combination in Legion, will any of the other races also get new race/class combinations? After Draenor introduced us to the Rangari, will Draenei get to be Rogues, or are “our” Draenei too lawful for that kind of nonsense? (edit: Actually, no, “our” Draenei are not too lawful. There’s been NPC precedent for Draenei Rogues since Outland, in the *ahem* outlaw Wyrmcult in Blade’s Edge Mountains.) I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again that the presence of Tauren among the various pirate groups on Azeroth gives precedent for a Tauren Outlaw Rogue, and I could easily see Tauren as Mages as an outgrowth of Shamanism in a similar fashion to how Tauren as Priests & Paladins is an outgrowth of Druidism.

What do you think about Gnome Hunters, and what race/class combinations would you really love to play?

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maundering about mogging

Well, the Q&A this morning answered my most burning question about Artifact weapons, which was “how are they going to manage dual specs?” I’m glad that I’ll be able to get the Artifact weapons for both of my specs. I didn’t want to have to choose whether my Paladin will be Prot or Holy for Legion. My Blood Elf Mage will be Fire for Felo’melorn, of course.

Early last week, shortly before the all the excitement about the new expansion, Kamalia completed her 100th naval mission and obtained the Captain’s Hat. Naturally, I set about to design a kit to go with it.

Captain’s Hat, Crusader’s Pauldrons, Felstalker Breastplate, Veteran’s Linked Girdle, Wasteland Ringmail Leggings, Talhide Lined-Gloves, Railwalker’s Ratcheted Boots, Steelforged Dagger (1-630), Wheel of the Lost Hope
Alas, the most perfect shield to go with this hat is Alliance-only!
And while I am willing to do there-and-back-again faction-switching shenanigans with my other characters, I won’t do that with Kamalia. sigh…
I guess I’ll just have to make do with the Sharptusk Shield, which kinda-sorta looks nautical — like a broken porthole cover, perhaps.

I’ve been saying that I won’t play the Shipyard with anyone but Kamalia, but this cosmetic hat… I just know that I’m going to want to get one for a character of each armor type, at least. I don’t have to play the Shipyard as seriously with my other characters as I have with Kam, though. I just have to complete 100 missions, I don’t have to succeed at them, so I can play my other characters’ Shipyards in ships-are-expendable mode, instead of in the min-max mode I’ve been playing it with Kam.

I don’t mind Demon Hunters being restricted to the elven races — Sin’dorei are my second-favorite race, after all — because even if all races could be Demon Hunters, I’m not sure I’d want to play a Tauren Demon Hunter. I think I could quite happily play a swashbuckling Tauren Combat Rogue, or a Tauren Frost/Fire Mage (as an outgrowth of Shamanism, similar to the way that Tauren Priests are an outgrowth of Druidism), but I don’t think I could be a Tauren Warlock or Demon Hunter. It would just feel too wrong (but then, I thought that about Death Knights, too, and now I have two of them). Nevertheless, that Demon Hunters will now be a player character thing instead of just an NPC thing is making me want to start running my Monk through Black Temple to swipe Illidan’s blindfold. She may not want to be a Demon Hunter, but she can play at looking like one.

Cursed Vision of Sargeras, Supple Shoulderguards (1-640), Raiment of Silent Stars, Green Belt of Hushed Wisdom, Blazewing’s Furious Kilt, Gloves of the Blind Stalker, Terokk’s Shadowstaff
The most difficult piece of this kit to acquire will be the chestpiece — it requires Friendly reputation with the Shado-Pan Assault, and Kate is only at Neutral. I’ll need some buddies to help me clear the first LFR wing of Throne of Thunder to get the rep.

Having resigned myself to the idea that there probably won’t be any new race/class combinations in the next expansion, let alone Tauren Mages (given that the Grimtotem casters who used Mage spells in pre-Cataclysm days now use only Shaman or Druid spells), I thought that the next-best thing would be to level up my Gnome Mage and run her with the Orb of Deception active on cooldown. After acquiring an Orb of Deception, however, I found to my disappointment that instead of changing my Gnome to look like a Tauren wearing the same clothes as my Gnome, it generates a fixed disguise. Well, I thought, perhaps it might be fun to play with the Orb of Disguise concept by making a Transmogrification kit to make one of my leather-wearing characters look like an Orb-of-Disguised Gnome.

Big Voodoo Mask, Wild Growth Spaulders, Living Breastplate, Tracker’s Belt, Jinxed Hoodoo Kilt, Gauntlets of Southwind, Bright Yellow Shirt
Alas, the Living Breastplate pattern is no longer obtainable, and Kamalia doesn’t have it because I didn’t think I’d ever want to make it. The best substitute, I think, is probably the Thick Draenic Vest, which is the same style in a tan color that would coordinate reasonably well with the rest of the kit.

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is this a hint, or is it just flavor art?

The illustration for the new “Lock and Load” card in the upcoming Grand Tournament expansion for Hearthstone (the sixth one in the Blizzard Watch gallery after the opening “Coldarra Drake”) sure looks like a Gnome dual-wielding pistols to me.

Gnomes can’t currently be Hunters, nor can Hunters dual-wield pistols. Is this a hint about something we can expect to see in World of Warcraft‘s next expansion? Or is it merely Rule Of Cool flavor art just for Hearthstone?

I wish it were the former, but it’s probably the latter. sigh…

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red ringlets reverie

As we look forward to another year, here is one small and silly little thing that I wish would happen, one of these Patches, that would make me very very happy indeed:

I want more ringlets!

I love the ringlets of the Draenei “Jeweled Band” hairstyle.

I love the ringlets of the Goblin “Elegant” hairstyle.

I would love, love to see the Barbershop make these hairstyles available to more races.

Wouldn’t those long Dranei ringlets look just lovely on a Blood Elf, Human, or Night Elf?

And wouldn’t those fat Goblin curls look simply adorable on a Gnome, Dwarf, or Pandaren?

I’d love to see curly coat Tauren, too —

— but I realize that that’s far, far less likely to happen than getting ringlets for the more Human-like races.

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