Things my Druid Wears, part 11 (outfits 101 – 110)

A collection of Transmogrification Kits actually worn in-game by my Tauren Druid. Outfits are listed from most recent to least recent. Items that are no longer obtainable are marked with an asterisk (*).

101) Druid of the Cycle III


Big Voodoo Mask, Thunderlord Shoulderguards, Osteowings of the Necrolords, Ancestral Chieftain’s Armor, Antiseptic-Soaked Dressing, Bat Fur Mitts, Ferocious Gladiator’s Dragonhide Belt, Warmongering Gladiator’s Leggings, Duskbat Exterminator’s Treads, Hozen Warrior Spear
I was looking at the Necrolords bone wings in another context and it suddenly occurred to me that they would look great with this combo of shoulders and chestpiece, previously seen in (Tauren) Druid #68.
I think this look works for an Ardenweald/Night Fae character because of Ol’ Bwonsamdi, hmmmmm?

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Things my Night Elf Druid Wears, part 4 (outfits 31 – 40)

A collection of Transmogrification Kits actually worn in-game by my Night Elf Druid. Outfits are listed from most recent to least recent. Items that are no longer obtainable are marked with an asterisk (*).

33) Night Glaive

Celestial Observer’s Constellations, Broodmother Armor, Grips of the Chosen Dead, Misthide Belt, Bladedancer’s Pantaloons, Boots of the Chosen Dead, Archon Glaive
I couldn’t leave Kerithian in the Nightmare for very long, so here she is with the original special questline-granted Night Elf-exclusive appearance, the Night Warrior (which is really only the eyes, Night Elf eye color 10, but I like to use skin color 13 and hair color 16 with it). This ensemble — hairstyle included — is loosely inspired by Tyrande’s Night Warrior visage.

32) Malorne’s Nightmare II


Gladiator’s Dragonhide Armor with Cloak of Blade Turning and Scythe of Elune (PVP, first tint)
Naturally, I had to play around with the “Dark Ranger” customization introduced in Patch 9.2.5 with a Night Elf — and since I did it with Kerithian, of course it made her into a Nightmare Druid.

If you are 1337 like I’m not, The First Satyr’s Spaulders would be an awesome addition to this look.
See also (Tauren) Druid #42.

31) Star Chylde I


Celestial Observer’s Ensemble with Conqueror’s Nightsong Cover and Scythe of Elune (upgraded, 1st tint)
I wanted to use the Sentinel’s Branch with this outfit for a Kaldorei character–

–but she’s a Druid and darnit if the Scythe of Elune doesn’t just look phenomenal.
See also “Star Chylde II” ((Tauren) Druid #96).

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considering Covenant hopping

Like my four year-old who is so excited for Halloween, I “can’t wait” for Patch 9.1.5 because I’m so excited to be able to bring Kamalia to the Shadowlands without having to go through that introductory Maw experience one more time. As I’ve played with my Mages, Druid, Priest, and Warlock, I’ve found myself missing slinging Flame Shocks and Lava Bursts and Chain Lightnings and Earthquakes as an Elemental Shaman. I also just miss being Kamalia because she’s my oldest and “flagship” character.

With Kamalia in the Shadowlands, I’ll have three of the four armor classes there. That makes it tempting to also bring out my Paladin, Karelia. Then I’d want to bring my Tauren Priest, Kaohana, so that I’ll have all four armor classes as Tauren, and because the twins don’t like to be separated. But I know that that’s more alts than I can really manage, so I am telling myself quite firmly that I am only going to advance Kamalia.

I plan to matriculate Kamalia with the Night Fae and then slowly level her with my favorite no or minimal combat World Quests. After Kamalia has acquired all of the Night Fae stuff I’d like her to have, I’ll covenant swap her to the Kyrian to get their gorgeous set — at least the Campaign coloration; I may or may not also go for the Renown coloration — then swap back to the Night Fae.

In thinking about what kind of Covenant hopping I might want to do with my other characters, I began to think about which characters I might want to bring ahead to 10.0. Which characters will need to cycle through all the Covenants so that they’ll have access to all the things to Mog with in the future? Over the past few expansions (Shadowlands included), I’ve figured out that I can handle about four active characters at a time. The four characters I want to keep actively playing for as long as I keep playing WoW are Kamalia, Kerisa, Kaelinda, and Kaelyla. Kamalia only wants Night Fae and Kyrian stuff, and Kerisa only wants Night Fae stuff. It’s just the Mages who really want stuff from all four of the Covenants. So, after Kaelinda has reached 80 Renown and unlocked unlimited Covenant hopping, and after I’ve completed all of the 9.0 Covenant Campaigns with the designated characters, I’ll want Kaelinda and Kaelyla to each take turns with all of the Covenants. I’m imagining having them work together to collect the sets from the Korthia daily quests…

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Things my Druid Wears, part 10 (outfits 91 – 100)

A collection of Transmogrification Kits actually worn in-game by my Tauren Druid. Outfits are listed from most recent to least recent. Items that are no longer obtainable are marked with an asterisk (*).

100) Flames of Duty


Flame Healer’s Shoulderguards (N), Winterwoven Bulb, Deceitful Agent’s Vest, Gloves of the Hidden Temple, Windflame Girdle (N), Celestial Observer’s Leggings, Hive Tunneler’s Boots, Lakali’s Spire of Knowledge
I obtained the Normal-mode Siege of Orgrimmar shoulders and belt from the BMAH some time ago. I wanted to see what kind of combo I could make with Shadowlands items. This is what I ended up with, and I’m rather pleased with it.

99) Winterborn




Winterborn Regalia with Winterborn Staff/Winterborn Spear/Winterborn Shillelagh + Winterborn Harp
After many months of slowly and patiently collecting Anima tokens, Kaurinka at last accumulated 30K Anima and was able to purchase the Winterborn Arsenal.

98) Azure Foliage

Phantasmal Headdress, Hide of Chromaggus, Celestial Observer’s Starshroud, Azure Dusk Vestments, Trickster’s Handwraps, Azure Dusk Sash, Azure Dusk Leggings, Polar Boots, The Lifebinder
I saw another Tauren Druid wearing the full Stormrider set, and in an instant, I knew that I needed to put those shoulders with the Celestial Observer’s cloak and the Azure Dusk armor.

97) Staccato

Staccato set with Crown of the Forest Lord, Marshwater Mantle, and Umbranse’s Staff; variation with Traveler’s Gloves & Boots
Kaurinka had been getting somewhat bored of what she’d been wearing, but I didn’t have any exciting new ideas for her. Then Kaelinda bought her the Zereth Mortis zone-drop BOEs, so she figured she might as well see if she liked those well enough to wear them as-is. And she did, more-or-less; the Classic items in the variation coordinate beautifully!

96) Star Chylde II

Celestial Observer’s Ensemble with Conqueror’s Nightsong Cover, Lo’ap’s Tunic of Muck Diving, Pure Sight Slippers, August Celestials Tabard, and Scythe of Elune (upgraded, 1st tint)
I like the details on the sleeves and skirt of the Celestial Observer’s Robe… but not the 3D chestplate piece.
See also “Star Chylde I” (Night Elf Druid #31).

95) Spirit of the Blue Raven

Garb of Pure Spirit with Raven-Heart Headdress and Spire of Coagulated Globules (LFR)
Because Kaelyla has reached Renown 60, Kaurinka, who is only at Renown 51, can wear this ensemble.

94) Winter’s Hope



Winterborn Regalia with Crown of Everlasting Fortune, Winterwoven Bulb, Springrain Staff
Kaurinka finally collected enough Anima to buy this lovely recolor of the Night Fae armor set, which also requires Exalted reputation with the Court of Night. Though I’ve mostly preferred to stick with the “Archdruid” title, it seems appropriate to use the “Winter’s Envoy” title with this outfit.

93) Starlit Boughs



Phantasmal Headdress, Pauldrons of Malorne, Clefthoof Hidemantle, Supple Waistguard (stage 2), Bladedancer’s Pantaloons, Reaping Gloves of Aleifir, Cenarion Boots, Starshard Edge, Growthshaper Branch, Night Courtier’s Branches
This Night Fae backpiece, which can be obtained at Honored with Marasmius, is the most unique among the Night Fae backpieces because it is the only one in this style of the seven readily available from vendors. Between them, the Wild Hunt, Marasmius, Night Fae Renown, and Court of Night sell three colors of the backpack and three colors of the bulb with butterflies, leaving only the fourth color of those styles to be obtained from other activities. For this style, it is reversed: only one color is available from a vendor, and the other three must be obtained from other activities.

92) Brokers’ Business Buddy



Corpsehide set with Empyrial Deep Crown and Honortoll Spear
This handsome coloration of the leather second-tier crafted/World Quests & Dungeons set comes, somewhat surprisingly, from Maldraxxus.
The stripes on the pants and the styling of the shoulders and belt reminded me of the Brokers, though it’s not anywhere near as exact a match as the cloth set is for the Attendants.

91) Firebird




Jewel of the Firelord, Firekin Amice Robes & Gloves, Wild Gladiator’s Belt of Prowess, Spire of Coagulated Globules (H), Blazing Wings
On my Night Elf Druid, this set from Battle for Azeroth‘s Island Expeditions was “Leyara’s Legacy” (Night Elf Druid #29).
On my Tauren Druid, it is the glory of An’she at sunset.
This also seemed like a good opportunity to formally introduce Kessina, Kerisa’s daughter, who was born at the Grove of Aessina during the first year of Cataclysm. In the timeline, Kessina is still a small child, of course — but this is what she will look like when she is an adult.

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the sleep from which some will never awaken

Kaurinka felt like she already knew Ardenweald. One winter when she was an adolescent, she had gotten pneumonia and nearly died. She remembered little of her illness, except that it had seemed that while her body lay delirious in her tribe’s longhouse, her spirit had wandered freely over the dark, snowy landscape around the camp. Out of the corners of her eyes, she’d caught glimpses of towering, sigil-scribed trees with swirling, starry canopies, and underneath them, smaller trees, or maybe bushes, laden with glowing blue globes — but when she turned to try to look at them straight on, she saw only the normal, familiar trees. What was that place?, she had wondered many times during all the years that had followed. And now, here she was. If I had managed to find that place, and walk between those trees, she realized, I would have died.

~*~*~

I felt much weaker in Ardenweald than I had in Bastion or Maldraxxus. Enemies were harder to kill and took off more of my health in the process. I was using Regrowth more-or-less rotationally just to stay alive, which makes me rather worried for the survivability of my other characters.

Although I did a couple of side quests in Bastion with both Kaelinda and Kaurinka, I ignored side quests entirely in Maldraxxus. I wanted to know the whole story of Ardenweald with Kaurinka, so she did all the side quests. In the process, I discovered that for each zone, there’s one Achievement for completing the main storyline of the zone and another Achievement for doing all of the side quests* — and that both Achievements are required for each zone to complete the Loremaster meta-Achievement. Unlike Legion and Battle for Azeroth, side quests are not optional for Loremaster**! Fortunately, Loremaster is an account-wide meta-Achievement, so I can continue with my original plan of having the character who will pledge to the Covenant of each zone do its side quests — Keliora will do all the side quests of Bastion, Kalaneia will do all the side quests of Maldraxxus, and Kaelinda will do all the side quests of Revendreth — while all the others just barrel through the main questline.

Between the Rest that I accumulated last week and doing all the side quests, Kaurinka was 58% through level 59 when she finished the main zone storyline. She’ll now slumber in Ardenweald until Kaelinda has activated Threads of Fate, then use Threads of Fate to select the Night Fae as her Covenant and level the remainder of the way to 60.

Lorewise, Ardenweald delivered on the themes of heartbreaking loss and sacrifice promised by its Afterlives short.

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Mu’sha’s Sickle

I’ve been taking small breaks from Shadowlands to level with Kasheena. I’d gotten her to level 60 and Old Dalaran before Patch 9.0.1 arrived. After Patch 9.0.1, shortly before the Death Rising event began, I Chromie Timed her to Draenor and established her Garrison, so she could camp out there during the zombie invasion. During the past week, I returned her from Draenor. Then I Chromie Timed to Pandaria and played through just enough of the opening sequence to get to the village, so that I’d have that portal open in the Orgrimmar Portal Room. Next, I dropped out of Chromie Time and did the Battle for Azeroth opening sequence — skipping the Stormwind Extraction scenario — so I’d have that portal open. Then I was ready to Chromie Time to Legion. I discovered, somewhat to my dismay, that I didn’t have the option to skip the Broken Shore scenario and go straight to New Dalaran. Oh well, it had been long enough since I’d done it that it wasn’t so bad to do it again. With Balance as my favorite Druid spec, of course she chose the Scythe of Elune first. I might also get her the Fangs of Ashamane at some point.

I think it’s rather silly that Highmountain Tauren PCs don’t get that campaign marked as completed and their reputation set to Exalted, the way Nightborne PCs get the Suramar campaign and reputation flagged as already done for them. At any rate, she’s questing through Highmountain and shaking her head at being treated like an ignorant outsider. When she’s finished with Highmountain, she’ll probably do Val’sharah, too. She’s currently level 33; if she’s not level 50 by the time she’s finished Val’sharah, well, I guess I’ll figure out what I want to do next when I get there.

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Things my Highmountain Tauren Druid Wears, part 2 (outfits 11 – 20)

A collection of Transmogrification Kits actually worn in-game by my Highmountain Tauren Druid. Outfits are listed from most recent to least recent. Items that are no longer obtainable are marked with an asterisk (*).

16) An’she’s Warmth



Unwavering Stare, Living Wood Spaulders (N), Phaelia’s Vestments of the Sprouting Seed, Grips of the Unbroken, Ogre Mage Staff
The Sun Priests at the Horde entrance to the Legion Priest Order Hall (also found within) are wearing the cloth Whisperwind Spaulders with the leather Valorous Nightsong (Ulduar 10) robe and gloves. This works well from a lore perspective because the Tauren priesthood is a relatively recent offshoot of Tauren druidism, but it doesn’t work so well for Transmogrification. See also Priest #52.
Kerisa farmed up the Ulduar 25 Druid Tier set, but it seems that she never got around to collecting the 10s version. These items from the BoE recolor set will do, though.
Seeing Hunaka Greenhoof striding around New Dalaran wearing the Living Wood Spaulders — the only piece out of that particular Warlords Druid Tier set that I genuinely like — was what really made me want to get them.

See also Kerisa’s #80.

15) Noblegarden Wolpertinger


Blue Spring Circlet/Crown of Everlasting Fortune, Living Wood Spaulders (H), Sprite Darter’s Shawl, Celestial Observer’s Leggings, Frostbitten Hammer
Bunny Ears + Antlers + Feathery Wingish Things = Wolpertinger Cosplay, amirite?

14) Rusticated



Drogstitch Chestguard, Fallen Runelord’s Belt, Grizzly Pants, Oilrag Handwraps*, Drogstitch Boots, Kihrawr’s Scratching Post
Kasheena wanted something simple, practical, and, most importantly, shoulder-less to show off her cute new beaded braids.

13) Tamagranate

Preened Tribal War Feathers, Amice of the Dreamgrove, Brawnhide Armor*, Cord of the Dreamgrove, Gloomtalon’s Spare Kilt, Rejuvenating Bracers, Rapture
I originally thought I might use the red version of this vest (Wolf Rider’s Padded Armor), but the dark brown version blends with the dark side flaps of the kilt in a way that imitates the look of a long tunic, which I liked better.
The name for this outfit is a portmanteau of “tamarind” and “pomegranate”, two tangy-sweet fruity flavors that the dark brown and dark red colors made me think of.

12) Gaudy Dreamer


Finely-Tailored Green Holiday Hat, Amice of the Dreamgrove, Gaudy Winter Veil Sweater, Cord of the Dreamgrove, Gloomtalon’s Spare Kilt, Spire of Withering Dreams
I hadn’t made Kasheena a Gaudy Winter Veil Sweater outfit yet, and I hadn’t used this maroon leather kilt in a leather Gaudy Winter Veil Sweater outfit yet, et voila!

11) Conifer Cone


Darkbrand Shoulders, Grizzly Jerkin, Toenail Belt, Breeches of Natural Aggression, Oilrag Handwraps* + Cataclysmic Gladiator’s Bindings of Meditation, Conifer Cone Staff
I made this outfit first for Kiralaira (Demon Hunter #25), but immediately thought that it would be a marvelous outfit for Kasheena — when I could get her leveled up enough to wear it. She’d gotten to level 60 before Patch 9.0.1, but the kit uses some Cataclysm items, so she couldn’t quite wear it yet. Chromie Time took care of that!
Because part of the desire to use this outfit with Kasheena was because it would coordinate so nicely with her green warpaint, I changed her paint style to one that has bands lower down on the arms, where they wouldn’t be covered by the shoulders.

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Things my Druid Wears, part 9 (outfits 81 – 90)

A collection of Transmogrification Kits actually worn in-game by my Tauren Druid. Outfits are listed from most recent to least recent. Items that are no longer obtainable are marked with an asterisk (*).

90) Spring’s Envoy


Crown of Boundless Courage, Sprite Darter’s Flutterers, Elegant Dress, Staff of the Verdant Circle
Kaurinka has reached Renown 40 and earned the Winter’s Envoy title, but she’d rather be Spring’s Envoy.
She is still wearing her warpaint; she’s just changed the color scheme to white & yellow because that looked better with the dress.
If I had the Spirit Tender’s Bulb, I’d use it with this ensemble —

— but it’s a drop from the Queen’s Conservatory, which I haven’t even started yet.

89) Pyrrhuloxia



Rhinestone Sunglasses, Nightcloaked Spaulders, Nightcloaked Chestpiece, Replica Wildheart Belt, Depraved Darkblade’s Breeches, Bard’s Gloves & Boots, Wild Combatant’s Battle Staff
Revendreth leveling (and its equivalent BOE set) provided some nice new magenta pieces in leather.
Kaiuna thought she’d look better in this set than Kaurinka would, so here she is.
I named this outfit for a bird in the cardinal family which has similar coloration. The location I chose for the photoshoot is similar to that of the real world habitat of this bird.

88) Rite of Passage



Ferocious Gladiator’s Dragonhide Helm, Ceremonial Leather Harness, Fallen Runelord’s Belt, Ceremonial Leather Loincloth, Hozen Warrior Spear
A Tauren-style iteration of the barely-clothed tribal warrior concept.

87) RAWR



Thunderlord Chestguard, Wild Gladiator’s Belt of Prowess, Thunderlord Leggings, Raging-Earth Wranglers, Treads of the Den Mother, Highmountain Hammer
I collected the Thunderlord set during Warlords mostly for the sake of having all the Garrison sets. Kaurinka saw it and thought it would be perfect for showing off her warpaint even better.

86) Fading Forest

Antlers of Malorne, Runetender Shoulderguards & Pants, Swindler’s Vest, Misthide Belt, Cenarion Bracers, Starshroud Boots, Kihrawr’s Scratching Post
Kaurinka was getting a little bored of wearing the Runetender set as-is, and she’d been wanting to show off her warpaint.

85) Runetender

Runetender set with Duskwarder Censor
This is the Ardenweald recolor of the second-tier crafted/World Quest & Dungeon set from Shadowlands.

84) Desolate Leather Variations



Desolate Leather (crafted), Selfless Bearer’s (Bastion), Deceitful Agent’s (Maldraxxus), Starshroud (Ardenweald), Nightcloaked (Revendreth)
These are the first-tier crafted and leveling zone quest reward sets from Shadowlands.

83) Eternal Cycle of the Moon



Unwavering Stare, Supple Shoulderguards Waistguard & Gloves (stage 2), Eternal Traveler Raiment, Intensity
I tried some more iconically Druidy shoulders, but they all bumped into Kaurinka’s horns too much. The more streamlined profile of these shoulders just looked better.

82) Sprite Darter’s Friend



Sprite Darter’s Wings with Sparkburnt Welder’s Cloak and G’Hanir (default, 3rd tint)
I’d been contemplating what Kaurinka should wear to make her Sunday on the Promenade debut. Then this set came out and was the obvious choice.

81) Lightning Striking Twice

Warmongering Gladiator’s Helm Chestguard & Leggings, Mantle of Wicked Revenge, Windflame Girdle (N), Gloves of the Hidden Temple, Hive Tunneler’s Boots, Twin Strike Polearm (M)
I acquired this polearm, my favorite of all the Sethrak-themed weapons, from a Dungeon World Quest some time ago but hadn’t thought of a good outfit concept to use with it. When I obtained this belt, it immediately suggested a combo with the Sethrak polearm.

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Things my Highmountain Tauren Druid Wears, part 1 (outfits 1 – 10)

A collection of Transmogrification Kits actually worn in-game by my Highmountain Tauren Druid. Outfits are listed from most recent to least recent. Items that are no longer obtainable are marked with an asterisk (*).

10) Feralheart

Replica Feralheart Raiment with Staff of the Verdant Circle
In Classic, this was the upgraded version of the Druid Dungeon Set, and quite difficult to obtain. Now, it can be acquired from the Darkmoon Faire.

9) Wildheart

Replica Wildheart Raiment with Staff of the Verdant Circle
In Classic, this set was the Druid Dungeon set and not so easy to get. The Springrain gear given to new Allied Races or Boosted Druids is a higher resolution version of this set.

8) Blossoming Wilds

Crown of Boundless Courage, Palm Frond Shoulderpads, Jinxed Hoodoo Skin, Moss Cinch, Jinxed Hoodoo Kilt, Jangdor’s Handcrafted Gloves, Staff of the Verdant Circle
Kasheena wanted to wear the pink flowers, too. These pastel green items seemed like the nicest things to wear with them from her current Transmogrification level bracket.

7) Preened Feathers

Preened Tribal War Feathers, Preened Ironfeather Shoulders, Preened Ironfeather Breastplate, Preened Wildfeather Leggings, Nimble Leather Gloves, Swashbuckler’s Boots, Staff of Orgrimmar*
This hardly counts as a Mog at all because half of it is just the default appearances of the Intellect leather Heirloom items — but I am rather pleased with how I’ve found some gloves and boots that complement the pants so nicely.
Why are the Heirloom pants not the same color as the Heirloom shoulders and chestpiece? I suppose we will never know — but it does make wearing them un-Mogged look a bit odd.

6) Garland of Grain

Garland of Grain, Preened Ironfeather Shoulders, Cow King’s Hide, Excavator’s Utility Belt, Wanderer’s Leggings, Runic Leather Gauntlets, Sandstorm Boots*, Shadow Wing Focus Staff
This festive autumnal hat, new for Brewfest in 2019, seems quite well-suited to a Tauren of any variety. Of course, it looks wonderful with the Brewfest Dress/Regalia. Naturally, I wanted to see what I could do with it using normal gear, too.

5) Favored of Cenarius

Cenarion Raiment with Forest Leather Chestpiece, Deviate Scale Belt, and Staff of the Verdant Circle
During Noblegarden, Kasheena had changed her warpaint to blue to match the blue satin lining of the Brown Spring Circlet. It was time to change back to her normal Skyhorn green warpaint — so her clothes needed to be green again, too.
The first picture is in a location in modern Azshara that corresponds approximately to the location in ancient Azshara where Huln Highmountain received the blessing of Cenarius. The other pictures are in the location in modern Azshara that corresponds to the location in ancient Azshara where Huln Highmountain aided Malfurion Stormrage.

4) Mana-Infused Lagomorph

Brown Spring Circlet, Boulder Pads, Loch Croc Hide Vest*, Thick Qirajihide Belt, Cenarion Leggings, Gloves of the Hidden Temple, Hive Tunneler’s Boots, Staff of Radiance
The blue lining of the Brown Spring Circlet wanted other pieces that are brown with blue accents to go with it. Then her face paint and hair doodads needed to be blue, too, to match. The glowing blue markings reminded me of Suramar’s manasabers.

3) Together, We Are

Ranger Shoulders, Loch Croc Hide Vest, Bal’lal Belt, Huntsman’s Leggings, Loramus’ Gloves, Smart Shoes, Carved Ashwood Stick, Highmountain Tabard
The color scheme of this outfit — brown and green with accents of blue and red — reflects the restored unity of the Highmountain tribes.

2) Skyhorn Shapeshifter


Feathermoon Headdress, Preened Ironfeather Shoulders & Breastplate, Headhunter’s Belt, Stormrage Legguards, Hewn Kodo Gloves + Bristlebark Bindings, Ogre Mage Staff
I suspect that Kasheena will end up wearing a lot of green to coordinate with her green warpaint.

1) Highmountain Wildshifter

The Wildshifter set given to newly-created Allied Races Druids is identical to the Springrain set given to Boosted Druids, which can also be obtained from the Warlords Garrison Salvage Yard.

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wibbly wobbly timey wimey Shadowlands

As if the time travel shenanigans of the first two Hour of Twilight dungeons in Cataclysm and the entirety of Warlords of Draenor weren’t enough, a recent interview by Ion Hazzikostas (Wowhead summary here) reveals that time has a “complicated”, “chaotic” flow in the Shadowlands, with consequences to the player character that may not be fully revealed until the end of the expansion*…

Here is where being the player and not the character allows some RP meta-gaming.
A few years ago, I wrote a story about Kerisa’s family. Since then, I’ve added to it. I’d already been thinking that because I’ve now described Kerisa as a mother of two small children — and with two small children myself — I couldn’t bear to put her family through the trauma of having her disappear into the Shadowlands. And if there’s going to be time screwiness happening, too…
So: once the new character customizations go live, which I hope will be in the pre-launch events patch, we will meet a new character, an Alter Ego level 12050 Tauren Druid: Kaurinka, a palomino with red-and-blue arm warpaint who devotes herself more strongly to An’she than to Mu’sha (though not to the degree of the Sunwalkers). The name is derived from the original name of Gnomecore’s Gnome Priest, “Aurinko”, which, if I am remembering correctly, is a Finnish word meaning “sun” or “sunlight” — a fitting name for a sun-colored devotee of An’she.

One might ask, “You have a BfA-level Night Elf Druid, why not finish leveling that character to be the Druid who does Ardenweald? With there being some Tyrande story in Ardenweald, wouldn’t it be more appropriate to experience that with a Night Elf anyway? Or what about your Highmountain Tauren Druid?”
Um, well…
I’ve already got Kerisa at level 120 and working through improving her stuff.
Furthermore, I’m trying to focus my altoholism and keep the number of characters I plan to take to Shadowlands — and thus need to prep with BfA endgame activities & gearing — as minimal as I can manage. This academic year that just ended was just one thing after another, and the next one is probably not going to be any easier.

* …or, at any rate, until the next expansion is announced at Blizzcon 2021 😛

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