Did Kurog Grimtotem use THE DOOMSTONE to free Raszageth from Froststone Vault?

My biggest burning unanswered lore question of Dragonflight: Was the Doomstone what Kurog Grimtotem used to rile up the elementals and free Raszageth from her prison, and if not, why not?
The Doomstone first appears as the MacGuffin of the Twilight Cultist plotline in Cataclysm Thousand Needles. During Legion, it is taken to the Maelstrom for safekeeping by the Farseers during the Broken Shore chapter of the Shaman Order Hall questline. During that questline, enemy agents use it to incite various elementals to dangerous levels of activity.
Having the Doomstone be involved with the rise of the Primalists and perhaps even the key to opening Froststone Vault to release Raszageth seems like a great story fit for that dangling thread.

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the trauma of the Tauren

Kamalia did the patch 10.0.7 questline with Baine and Scout Tomul in the Ohn’ahran Plains last night.
One of the key themes of the questline is confronting and overcoming the hatred and mistrust that the Tauren of modern Kalimdor have for Centaur because of the post-Sundering generational warfare between Centaur and Tauren on that continent*.
I’ve thought — briefly — before about how Thunder Bluff having been established following the events of Warcraft III means that Kamalia would have spent most of her life prior to the beginning of World of Warcraft as a nomad. Until I was playing through this new questline, though, I didn’t have any sense that her nomadic experience would have involved constant fleeing from, fear of, and hatred of the Centaur.
Though the arrival of the Orcs saves the Tauren from extinction at the hooves of the Centaur in Warcraft III, I feel like what mentions of that history exist in World of Warcraft‘s quests in Mulgore, the Barrens, and even Desolace — in both Classic and Cataclysm** — don’t convey that aspect of Tauren history & culture very effectively at all. The Harpies, Gnolls, and Quillboar are presented as equally important threats as the Centaur. Nothing that I remember of my leveling experience suggested this degree of cultural trauma:


I feel like I might have felt differently about Kamalia’s interactions with the Centaur of the Ohn’ahran Plains when I first played through that zone if I had understood that the conflict between the Tauren and the Centaur in Kalimdor was that horrific.
~*~*~
*In contrast, Lasan Skyhorn, standing near the flight master in Maruukai, comments that Highmountain Tauren do not have this prejudice.
**Perhaps it’s time to play through those zones again, paying more careful attention to the quest text in both text panes and chat bubble dialogs, in Retail with Kazithra/Kaiuna and also in Classic…

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

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

5) Fan of Knives

Alley Skulker’s Bandana, Mantle of Crimson Blades, Cephalohide Jacket, Felshroud Gloves, Felshroud Belt, Charskin Legguards, Harvester’s Court Slippers, Sinfall Ceremonial Blade
This outfit is pretty but far too showy for anything but exhibition dueling or knife-throwing.

4) Stabbity Rabbity

Ghostwalker set with Spring Circlet, Swashbuckling Buccaneer’s Sash, and Mindsear Shanker
A minor tweak of Kaiuna’s previous outfit, to better fit the Noblegarden aesthetic.

3) Trial of Style: Winter Wear

Boneshredder set with Crimson Beanie, Swashbuckling Buccaneer’s Sash, and Miniature Winter Veil Tree
This theme was so easy for a dagger-wielding leather wearer 😀 This outfit placed 2nd, which was enough tokens to get the leather items I wanted.

2) Harlequin’s Hoard



Darkmoon Harlequin’s Bells with Demonic Gladiator’s Leather Helm, Trusty Treasure Trove, Demonic Gladiator’s Leather Slippers, Surgeon’s Needle and Rolfsen’s Ripper
I couldn’t decide which of these fancy daggers I liked better with this ensemble, so I used them both!

1) Dreadblades’ Plunder

Dread Admiral’s Bicorne, Exceptional Stormshroud Shoulders, Trusty Treasure Trove, Nobleman’s Coat, Bandit Gloves, Seafarer Belt, Nobleman’s Pantaloons, Bandit Boots, The Dreadblades (default, tint 1)
Kaiuna, formerly a Feral Druid, has always enjoyed playing at looking like a Rogue. The March 2023 Trading Post gave her two perfect items for her first official Rogue outfit!

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

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

4) Loa Seeker II

Steamburst Mantle, Forlorn Loa-Binder Robe, Steamburst Waistwrap, Wand of Sudden Changes, Steamscar Vessel
An minor variation on an outfit originally worn by Kazithra’s namesake grandmother (see Priest #58).

3) Harlequin Sprite


Darkmist Wizard Hat, Sprite Darter’s Flutterers, Darkmoon Harlequin’s Tunic, Sprite Darter’s Glovelettes, Sprite Darter’s Sash, Sprite Darter’s Trousers, Darkmoon Harlequin’s Shoes, Viridium Staff of Alacrity
A colorful outfit for running around to collect Noblegarden Eggs in.

2) Highmountain Manabinder

Highmountain Headdress, Auchenai Keeper Mantle + Highmountain Shoulderguards, Highmountain Harness, Highmountain Tabard (racial)/Tabard of the Highmountain Tribe (faction), Highmountain Gloves, Aqu’sirr’s Swirling Sash, Wandering Healer’s Kilt, Dreambinder
Kjella wanted to use the upper-body pieces of the Highmountain Heritage Armor with a kilt.
This is the first outfit in which I have actually used the “transmogrify each shoulder separately” option!

1) Shimmering Plumage

Red: Shadra Silk Headband, Shadra Silk Mantle, Robe of Combustion, Staff of Fiery Fate

Green: Cobra Priest’s Headdress, Lastwind Shoulderpads, Ivycloth Robe, Staff of the Earthmother

Blue: Fen Spirit Headdress, Fen Spirit Mantle, Royal Gown, Ogre Mage Staff
Kazithra was looking for just the right combination of Tauren-ness and Mage-ness for her first Sunday Mog Show appearance, and this theme-and-variations was it.
This Kazithra is the niece of Kregga and the granddaughter of the Kazithra who has appeared previously as a Shadow Priest for various Things My Priest Wears outfits.

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Things my Druid Wears, part 12 (outfits 111 – 120)

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 (*).

115) Cenarion Var. Primalist

Cenarion Raiment with Wrap of Raging Tempests, Waveborne Diplomat’s Belt, and Wildfury Greatstaff
This cloak, which actually comes from the Primal Empowered (Forbidden Reach) Mail set, coordinates exceptionally handsomely with the Cenarion Raiment, which has no cloak of its own.

114) Apprentice Soupervisor



Ancestral Chieftain’s Headdress, Frostwolf Spaulders, Rivermane War Harness, Ottuk Hide Vest, Rustic Workman’s Shirt, Frostwolf Mitts, Miststalker’s Belt, Frostwolf Leggings, Ottuk Hide Waders, Big Kinook’s Spare Ladle
I was looking for alternate shoulders to go with the Ottuk Hide set, and this mashup with the Frostwolf set from Warlords kind of just happened.

113) Renowned Expeditioner’s Leather


Renowned Expeditioner’s Leather Armor with Headdress of the Sleeper, Renowned Expeditioner’s Cloak, and Wildfury Greatstaff
Kamalia reached Renown 14 with the Dragonscale Expedition, thus allowing everyone to buy the handsome Renown recolor of the Dragon Isles quest armor sets. The set hat isn’t bad… it just seems better suited to a Rogue or a Monk than a Druid.

112) Azerothian In Black


Onyx Glare-Reducers, Cloaked Shoulderpads, Eternal Traveler’s Cloak, Rogue’s Tunic, Stylish Black Shirt, Rogue’s Handwraps, Rogue’s Waistband, Rogue’s Leggings, Rogue’s Footwear, Earthborn Staff, Eternal Black Diamond Ring, Stylish Black Parasol
You didn’t see what just happened here. You didn’t see me.
Except when you did, because look at the size of that diamond!
The outfit itself is really more “Mission Impossible” than “Men In Black” — but I could think of MIB jokes more easily 😛
An outfit inspired by the March 2023 Trading Post theme of “Looking Good”.

111) Iskaara Trading Partner


Green: Tuskarr Trader’s Leather Armor with Forest Green Ear Warmer, Conservator’s Leather Cape and Elder’s Bioluminous Quarterstaff


Blue: Azure Ear Warmer, Ottuk Hide Epaulets, Rustic Tuskarr Backpack, Ottuk Hide Vest, Ottuk Hide Grips, Ottuk Hide Sash, Ottuk Hide Breeches, Ottuk Hide Waders, Elder’s Bioluminous Quarterstaff
Having acquired this handsome leather set, I’d almost say that Kaurinka is Done in the Dragon Isles, except that there’s still quite a bit of Inscription that she wants to learn… Plus, she’d like to get to level 70 and get some halfway decent gear so she can go solo Heroic Mists of Tirna Scithe until Mistcaller drops the Crown of Autumnal Flora for her.

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Things my Shaman Wears, part 13 (outfits 121 – 130)

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

126) Heritage of the Plains




Heritage of the Shu’halo with Ancestral Chieftain’s Totem/Ancestral Bloodhoof Totem, Thunder Bluff Doublet, Replica Kilt of The Five Thunders, Ceremonial Ohn’ir Dagger + Sternhorn’s Shield/Ancestor’s Might
Upon meeting with Mayla in Valdrakken, Kamalia donned her Shu’halo best and went to help Baine in the Ohn’ahran Plains.
It had been no small thing for her to overcome her own initial wariness of the Dragon Isles Centaur, for her to fight down her instincts to either attack or flee and to try to approach them as she would any other newly-encountered people. She had found Scout Tomul to be trustworthy, and she had gradually come to respect and appreciate the Maruuk Centaur. She was oddly relieved when Baine at last came to the start of similar conclusions.

125) Renowned Expeditioner’s Mail


Renowned Expeditioner’s Mail Armor with Emerald Winglord’s Coif, Renowned Expeditioner’s Armored Shawl, Expedition Dissection Knife, and Hoursteel Barrier
Kamalia reached Renown 14 with the Dragonscale Expedition, thus unlocking this handsome coloration of the Dragon Isles quest armor set.

124) Fabulously Flashy


Onyx Glare-Reducers, Wanderer’s Midnight Cloak, Fabulously Flashy Finery, Rockhide Links, Bloodmail Legguards*/Black Tuxedo Pants, Dragon Dinner Fork, Light’s Shield, Eternal Black Diamond Ring, Stylish Black Parasol
I bought this shirt from the March 2023 Trading Post, so I wanted to do something with it for that month’s Trading Post theme of “Looking Good”.
Kamalia’s best 1H weapon right now is the Ceremonial Ohn’ir Dagger. Hence, the Dragon Dinner Fork with Light’s Shield as a sort of Dragon Dinner Platter?

123) A Romantic Ohn’ahran Picnic





Crown of Boundless Courage, White Traditional Hanbok, Rosy Corsage, Mindsear Shanker, Aegis of the Vindicator
This was too charming of an idea to not do.

122) Ohn’ahran Falconer


Shikaar Scout’s Visor, Ohn’ahran Falconer’s Shoulderguards, Cloak of the Everliving Keeper, Ohn’ahran Falconer’s Chainmail, Ohn’ahran Falconer’s Grips, Ohn’ahran Falconer’s Belt, Ohn’ahran Falconer’s Greaves, Ohn’ahran Plainswalker Greaves, Ceremonial Ohn’ir Dagger, Stout Shield
Kamalia completed the WQ version of this Dragonflight armor set. None of the colors of the Shikaar hat quite match, so I eventually just picked one. Looking at this fellow’s hat, though, I guess I should have picked one of the other colors. Oh well.

121) Primal Cyclonic

Cyclonic Battlegear with Stormbender Maul and Squallbreaker Shield
Mail set from the Primal Storms Dragonflight pre-launch event.

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Kaiuna, Kazithra, and Kjella

Before logging in with any of my Four Mains, first I needed to create the new alts that Patch 10.0 made possible!

Kaiuna was originally a melee Druid alt, and she’s always had Rogue-ish tendencies (see Things My Druid Wears #2).

This Kazithra is Kregga’s niece, named after her grandmother (my sometime Shadow Priest character).

The “j” in her name is pronounced as a “y” sound.

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The Official WoW Timeline and My Characters’ Ages

Officially, Shadowlands began in Year 35 from the Opening of the Dark Portal, and Dragonflight begins in Year 40; with World of Warcraft having begun in Year 25, there are 15 years between the beginning of Classic and the beginning of Dragonflight. What does this mean for my characters?

Way back in 2018, Gnomecore asked, “How Old Are Your Toons?” At the time, I began a rundown of the ages of my characters that then sat in draft for a few years until I eventually deleted it. Now seems like a good time to revisit that storybuilding prompt.

Although I have previously headcanoned the first several expansions of WoW as being two years in duration, the Official Timeline has one year for most of them. I’ll use the Official Timeline for these age calculations.

A couple more assumptions, which may or may not be Canon: Tauren become adults in their culture at age 16 and generally live to 90-110. Eversong Elves become adults in their culture at age 100 and generally live 300-500 years, though rare individuals may live for 1000 – 3000 years.

~*~*~

The ages of my major Tauren characters can be determined from my Tauren Paladin and Priest, the twins Karaelia (Paladin) and Kaohana (Priest), who came of age at the beginning of Cataclysm. Thus, they are 16 years old in Year 28 and were born in Year 12. The twins were a surprise late pregnancy for their mother. Keija (Warrior) was 10, Ketura (Hunter) was 13, Kerisa (Druid) was 15, and Kamalia (Shaman) was 18 at the time.
In Year 25 when World of Warcraft begins, they were: Kamalia 31, Kerisa 28, Ketura 26, Keija 23, Karaelia & Kaohana 13.
Kerisa married in Year 28 at the end of Wrath of the Lich King and her daughter Kessina was born about a year later during Cataclysm; either late Year 29 or early Year 30. Her son was born during Legion, probably Year 33.
Keija didn’t begin actively adventuring herself until after the twins came of age. She married at age 25 (Year 27), but she and her husband chose to remain childless until around the end of Legion (Year 33); they had a son in late Year 34.
Kamalia finally got married in Year 33 at the age of 39*. She may or may not have succeeded in having a child by the time Dragonflight begins in Year 40, at which time she will be 46.
When Dragonflight begins, Kerisa will be 43, Ketura 41, Keija 38, and Karaelia & Kaohana 28.
My Tauren Death Knight, Kregga, came of age approximately during the events of Warcraft III, which puts her at about 18 or 19 in Year 25 and 33 or 34 at the beginning of Dragonflight.
Kaumaleia, the Underpowered Death Knight, was about 25 in Year 27 at the beginning of Wrath of the Lich King, so she is 38 at the beginning of Dragonflight.
My Tauren Monk, Katewatha, was a young adult, perhaps 21 or 22, when the Pandaren came in Year 30; she will be 31 or 32 at the beginning of Dragonflight.
Kasheena, my Highmountain Tauren Druid, was a young adult of 19 or 20 when the Highmountain Tauren joined the Horde at the end of Legion (Year 33), so she will be 26 or 27 at the beginning of Dragonflight.
Kaurinka, the identity of my Tauren Druid during Shadowlands, is in her mid-30s.
My Tauren Rogue will borrow the name Kazithra from Kregga’s mother, and she will be young, reckless, and insolent; perhaps only 17 or 18 at the end of Shadowlands and 20 or 21 at the beginning of Dragonflight.
My Tauren Mage, whose name I haven’t quite decided upon yet, wants to be middle-aged, I think, even older than Kamalia, maybe in her 50s or 60s at the beginning of Dragonflight.
Update: When I actually created my new Tauren Mage and Rogue, this is what happened…
My Tauren Rogue, Kaiuna, has appeared previously as a Feral Druid who always enjoyed dressing up Rogueishly. Now that Tauren can become Rogues for real, she cheerfully switched classes. She is about the same age as Karaelia and Kaohana, with whom she was a childhood friend.
My Tauren Mage, Kazithra, is Kregga’s niece; she was named for her grandmother. Kregga is one of the younger children in her family and Kazithra is her eldest sibling’s eldest child. Kazithra has just come of age; she is 16 at the beginning of Dragonflight.

~*~*~

I’ve always thought of Kaelinda as a young adult, approximately equivalent in societal function to a 21 – 25 year-old Human. In a story I wrote about a decade ago, she is raised from journeyman to Magistrix shortly before she goes to Outland — but the story is about her crafting a Sparkle Pony, which the story describes as being a construct pattern found in Ulduar — which places the story in mid-to-late Wrath of the Lich King or about Year 28. In a story I currently have in Draft, she is an apprentice at an Eversong Woods academy of magic at the time of Arthas’s rampage in Warcraft III, or about Year 24. So she would have been about 105 in Year 25 at the beginning of World of Warcraft and is about 120 at the beginning of Dragonflight.

Kaelinda’s best female friend, Kaelyla, is a few years older, perhaps 110 at the beginning of World of Warcraft and 125 at the beginning of Dragonflight.
Kaelinda’s best male friend, Ianestin, is also in the 120 – 130 age range as of the beginning of Dragonflight.

Of the various Mage Alter-Ego characters, Kaelydia is around 175, and I don’t know any of the others — Khrysanthemina, Kaelyra, Kateleina — well enough yet to estimate their ages.

Kalaneia and Keliora are both significantly older than Kaelinda, having had their own young adult children at the the time of the destruction of Eversong Woods. Thus, they are somewhere in their mid-to-late 200s.

~*~*~

* Coincidentally, this makes Kamalia about the same age as me — I am 42 this year.

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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 (*).

110) A Druid Cultivator’s Colors


Wildercloth Gardening Hat, Shadowfang Shoulderpads, Floral Basket, Druid’s Tunic, Druid’s Handwraps, Druid’s Waistband, Druid’s Leggings, Druid’s Footwear, Staff of the Verdant Circle/Herbalist’s Spade
The level 1 Druid gear introduced during Shadowlands looks very nice with the Herbalism Profession equipment introduced in Dragonflight!

109) Incandescent Plumage


Jewel of the Firelord, Fireplume Plumage, Fireplume Vestments, Pirate Sinker’s Gloves, Supple Waistguard (stage 2), Fireplume Coverts, Felshroud Boots, Scythe of Elune (Hidden, default tint)
It would be awesome if a Druid who is wearing at least the shoulders, chest, and pants of the Fireplume Regalia got their Flight Form transformed into the Ashes of Al’ar!

108) Oakheart


Oakheart Raiment with Crown of Everlasting Fortune, Shoulderpads of the Chosen Dead (N), Grips of the Chosen Dead (N), and Winterborn Spear
Obtaining the Oakheart set was Kaurinka’s primary goal for Shadowlands.
I seem to remember seeing a Troll Druid in the Heart of the Forest wearing mix-and-match of the Normal-mode version of the Trial of Valor set with the Oakheart Raiment at some point in the past couple of years, and thinking that it worked really well.

107) Queen’s Conservator


Conservator’s Raiment with Crown of the Forest Lord, Veil of Turning Leaves, and Songwood Staff
Well, Kaurinka didn’t really fancy staying in the Dust Devil set very long, especially since she wasn’t going to be shipping out to the Dragon Isles anytime soon — she still needs to finish the 9.0 Night Fae Campaign. And she’d acquired the Queen’s Conservatory variant of the 9.0 Night Fae Leather set awhile back and hadn’t worn it yet.

106) Primal Dust Devil

Dust Devil Armor with Stormbender Rod
Leather set from the Primal Storms Dragonflight pre-launch event.

105) Verdant Awakening II

Crown of Boundless Courage, Cenarion Spaulders, Emerald Wings of Awakening, Dervish Tunic, Maatparm’s Fungus Lined Bands + Oilrag Handwraps*, Forest-Lord’s Waistwrap, Dervish Leggings, Orca-Hide Boots, Staff of the Verdant Circle
My Tauren Druid’s take on an Emerald Wings of Awakening kit originally designed for my Night Elf Druid (#34).

104) Starlight Rosedust



Tsanga’s Helm, Azure Dusk Mantle, Tunic of the Dark Hour, Scaled Leather Bracers + Fearless Gladiator’s Dragonhide Gloves, Night Courtier’s Belt, Pure Sight Leggings, Supple Boots, Talon Guard Staff
This kit began with the chestpiece & pants combo. The shoulders, hat, and belt followed nicely, but when I got to selecting gloves and boots, an all-blue ensemble didn’t feel quite right. Browns weren’t really working, either. When it occurred to me that the accent color in the tunic was actually more maroon than brown and I started looking for maroons, the Supple Boots surprised me by being just right. Then I just needed to figure out the hands, and this combo of bracers and short gloves was perfect.
Then I realized what that color combination was reminding me of…

103) Midnight Faerie Pranks

Headdress of the Sleeper, Moonglade Shoulders, Midnight Chestguard, Master Brewer’s Gloves, Fairweather Belt, Leggings of the Empty Throne, Slippers of the Unruly Fairies, Warmongering Combatant’s Battle Staff
When these boots dropped in Battle for Azeroth, we had no idea just how unruly those faeries really could be!

102) Sleepers’ Keeper


Nordrassil Headpiece, Living Wood Spaulders (H), Faewoven Pack, Nether Shadow Tunic, Rich Purple Silk Shirt, Springrain Bracers, Replica Wildheart Belt, Replica Wildheart Kilt, Mok’Morokk’s Beat Stick
Although the bone wings were fun for a little while, soon Kaurinka wanted something more recognizably Night Fae. She hadn’t used this Night Fae backpiece style yet, so that was the starting point for this kit.

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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Too Soon, Hazzikostas?

It’s almost the end of June, Dragonflight is not yet in open beta, and Blizzard is already announcing that it will launch by the end of the year?

With that announcement, the pre-orders are open, of course.
So far, I’ve gotten the second-tier version of three expansions: Warlords of Draenor for the Dread Raven (fancier Anzu) mount, Battle for Azeroth for the Gilded Ravasaur mount, and Shadowlands for the Eternal Traveler Transmogrification set. I’ve been quite happy with those purchases.
The only thing I really want out of the second-tier version for Dragonflight is the bundled level 60 Boost, to use for my Tauren Mage — though let’s be honest: I’m probably going to make that character, Boost her, and then just faff around with Mogging her while continuing to actively play my Blood Elf and Void Elf Mages as co-mains.
The Mog stuff is in the third-tier version. The Diadem of the Spellkeeper headpiece just isn’t my style. I rather like the Dragon Wings backpiece Mog, especially since it comes in all five Classic dragonflight colours by default. I’m already imagining a revisit of the “Dragon Princess” series I did with my Blood Elf Priest using those wings.
If I got the third-tier version of Dragonflight, I’d essentially be paying $20 for the level 60 Boost and $20 for the Dragon Wings… I think that’s acceptable — I’ve been satisified with the $20 I spent for the Celestial Observer’s ensemble.
I don’t plan to make that purchase, however, until after I’ve 1) gotten my Fall classes ready to go, 2) done the Korthia Campaign, and 3) done the Zereth Mortis Campaign.

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