Episode #83: Everyone loves a good ghost story… especially in Azeroth. Our journey brings us to the ancient halls of Blackrock Mountain and into Forgewright’s Tomb subzone @(20.6,28.8). All explorers have the opportunity to visit a hidden NPC ghost, Franclorn Forgewright. This forgotten, level 60 Dark Iron dwarf once played an important role as a quest giver related to the Blackrock Depths instance. However, with the Cataclysm expansion, Franclorn Forgewright no longer provides ‘The Dark...

Episode #82: Daring adventurers have traveled through the Dark Portal, explored the entirety of Draenor, and constructed a personal garrison… Yet have you pondered the meaning behind the mysterious grave in Shadowmoon Valley? Located in the subzone of Lunarfall at coordinates @(40.3, 69.7), a solitary gray-colored stone can be found. Resting at the base of the grave, a small helm and sword decorate the memorial. A shovel is nearby – indicating that the darkened ground here was the result...

Episode #81: While exploring the northern coastlines of the Kun-Lai Summit zone, explorers should look skyward to catch sight of a wandering NPC named Lon’li Guju. This level 88, flying giant sea tortoise is friendly to both factions. The angelic-winged Lon’li Guju is a special in-game memorial to Lonesome George, the last of his subspecies of tortoise. Although Lonesome George died on June 24, 2012; he now lives on forever in Pandaria. All players who befriend Lon’li Guju by issuing a...

Episode #80: Nested high in one of the isolated mountain regions of Pandaria, explorers can discover a noteworthy subzone called The Secret Aerie. Although accessible with a flying mount, game designers created a way for lost adventurers to make the beautiful journey into this hidden area entirely by foot. The Secret Aerie is home to various Pandaran Hawktrainer NPCs, each titled as ‘People of the Sky’. Various named NPCs have appeared in recent patches, however no known quests of...

Episode #79: Inside the Shado-Pan Monastery 5-man instance, a mysterious graveyard conceals the location of 2 invisible NPCs, a stone shrine, and a hidden spell buff. Found on a southwestern-central mountain cliff at coordinates (46,65), the instanced Shado-Pan Monastery hides an ornately-decorated Pandaran graveyard. Explorers to this far-removed area can discover two “Shado-Pan Assassin” NPCs, named Hakka and Jae Kuen. In addition, visitors will find a solitary shrine with a bizarre,...

Episode #78: Off the coast of the Dreadwastes zone, an enormous NPC, named Gokk’lok, conceals a secret. This neutral, elite rare clam is found in the subzone titled the Gokk’lok Shallows at coordinates (27, 16). Although Gokk’lok shows no signs of aggression, any adventurer who attempts to attack this creature will need to defend off several waves of lvl 90 protectors. Once defeated, Gokk’lok presents a hidden quest called Promises of Gold. Unlike other quest reward items, this special...

Episode #77: Tales of wicked seduction exist in the lands of Azeroth. With each expansion in WoW, various Steamy Romance Novels have been introduced for players to find. With a total of 7 different volumes in all, the Steamy Romance Novels are readable, gray-quality books with very… um.. risque topics. For many years, most novels were only obtainable through pickpocketing certain high-level mobs. For this reason, these lesser-known items were rarely seen by players outside of rogues. ...

Episode #76: On a small island (coordinates 18,70), off the southwestern coast of Krasarang Wilds, a mighty guardian NPC elite named Cro’akan protects the defenseless critters that live upon the island. Located west of the Cradle of Chi-Ji, this island is empty of quests, NPCs, or known achievements. However, this emerald island is populated by over 75 frog critters… allowing any lost adventurer to understand this destination’s unofficial name: Frog Island. Multiple small wooden signs are...

Episode #75: Found off the southern Krasarang Wilds coast, atop a rocky hill on Marista Island, a strange scene awaits every Pandaren explorer. Surrounded by seven small skeletons, a large metal hatch can be discovered (coordinates 52,73). Hidden next to the hatch, a special gray-quality item called Stack of Papers, can be looted from the ground. With a vendor price of 15g, the flavor text of the Stack of Papers offers the lost adventurer a puzzle to explain the scene: “It looks like a...

Episode #74: Over the years, Azeroth fisherman have reeled in a great number of interesting items… mostly trash, yet sometimes treasure. The crowning jewel for any angler is the incredibly elusive, ultra-rare item called The 5 Ring. This ring follows in a line of similar fishing-only discoveries: The 1 Ring and The 2 Ring. The 5 Ring can only be obtained as a reward from the Dalaran fishing dailies (Marcia Chase). Amazingly rare, The 5 Ring will only appear 3%-4% of the time inside a Tiny...

Episode #73: Ezra “Phoenix” Chatterton, at the age of 10, was a heroic boy who fulfilled his dream of becoming a Blizzard game developer through the Make-A-Wish Foundation in 2007. During his magical day at Blizzard, Ezra helped design the Merciless Gladiators Crossbow of the Phoenix. Although originally appearing in game with the Season 2 Arena Set, this crossbow vanished from game with the launch of Cataclysm. However, the Merciless Gladiators Crossbow of the Phoenix reappeared in game...

Episode #72: Submerged under the Fizzle and Pozzik Steambarge in Thousand Needles, explorers of Azeroth can discover a very secluded goblin hideout. Complete with table, chairs, bubbling beverages, floating seahorse raft, and pinup calendar – this hidden room may have once been used by relaxing goblin boat-builders. Although this secret location (coordinates 77,74) has no current quest, lore connection, or NPCs; it serves as an fun hideaway for those who are lucky enough to find it. [...

Episode #71: Throughout the history of WoW, many legendary items have existed in game for players to acquire from epic quests and achievements. However, a small number of Blizzard GM (game master) items have been uncovered and prove to be the most elusive of all. Discovered in the WoW Armory, Crafty’s Pole grants the Azeroth fisherman +1000 to their fishing skill. Peep the Outland Phoenix was one of the original 310% flight speed mounts used by GMs back during the Burning Crusade days. ...

Episode #70: Isolated on a small island in the middle of Bittertide Lake, explorers can discover a mysterious glowing hatch. Found at Sholazar Basin coordinates 38,37 – this metallic trap door is not tied to a quest chain or achievements. Closer inspection, using a mouse-over, reveals the numbers “5 9 16 17 24 43″ etched on its surface. This strange hatch is a fun reference to the American TV drama called “Lost”. On the TV show about stranded island survivors, a similar sequence of six...

Episode #69 Lost Adventurers Journal: The Citizens of Lordaeron were betrayed by their Crowned Prince, Arthas. Years later, the empty courtyard of the Ruins of Lordaeron still hold their tortured souls. Explorers who venture into this dark courtyard, found above the present day Undercity, have the opportunity to find the hidden NPCs called the Lordaeron Citizens. The Lordaeron Citizen NPCs, who are invisible from view without the use of an Detect Invisibity spell, haunt these ruins for all...

Episode #68: Gillijim’s Isle was an original subzone that existed during the alpha-testing of WoW. Along with the Island of Doctor Lapidis, this small tropical island was never officially released into Azeroth. Although the island’s name may have been a playful reference to the popular tv show called Gilligan’s Island, the Blizzard developers may have initially planned this Gillijim Isle to be the starting zone for the Troll race. All reference to this forgotten island was removed with...

Episode #67: The Island of Doctor Lapidis and Gillijim’s Isle are two forgotten subzones that never made it past the early alpha-testing of World of Warcraft. Found in the fatigue waters off the southwestern Stranglethorn Vale coast, the Island of Doctor Lapidis may have been an early attempt for Troll-specific leveling (originally marked for levels 10-22). Appearing on a few official game maps, Doctor Lapidis island shared the standard STV landscape and environmental textures. Although...

Episode #66 Lost Adventurers Journal: Found in the Duskwood village of Raven Hill, a number of invisible specters haunt the shadows. The ghostly creatures, called The Unseen, are unknown to most players in Azeroth today. Only explorers who use detect invisibility (or similar) spells will have the opportunity to witness this hidden NPC in game. The Unseen live up to their name and make the old houses in Raven Hill truly haunted. This Warcraft Less Traveled episode was produced for the...

Episode #65: A handful of very rare Damp Diary Pages (Day 4, Day 87, Day 512) can be found by an avid Azeroth fisherman. Contained inside a mundane Message In A Bottle, each Damp Diary Page strings together a colorful story of a castaway, shipwrecked on an island filled with bananas. Curious explorers may question whether there is a connection between the banana island mentioned in the diary and the mysterious Tel’Abim Island. Because it appears on very few official Blizzard development...

Episode #64 Lost Adventurers Journal: A number of mysterious things are found throughout the Darkmoon Faire. Yet, explorers of all levels can acquire a pair of souvenirs that share a common theme… ponies! Learn how to earn the I Was Promised a Pony achievement for riding a special faire pony and how to fish up a rare Darkmoon Sea Pony from the boardwalk. This Warcraft Less Traveled episode was produced for the Darkmoon Herald Podcast. The Darkmoon Herald is a WoW podcast hosted by my...

Episode #63 Timecapsule: Above the present-day Undercity, the Ruins of Lordaeron have preserved its tragic history for all to discover. Years earlier, a corrupted Arthas returned home to murder his father, King Terenas. Instead of being their hero, upon his return, the celebration presented by the Lordaeron citizens was turned to sorrow. Explorers of the Ruins of Lordaeron can hear the hidden sounds of the day Arthas betrayed the Kingdom. By listening very closely to the ambient sounds,...

Episode #62 Timecapsule: A long-forgotten quest, found off the coast of Stanglethorn Vale, offers explorers a chance to rescue a level 42 Tauren Princess. Yet, this won’t be easy. Courageous heroes must first find a Message In A Bottle – buried somewhere along the sandy beach. Once in hand, the message will lead adventurers on a quest to free Princess Poobah from King Mukla, a dangerous gorilla found on Juguero Isle. If you are brave enough to complete this secret quest-line, an uncommon...

Episode #61 Timecapsule: A pair of solitary destinations can be easily overlooked in the beautiful zone of Nagrand. High up on one of its floating islands, a lone apple tree and skeleton are often considered a “Blizzard tribute” to Sir Isaac Newton. Requiring a flying mount (found southwest of the Throne of Elements), the Newton Apple Tree was one of the last-discovered secret places in all of the Outlands. The Nagrand Tomb is a second scene that fills the WoW explorer with a sense of...

Episode #60 Timecapsule: A bizarre destination is hidden high in the hills of northern Nagrand. Found at coordinates (51,14), the Nagrand Orphanage is home to an NPC troll named Challe. Visitors to this remote vista will discover that Challe is watching over a great number of babies from both factions – orc, night elf, troll, and tauren. The camp is setup with a furnished troll house, large sandbox, and a unique circular-swing (currently occupied by riding tauren infants). A closer look...