The Scepter of the Shifting Sands was the item used to open the Gates of Ahn’Qiraj after completing an extremely long quest chain. Banging the gong meant the entire server could access both the Ruins of Ahn’Qiraj and the Temple of Ahn’Qiraj raids. The epic questline was added in Patch 1.9 but by Patch 4.0.3, you could no longer obtain it due to world changes and missing quests.
The chain began in Cenarion Hold and required you to kill certain bosses in various raids meaning a full raid of 40 individuals were needed to coordinate and collect materials. The war effort was so involved it required the participation from the entire realm and massive time commitments if an individual wanted to complete the scepter themselves.
Remember the Agent of Nozdormu badge which enabled you to loot Silithid Carapace Fragments? Each turn-in required 200 fragments rewarding 500 reputation with the Brood of Nozdormu. That meant thousands of fragments and one of the most boring grinds I have ever done in-game. In fact, I’d have to say the 500 eggs for Noblegarden was a piece of cake compared to this.
At neutral reputation, you were asked to locate the crystalline red tear outside the gates of AQ. So if you ever wondered about that red crystal sticking out of the ground, there’s your answer. Completing the quest triggers the following cutscene.
After that, Anachronos asked you to locate the 3 dragon shards located somewhere in Azeroth, specifically the [Green], [Red] and [Blue] shards with Eranikus, Vaelastrasz and Azuregos respectively holding the secrets to these shards.
The chain eventually led you to Tanaris to talk with Narain Soothfancy who gives you his turban allowing you to transform into him. These days, you won’t find Narain in his hut but his twisted reflection.
Due to the effort involved, I didn’t actually start the chain until Wrath came out but had always loved the event. Opening the gates was one of the best, most memorable events for me in-game. The huge emissary which spawned outside Cenarion Hold was so exciting to see and (try to) kill. When the Gates of AQ finally opened, the lag was pretty intense but I was anxious to try the raid. As soon as I entered AQ20, the RL asked me to continue pulls on my hunter. I was nervous but excited at the same time as they were only a couple of pulls into the place when I’d arrived. The last time I’d felt that nervous was kiting Drekk in UBRS. Back then, a bad pull or kite could mean wiping the other 9 players.
Here we had double the people so the pressure was even higher. Sadly, we were two pulls away from the first boss when I had to leave. Even today it’s one of my all-time highlights but then it sure helps when you know the raid leader. :)
One quest I absolutely hated was on The Isle of Dread in Feralas. Lord Lakmaeran required you to farm 20 Chimaerok Tenderloins from the surrounding Chimaeroks but the drop rate was horrible. I did like the reward though – Recipe: Dirge’s Kickin’ Chimaerok Chops.
These days the Isle of Dread no longer exists, but there’s a rare chimera in Silithus called Prince Lakma who still drops Chimaerok Tenderloins for the recipe.
Another annoying part was obtaining [Chapter I] from Dr. Weavil on Alcaz Island in Dustwallow Marsh. His mind control left a lot to be desired and required Coolidge’s help to complete. I found kiting him up and down the stairs worked a treat though.
I always wondered what this swirling maelstrom was for and even tried fishing from it but couldn’t stand on top of the crates to try.
After completing the components of the blue shard, Narain offered the quest to make an [Arcanite Buoy]. You’re asked to take the buoy deep off the coast of Azshara and spawn Maws, the “minnow” carrying the shard. When you kill the shark the blue shard drops. The Band of Icy Depths was one of the cooler rewards for completing this blue chain and an item still useful for exploring underwater caverns.
Although the Black Qiraji Resonating Crystal was only awarded to the first person who banged the gong on each server, it was still possible to get the feat of strength – Veteran of the Shifting Sands if you had the scepter prior to 4.0.3. All I can say is, I’m so glad I did it before it was too late. A big thanks to everyone who helped along the way, particularly Coolidge. :D
So how about you guys?
Was there any part of the chain that you loved or hated or are you just glad you completed it?
I actually was in the much larger pool of those who missed out on it.
A former guildmate worked on it and I helped when it was needed, but otherwise she did most of the work herself I believe.
This is just part of the bigger picture that was the AQ event and I just wish Blizzard would do something like it again.
Great post and gave me a huge sense of “wish I was there!” :( I also wish more of these things would happen,but not require as many players. Too much of herding turkeys IMO, or in my real life. These are some of my favorite posts, where you explain things do clearly.
@JD – Yep, I can relate to doing most of it myself. Although some of it, like summoning the shark I asked Coolidge to come, just in case I lost the buoy – the materials were a pain to get. But apparently you could just go and ask for another one if you lost it, I just didn’t want to have to bother. Also, I thought he’d just like to see that part as it was something we visited so many years ago *see pic) but when I actually summoned him he was so easy I could have soloed him. Come to think of it, I’m sure I took pics of that… must be on a different HD =/
@Matty – Thx so much :D I’ve been meaning to write this post for a while now but I knew I would have to put in the effort to make it decent. Unfortunately for me I had a fall down the stairs last night (at my brother’s house), so put myself to bed when I came home. One side of my rear end is very painful as I hit about 6 steps coming down – I expect a huge bruise from it.
I actually wish they would add another event like this. Too many things these days just focus on Guild accomplishments. There’s nothing better than bringing a whole realm together for an huge event like this imo, maybe just once every 5 or 6 years :)
My vanilla guild opened the gates on our server. I have that Agent thingie still sitting in my bags on both my original priest and druid. It reinforced my hatred of all things bug related. In fact I’ve avoided Silthius ever since :p
I love’d these long quest chains and would to see some more being added.