Never say never, but for now the Amateur’s time on Azeroth has quietly come to its conclusion.
Posthumous will continue, and I’ll keep hosting the LBR schedule as long as there’s interest. 
For the first time since he awoke dead, Liam was cursing. Pretty much every word he learned, and even a few he seemed to be making up on the spot. Not that anyone was listening to him.
It had been three days since the pirates had captured them on the path to Booty Bay. Three days since Liam got caught. By a net, no less. As the rain came down upon his cage Liam didn’t feel it, but he knew shame just the same. Liam looked up at the grey clouds and wondered how he had gotten to this moment. He had died, the circumstances of which he still had no knowledge of. He came back, and surprisingly found Drake waiting for him. They met Kheiro, and by met the Tauren literally saved their life as it were. But what was the point? To suffer?
Looking around, he took in inventory of his surroundings. Not much had changed from the last time. An Orc passed out in a nearby cage, two guards holding them, two more at the top of the stairs, and Grillsen’s door was still closed. The smug captain was so proud of himself that Liam wanted nothing more than to put an arrow up through his jawbone and watch it come out the top of his head.
“A Tauren and an undead. Should make for a sizeable coin purse.” Yeah, he was all smiles when the three of them were caught. When Drake bit one of the pirates through the net Grillsen realized he had more than a simple mutt in front of him…though where the dog was now, Liam couldn’t say. He had no idea where Kheiro was. Actually, he didn’t even know where he was. Somewhere on the ocean.
Two days earlier he remembered seeing a small port from far away as the ship set sail and headed north. Did someone mutter something about Bay? Booty Bay, what was supposed to be the original destination of he and Kheiro? It wasn’t as though Liam could even fathom what the place looked like or how to find it now anyway. He could get close, since he was always pretty good with directions once he had been somewhere.
But now he was nothing more than a prisoner. He had no idea if the friends he had in this after life were even with him anymore, though he had a strange feeling Drake was still nearby. There was no way of knowing with Kheiro, though. Liam saw the efforts made to keep him and the Orc captive, he imagined they’d have a setup tenfold for his Tauren friend.
“I don’t suppose I get to know where we’re going yet?” Liam wondered aloud to the guards.
“What it matter to ya? It’ll be there’n we get there.” Friendly as ever, that one.
“He’s still drying out from last night, don’t mind him.” The other guard had a calm voice about him. Not like Kheiro, but certainly not the kind befitting of the rest of the lot he’d seen. “The rain here on deck doesn’t help things either. But since we’re going to be a while yet, we’re crossing The Great Sea.”
Liam couldn’t help but shake his head. The last time he’d been in waters connected to the Sea, and on a boat, was coming from Menethil Harbor with the dwarf. Only this time, there was no land in sight. “Could I ask one more question of you?”
“I’m in a good mood, why not. What else would you have me answer, dead man?” Now he fit in. He had that same smirk Grillsen had. Liam had to keep his emotions in check ever so slightly.
“I just wondered if you might tell me where my friends are.” Liam spat as the ran came down harder. “I’ve not heard them or mention of them since we left.”
The guard smiled at his partner. “That big fellow, the Tauren. He’s passed out down below. Handy having an alchemist in the ranks to keep him that way.”
Liam looked away in disgust. The mighty Kheiro, bested by a simple liquid. Then again, at least he was alive. Why was a completely different question.
“Aren’t you going to ask me about that hound of yours?” Liam really didn’t like the tone he got from the guard.
“G’on. Ask’m.” The hung over one was grinning widely now and if Liam’s stomach could turn, it probably would. He looked away from the two of them, more comfortable with the unknown than whatever they were suggesting.
A hand reached through the cage and grabbed Liam by his hair, snapping his head back. The rain came pouring down on his face. “Look you undead son of a bitch. Open your eyes and see for yourself where that filthy dog is.”
Liam’s eyes were open, but the rain was pouring in. Slowly he focused through the rain. Through the bars of the cage. It still took a moment to see. Halfway up one of the sails, on an outstretched beam. Hanging from the beam was his truest friend in the world, completely limp.
It beckons me from everywhere!
Due to an overwhelming amount of e-mails and some pestering friends, I decided to do something a little bit out of the ordinary and hopefully answer some of the questions people have had. As such, I present to you “JD’s interview…with himself.”
(ego much?)
Let’s get straight to it. You left WoW about a month ago without notice to anyone, even the Mrs. Why?
There were a couple of ways to look at it. My time and how I use it has changed a fair bit lately, and that resulted in less World of Warcraft. Even since I stopped playing I haven’t even really fired up Guild Wars 2. It’s just not in my schedule right now. But getting back to WoW, I think for some time when I posted about things I wanted to do…I don’t know necessarily if it was “want” or “excuse.”
But you left without saying a word to anyone until after the fact. Why?
I love my friends. I know them well enough that many would have tried to talk me out of it had I discussed it beforehand. Some would go so far as to offer to pay for my subscription (again). That they were awesome enough to give me the Mists expansion told me that deep down, they wouldn’t let me leave necessarily. I think it would have been “here, it’s there for whenever you are.” But I knew I wouldn’t be around and to me that’s a waste of money, whether their choice or not.
Is there anything you miss?
Honestly, I just saw the post on WoWInsider about the Thunderhoof Clan. The all-Tauren guild would have been fun. Though, I think I would’ve lost out on my “vache” based names. In terms of the game itself, so far I don’t miss WoW in the slightest though. I saw Patch 5.2 and really didn’t care for it. The only thing I really miss is the people I experienced the game with. That’s honestly all.
Are you going to continue writing Posthumous even though you aren’t playing the game anymore?
I’ve said that I will continue it. I haven’t written anything because I honestly feel a bit of a disconnection at the moment. Part of it could be the time of year, or just that my attention is elsewhere, but when I look at it I’m just not “feeling it” and if that’s the case the writing isn’t what I want it to be and I won’t release something half-assed just so that it’s out there.
What about the Laid Back Raids page? It hasn’t updated in a bit.
Well, Repgrind and Healblade are definitely still carrying on the legacy so to speak. I gather that attendance has been hit and miss and wasn’t sure if they wanted me to keep posting it or if they’re just going to take it week by week. Truth be told, I personally felt like LBR had served its purpose. I liked it alot, but there was only ever a handful of folks attending. Prior to Mists, people were coming out of the woodwork to go. It was to the point where I could rarely schedule 10-man events. But, as a credit to Blizzard and all the things the current expansion offers, I think people just had too many other things to do in-game. Some were raiding, some were pet battling, some I honestly have no idea…they simply stopped even messaging me. So what I consider “in the end,” there was a small contingency of us that headed out week in and week out. But even then the numbers were low. Of course, if Rep and HB ask me to schedule more dungeons I will be happy to (even though I failed to post one when HB last asked).
You mentioned the WoWInsider article. Are you still keeping up with WoW blogs?
A few, but even then it’s somewhat sporadic. I don’t click every link like I used to, but I do try to check in here and there just to see what my friends are up to. At the same time, it’s a bit difficult to read the content sometimes not because of sentmentality or anything like that, just that I’m literally disconnected from the content.
Since you’ve been without World of Warcraft for a month now, what have you been up to?
Other hobbies when my time allows. I’ve just started a new pencil and paper RPG campaign with some folks, so I’ve been working on that as best I can. All the scatterbrain ideas I have are finally coming to life. I’ve even brought the Tauren with me, lol. I’m being a dad more than ever, and because it’s the spring I feel like I have a giant box (as in, the whole house) of stuff to go through and clean up. I’d love to offer up something more exciting (okay, I did go see P!nk in Toronto, and that was Illidan level awesome), but such isn’t really the case.
I guess the last question people might want to know is have you quit for good?
Never say never. I mean, in the last week I actually joined Facebook. I swore I would never do that, and part of me still has no idea why I did, lol. I can honestly say that I would probably come back at least once to clean up my banks and give some pets to friends (they’ll get more use than I will obviously). Also, I can see my account being activated for the purpose of a Scroll of Resurrection for someone.
Well, I suppose that covers all the pertinent stuff that people have asked me about in the past few weeks. I know leaving the way I did had a lot of folks wondering just exactly what was going on or what happened and it certainly wasn’t the kindest way to treat any of you. But I hope you understand that I had to do it that way for myself. I do miss all of you, but I feel great about stepping away.
As they came upon what was once the Great Arena of the Guru’bashi Empire (so said Kheiro, yet again), Liam stood in awe for a moment. He had not seen a gladiatorial staging area before, though he had heard stories of them when he was younger. He couldn’t help but imagine the arena full of frothing spectators and noble warriors.
“Mmmm, on occasion yes” said Kheiro. “It’s just as likely the Gurubashi were serving up prisoners as a sacrificial form of entertainment.” The Tauren surveyed the stadium before turning back toward the main road.
Thus far the trip had been a calm one. Rather, the trip had been pleasant once Liam had been calmed down and they indeed did not come upon (nor hear) any type of raptor after leaving Grom’gol. They spotted a few gorillas, which if left alone would return the favour in kind. Drake got his gruff up when they passed within relative distance of a large jungle cat. However, the cat seemed to recognize it’s disadvantage and had simply pounced back into the brush.
“Kheiro, someone’s on the road ahead.” Liam pointed at the individual roughly one hundred yards away. Drake closed his distance to his master quickly upon hearing the words, his own eyes taking in whomever was awaiting them on their path.
The Tauren stared as well. “Human. It’s a male…can’t tell much else from the shadows and this distance.” He paused a moment, undoing the strap that held his massive axe in place. “Never hurts to proceed…cautiously.”
As they narrowed the gap between them and the individual, Liam, Drake, and the Tauren were all on guard. Liam had two arrows between his boney fingers, though his bow appeared loose in his arm. Kheiro did nothing to hide his hesitation as they approached, but noticed first the man was a tattered mess at best.
The human looked to be of middle age, though was incredibly worse for wear. His shirt and britches were tattered and hanging from him. He was walking at a snail’s pace and limping quite visibly. When he saw Liam and the others, he raised a hand which shook nearly as much as his voice. “I…I..am…unarmed…Please…I mean no trouble.”
Liam and Kheiro stared at him, and exchanged uncertain glances. Drake continued to let out a low growl as the man approached them, now pleading as he saw their weapons still at the ready.
“I’M HARMLESS! I HAVE NOTHING! I wish to cause you no trouble, but if you have even the slightest water to share I would be grateful. Otherwise, just point me to the nearest town!” He was panting at this point, nearly down to one knee. Liam figured it took most of his energy getting that worked up.
Kheiro lowered his axe towards the man slightly. “What has lead you to such a destitute state of affairs?”
The man sighed. “Shipwrecked. Was being transported to Stormwind when it hit in an instant. Damn boat never had a chance.”
“What do you mean you were being transported?” Kheiro’s brow furrowed slightly. One had to look very closely to even notice. “And where are the others from this ship?”
“I don’t know. Many I saw were dead. I don’t know if it was all of them…I can’t even say how I’m here.” He caught his hands on his knees and regained himself after a few moments. “Look, truth be told…I was a smuggler. Not a very good one mind you, because I got caught. Myself and some of the other passengers were being taken to Stormwind.”
Drake barked and Liam knew the dog was thinking the same thing. One survivor seemed too good to be true. Not that Liam was any expert on life and death given his current state of existence. But he knew if there was still hair on the back of his neck, it would be on end right now. Still, the man did look to be on last legs. “I don’t believe him,” Liam said to the Tauren, “but I can’t deny he looks like some water would do him good.”
Kheiro closed his eyes a moment before nodding in agreement. He put his axe on end and untied his canteen from his belt. The man reached out for it, but Kheiro merely placed it on the ground in front of him. “I do not mean to be insulting, but I feel comfort in keeping my hands on my axe the closer you get to me. It will maintain an understanding.”
Liam was laughing in the back of his mind. So the Tauren did have a sense of humour…even if it was an imposing one just the same. Still, the dog wasn’t laughing or even backing down in the slightest which kept Liam equally as alert. The situation was not sitting well, and he knew Kheiro knew it too.
He watched the man practically extend his arm out of his shoulder just to reach the water without getting too close to the Tauren. He sat flat once the canteen was in his hands and relished the feeling as water flowed into his body.
“Thank you. This is quite refreshing. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t come along.” It was a miracle he could get the words out with how fast he was drinking the water. Liam shook his head as the poor fool even choked a moment from drinking it too fast.
In that moment, Kheiro let his guard down as well and the tattered man knew he had his moment. He kicked his heel into the ground and in a flash pushed himself forward and drove the toe blade in just below the knee of the mighty Tauren. Liam’s giant ally dropped to one knee almost immediately, having to use the axe to catch himself.
Instinctively Liam had the two arrows in his hand knocked and was ready to let both into his target when the net toppled him and Drake at the same time. Before any of them could swear about what happened, they were surrounded.
“This would be the moment where laying down your weapons would be the wisest course of action.” The tattered man in dire need of water moments ago stood over Liam and his comrades, a wide grin on his face.
Why is that commercial suddenly relevant again? I’m playing Liouxpold yesterday, as he approaches 85. I hit the old LFD and after a fair bit of time, Stonecore comes up. I’ve run that thing dozens of times and could do it with my eyes closed at this point. So what made this run different?
I was in a great group for this to happen. We pretty much all jaw-dropped when that popped up. It was the first time any of us had seen it drop. I don’t remember what I rolled, but the healer aced it with a pure 100. We were happy for her just the same.
Bottom line, it’s the little things like this that give you just a hint of hope and makes you obsess come back for more.
If each of those bubbles was a thought, there probably still wouldn’t be nearly enough in the picture. People ask me where I’ve been as of late, and I can’t say it didn’t come without fair warning that I’d grow quiet. Some suspected I had sent my laptop off for repairs, but that’s not the case. It remains wired to a television upstairs, which actually works alright. It’s just near impossible some days to read the chat window.
I’ve been asked a little bit on my thoughts about 5.2 and I’ll try to articulate a post when I actually care. That harshness isn’t directed at Blizzard or the content or anything like that…I just…well my interest in a lot of things lately (including WoW) is there one moment and gone for many more a heartbeat later. So when WoW’s not of interest, it can be hard to want to even write about it. So aside from the Transmog Contest, I really haven’t had much to say for some time now.
It’s weird. One moment I want to race change my Worgen Warrior to a Pandaren, and the next I’m ready to cancel my subscription. I haven’t, and in the near future I won’t. There are times when I very much want to hop into Azeroth, and so I’m not turning my back on it. I’m sure a few of you have seen me pop on here and there for moments at a time…and yet I never logged in for the Darkmoon Faire last week and aside from the first two days, completely skipped the Lunar Festival.
That brings me to Laid Back Raids. With everything going on (and yes, I know exactly why the things I’ve talked about are the way they are), by the time an LBR comes around, I can be completely exhausted. I’ve pushed through it most nights, but it takes more effort not to (unfairly) snap on people over trivial comments or matters that come with booting through a raid. Trust me, for those wondering, you never genuinely bother me in the slightest. As the ex always tells us, “it’s not you, it’s me.” That’s the case.
But, LBR is important. It’s a tonne of fun and there are always people up for it on some level. As such, I’m continuing to schedule them and will even show up I’m sure. My appearances are just going to be sporadic for a little while (much like my WoWing in general). With that in mind, I asked both Healblade and Repgrind if they would be contacts and both graciously accepted. Their contact information is on the LBR page, and I can’t thank the two of them enough for looking after things in my absence, especially when the two of them can almost always be counted on to be in attendance and bring both wisdom and laughs. Kinda suits the LBR model (not that I ever bestowed much wisdom).
I’m trying to work on more chapters of Posthumous. Yesterday’s was honestly written ages ago, but I kept forgetting to pull the image from my computer. Yes, I’m obsessive like that. I couldn’t publish it without that little raptor image. I’ll see what I can do about posting more soon. It’s a matter of getting the writing bug and the time to dedicate to writing it.
Saw an article that Trivial Pursuit is putting out a WoW edition later this year. That’s exciting. Combines two things I happen to enjoy a lot, and Mrs. Amateur is a trivia addict (and an Illidan damn wealth of knowledge to boot). I can see it ending up in our collection in no time…barring an elaborate price tag. Personally, I’d like to see them replace the pie with a generic character that has spots for Legendary weapons instead of pie slices. That would be sweet.
Speaking of Legendaries…I think I got the quest that starts Tarecgosa’s Staff with Tum. I doubt I’ll get past that first part, much like Siori’s daggers. I know folks were willing to help me, but if I’m not on much…let alone when others are, it’s kinda hard to complete. But, I’m ok with that.
I guess ok is probably the best way to sum things up all around.
