We felt like exploring a bit, so we journeyed to southern Zangarmarsh to the entrance to Terokkar Forest. Crossing the border into the hazy yet lush area, we paused momentarily to take in the local foliage. The plant life of Terokkar Forest is mostly comprised of tall, spiky-leaved trees that hold some sort of strange light source within their pointy branches that resemble giant Bonsai trees with chubby blue Christmas tree lights strung inside them.

As we crested a rise in the road, we discovered Shattrath City, the former Draenei capital of Outland (back when they called it Draenor instead of Outland). Here we found all of the things you'd expect to find in a major city and some extra amenities we hadn't expected. At Shattrath's center lies the Terrace of Light, the home of A'dal, a prophetic Naaru being shaped like an ornate luminescent ankh that protects and directs the mostly war-refugee populace. Instructed to speak with A'dal by a local townsman, we approached the huge glowing symbol within the core of Shattrath. A'dal was not particularly talkative (what with having no mouth and all), but the ancient ultra-mage Khadgar (who has an herb named after him that herbalists would be familiar with: Khadgar's Whisker) was standing nearby and took notice of us.

We'd only heard rumors of Khadgar through Azerothian lore, so to find ourselves standing in his majestic presence was nearly more than we could handle. As it turned out, he merely wanted to greet us and offer us a tour of the colossal city (though not personally, he has summoned servants to tend to these mundanities). During the tour, Khadgar's servant told us the history of Shattrath, which has been transformed by the Naaru A'dal into a sanctuary for the inhabitants of Outland. All species are welcome in Shattrath and, though assailed by demonic forces throughout its tempestuous history, may call it a home for as long as they require. Indeed, as we canvassed the enormous city, we encountered nearly every race known in World of Warcraft.

Pleased with another session of intelligence gathering, we tucked into the Shattrath Inn for some much needed rest. Tomorrow, freed of our obligations to gamers everywhere, would be packed with grinding and questing to the ever-nearing level 61. Our first taste of The Burning Crusade has us hopelessly hooked, perhaps even more than our first encounters with World of Warcraft itself.