Sunstrider Isle to the Ghostlands

[MongoJerry]

THE ADVENTURES OF NERIAD: Silvermoon

Silvermoon. Glorious capital city of the Blood Elves!



But, wait! Who is this hiding under the bridge? Some guy named Jore'me who is designated as "Mor'rrisroe's Minion" hangs out under the entrance bridge to the city. If you talk to him, he says:

Finally, someone came down to talk to me! Want to hear some of my rhymes?

If you answer "YES!" he replies:

Walking down the street! Looking at my feet! Watching the leaves, fall off of the trees!

(Answering "NO!" just closes the dialogue box). Swoosh! This reference flew right past me. Time to go into the city itself.



Silvermoon is cut in half by the Dead Scar, the yawning path of destruction the Scourge took as they hacked and burned their way through Quel'Thelas. On the left side are the Ruins of Silvermoon which are haunted by the wretched, blood elves who have gone insane in their unquenchable addiction for magic. On the right is the side of the city that had been preserved or rebuilt.

And now for the grand tour...



The Walk of Elders, the first section of the city, has the sights that you would see in any entrance area of a city -- the guild registrar, an inn, and a few shops and trainers -- fishing, leatherworking, and a druid trainer (a tauren, of course). The Arcane Guardians such as the one pictured here patrol the city and offer encouraging words designed to boost blood elf morale such as, "Happiness is mandatory, citizen."



Also in the Walk of Elders is Worker Mo'rrisroe, who we find out is part of the Silvermoon Builders Association. So, at least we know who Mo'rrisroe is. I assume that this is a pop culture reference of some kind, but the reference is totally escaping me.



On crossing into the Royal Exchange, Neriad ran into Ambassador Kelemar, who is leading Horde representatives on a tour of the city. At the time that you join the game, the Blood Elves are not yet official members of the Horde, and the Blood Elves are still trying to convince the different factions of the Horde that they would be valuable allies, despite how much their civilization had been devastated. Here, Ambassador Kelemar is trying to reassure the troll representative, while admitting that it will take time for the blood elves to accept the trolls as allies. The blood elves have long been in conflict with the trolls of Zul'Aman, you see. I later followed them around the city to overhear their conversations. Here are some snippets:

Ambassador Kelemar: I'm afraid your ancestry is the cause, troll. Decades of fighting with your green-skinned brethren have hardened their hearts against your kind. Keep your chin up. Perhaps with time, our people will see you as the ally you are, rather than the enemy you appear to be.
Cheneta (orc): You should be used to those looks, Tatai. Do you remember the reason you were drafted into this job?
Tatai (troll): Don't ja start...
Cheneta (orc): I'm not happier about being your babysitter than you are about being watched. Just remember... it could have been worse.

Dela Runetotem (tauren): This city is very... expansive, but it seems to be lacking something. I can't put my finger on what...
Ambassador Kelemar says: We lost many of our kin in the war... so yes, the city is not perhaps as lively as it once was. We will endure, however.
Kristine Denny (undead): You're not the only victims of the Scourge. Our lady Sylvanas sympathizes with your plight.

Dela Runetotem (tauren): Tell us, Ambassador Kelemar... how do the blood elves plan to aid us, exactly?
Ambassador Kelemar says: I realize we have had somewhat differing loyalties in the past, but put your suspicions aside. Our considerable power has been pledged to your leaders in good faith.
Kristine Denny (undead): Truly an advantageous alliance.

Talai (troll): Dis place be huge. Why ja be needin' all dis space?
Ambassador Kelemar says: We lost many of our kin in the war... so yes, the city is not perhaps as lively as it once was. We will endure, however.
Talai (troll): Dis be a big waste, if ja be askin' me.
Cheneta (orc): Well, no one asked you, Tatai.
Tatai grumbles under his breath.


And so on. The Forsaken representative, Kristine Denny, is always an enthusiastic supporter of the blood elves, while the other three representatives are more reserved.



The Royal Exchange itself is gorgeous, with amber trees, towering statues, and picturesque fountains.



In the first building, Neriad found a Blood Elf Magister siphoning energy from a blood crystal. In this same building was also found the new jewelcrafting trainer. Neriad went ahead and took up jewelcrafting as her second profession, having already picked up mining in Falconwing Square. It's a neat profession to start off with. It starts you off by letting you make some simple rings along with these statuettes you put on the ground that heal you for a few seconds before disintegrating.



Also in the Royal Exchange was the city's auction house.



Along with the bank. A mailbox was also conveniently placed just outside. In fact, mailboxes seemed to be conveniently interspersed in locations throughout the city.