Lemmings of the Light

Just under 5 months ago I downloaded the trial version of WoW, and just over 10 weeks ago I became a Lemming, so I thought it was time for a bit of an intro...from a completely new WoW player...

Although I'm a proud child of the Space Invader generation, I came quite late to online gaming. From about 2004 I was playing online poker as a hobby, but then in May 2006 I read about an online game that used real money as a currency and was free to download. I spent 18 happy months in Entropia Universe, having a great time, losing money, making friends, chatting to my Society (i.e. guild) mates and trying not to look too closely at my credit card statements

Then, a combination of a buggy VU, poorly-compatible hardwear (on my part), and a yearning for something a little less 'point and shoot' led me to download WoW in December 2007.....

I landed in Aszune (the recommended server) with Ryndall, my NElf Warrior, and the learning curve began. I stumbled around, following quest instructions to the letter; exploring graveyards; not understanding any of the global chat channels; exploring more graveyards; getting freaked out at how groups worked; falling off Teldrasil; trying to understand the auction; not realising that you had to walk right up to the spirit healer to get them to work; being very confused about someone whispering me when there was no-one else near me; heading back to Darnassus every half hour to empty my three bags into the bank, and constantly setting off in the wrong direction (a habit that never quite left me).

By about level 17, finding Darkshore quite tough (and not knowing how to get anywhere else), my enthusiasm started to wane a little....but then it all changed....because I wanted a pet! So, I rolled a Warlock, and Arydan was born. I remember standing in awe at the entrance to Stormwind, just looking around...but anyway....I wanted a pet...one of those mean tigers I saw folks with would do me...

Well, obviously, I realised after a few days, that I couldn't have a real pet, and I couldn't name my minions (so they would have to remain with names that sound like someone choking), but I was hooked on being a caster.

I enjoyed exploring, and seeing things through a complete newbies eyes. I was focused on getting to level 40 and my Felsteed. I generally avoided groups, actually, I completely avoided groups - most players were alts, and spoke in a WoW-speak still utterly unintelligible to me. I didn't really understand my character, my role, my strengths, nor anyone else's.

One Monday afternoon I suffered my first WoW injury....I leapt up from the desk and smacked my knee on the underside. The reason? Ding Level 40 (see 'noobest thing' below).

At this point, I logged back into Entropia Universe and stood down as Society Leader, as I knew that from a gameplay point of view, I preferred WoW. However, I also knew I couldn't play much longer without the social aspect of being in a guild. It was too lonely, so I became a Lemming

Since then I haven't looked back. I've had many happy 'firsts' in Lemmings - my first instance group (BRD), my first trip to Outland (I was glad I waited to be able to use the dark portal, and was chuffed to bits at so many Lemmings waiting for me on the other side), my first taste of BG's (with Ryndall, just a few days ago), my first of my 1,378 trips (and counting ) to Dire Maul to do the Dreadsteed quest.

Ary is still plodding along to 70, and will not be rushed, as I'll never get this feeling of discovery again. Only yesterday I rode into Netherstorm for the first time....and very nearly got killed as I was admiring the scenery...