Phantomella's Place

Mwumwugrlbarg!

2012-01-06T21:50:00.006Z

Mwuwumahgab gwah! [Tranlator engaged] Attention, murlocs of Azeroth! Forget the naga - they are back... All murlocs should be on immediate alert for any sig*unstealth*slice*thud*.

[Administrivia]

2011-01-08T23:00:00.002Z

By request I'm leaving the blog online, but be aware that it almost certainly won't get updated, and links to external sites may expire. Happy reading, -P :)

Goodbye

2011-01-08T10:48:00.004Z

I'm sorry to go, but I won't be playing WoW any more. It's a combination of things - I've been unable to get past the loading screen for some time, a problem a lot of people seem to be having and Blizzard are aware of, yet seem incapable of providing decent feedback through the Tech Support forum (at least the EU one). I also really dislike Stormwind now. It's not just that the scenery's changed, although I have to say I preferred the old SW (and not just the tree), but it's so crowded and you often can't see anything (even questgivers or mailboxes at times) for flying mounts, especially drakes, being used as ground mounts. Dailies are even more of a drag without access to the fixed portals.

Ultimately though, I'm tired of doing more-or-less the same old things in different locations, and I think the community feeling has gone from WoW in the last couple of years; basically it's just got too big and impersonal now. Anyway, Gothfan's got to 70, 'mortis to '81 (and 'mella not far behind) - that's good enough for me.

A *HUGE* hug and thank you to those of you who have made the last 5+ years so enjoyable - I can't possily name everyone but (in no order) Goth & Val, Queez & Ik, GB, Fob, Cybertron, Hugor, Holydude, Entern, Jelly, Hobbers, Arona, Khaéla, Freefall & Sapper, Rockdoom - who got me into the Burning Dementors then gave the guild to me, thank you all. If I didn't name you, sorry, it doesn't mean anything other than my memory is bad.

Absolutely no thanks to the murlocs (apart from giving my phone a rather unique ringtone...).

My account actually expires in a couple of weeks, but I won't be trying to log in again, so this, as far as WoW goes, is goodbye.

Hmm, just as I typed that sentence a post-it note fell off the monitor. It says "WoW 6 Aug 2005 - Blog 12/2005" That was when my game account was created and the blog started. I'll leave the blog here for a while, but it will be deleted in due course.

/hug /kiss /bye. Oh, and /rude Melris for old times' sake ;)

What the...?

2010-12-28T07:11:00.002Z

It's unusual enough that Gothfan dinged 69 and 70 in a day, but now... Downhere has dinged 45, despite being a banker who never goes far from SW/IF. She's been doing fishing and cooking dailies, apparently. Gratz to her :)

Gnelf powa!

2010-12-27T14:57:00.002Z

Finally managed to get on today and Gothfan has excelled himself - he's dinged 69 and 70, and picked up his fast gryph :D We're stunned, I tell ya...

Bleurgh

2010-12-26T20:33:00.001Z

Well, since Cata came out the majority of my experience in WoW has been staring at the loading screen's full blue bar and shouting at it to actually get to the game. Come on, Blizzard, fix this... /sigh

Deathly ding!

2010-12-22T20:31:00.001Z

Gratz to Phantomortis, whose regimen of dailies has made her the first Phanto to ding 81 :)

Look out, Northrend...

2010-12-18T15:38:00.002Z

Yes, he's hit 68...

Erm, 'dreya?

2010-12-15T15:40:00.001Z

Something you want to tell us?

Wowsers

2010-12-13T23:01:00.003Z

Apparently Cataclysm sold 3.3 million copies in the first 24 hours; that's half a million more than WoLK did in the comparable period, according to Blizz's press release.

Hmmmmm.....

2010-12-09T17:32:00.002Z

The ferocious Gnelf...

2010-12-07T22:04:00.000Z

...is now 67. Northrend is getting worried ;)

It is mine. Oh yes, it is. :D

2010-12-06T23:44:00.002Z

Poll

2010-12-06T18:48:00.000Z

The last poll "In general, do you think the recent class changes are good or bad?" drew 75% 'No real difference' and 25% 'Bad'. New poll soon.

He's 2/3 evil... ;)

2010-12-04T18:52:00.003Z

Just kidding, GF, and gratz on hitting 66 today - to celebrate he went off to Toshley's and, being thoughtful of Meanie's family, took a picture of himself with a burning gnome... [Um, GF? Meanie *is* a gnome...]

December's wallpapers

2010-12-04T18:43:00.002Z

This month's wallpaper is the revamped Feathermoon Stronghold - one of my favourite fishing spots in its original location, sadly now ruined and infested by naga, but the Kaldorei have rebuilt Feathermoon on the mainland coast opposite the original.

Feathermoon Stronghold
December 2010

I had this wallpaper ready, but then Blizzard pre-empted me by having the Cataclysm earlier than I was expecting, so here it is as a bonus, and a reminder of less troublesome times.

The Calm Before the Storm
December 2010 (Bonus)

Blasted murlocs!

2010-11-30T17:42:00.004Z

I've never been particularly fond of naga, although up on Quel'Danas they have been enslaving murlocs, and now Gothfan tells me they're at it in the Blasted Lands too! There's a new coastline there and the naga are using the local murlies to move something to their shrine. This murloc chief's ghost (no... for once his condition is nothing to do with me) wants help to free his tribe. Gothfan, of course, laughed at him, /ruded and went on his way :D

Parker!

2010-11-30T12:34:00.003Z

One of the low-level quests all the Phantos across realms (well, except the Hordies) did was bringing Guard Parker his lunch from Darcy, his daffodil-disliking girlfriend in Lakeshire. He was a guard, all alone at Three Corners, the boundary between Elwynn, Redridge and Duskwood. I passed through on my travels yesterday and discovered not only a new watch tower, but Parker has finally been promoted! He's now Watch Captain Parker, *and* after all those lunches he's finally married to Darcy, with a daughter, both of whom are in the tower with Parker.

Also on my travels I noticed that all the portals in both Dalaran and Shattrath have been replaced by class trainers. Why in Elune's name have they done that? It's going to take much longer to travel across the worlds now. Elsewhere, the mighty Gothfan is now 64, gratz to him!

Advance notice: December's wallpaper will be late, as I've switched to a shiny new PC and am currently transferring rather a large (~0.5Tb) amount of things between external HDs, including the template. *BUT* there will be two wallpapers :)

I am very annoyed...

2010-11-25T23:52:00.003Z

I could cope with the redesigned base round the tree, but they've stuck a damn great noticeboard in front of it!

Isn't he adorable?

2010-11-23T00:02:00.003Z

Gothfan dinged 63 tonight, then went off to do the Pilgrim's Bounty quests, picking up this outfit (and a number of achievements) along the way. The only one he didn't do was the one where he had to sit at a table. For some reason this always resulted in a graphics glitch. :(

While the taller Phantos who have passed through Zangermarsh love it, GF has found one minor problem, although being resourceful he's trying to use it to his advantage. Any passing Fen Strider will - he reckons - think to itself "Oh, that's just an old helmet floating on the water" only to be surprised by a ferocious Gnelf attack. Yes, his innate shadowmeld might not have developed while he was growing up with his adoptive family, but he reckons he's a Stealth Gnelf given the right water level...

...and

2010-11-11T08:44:00.000Z

...now he's 62:D He's ferocious when he wants to be, I tell ya. ;)

Gnelf Powa!

2010-11-08T00:13:00.001Z

...and now he's 61 ;)

Can it be?

2010-11-07T21:02:00.004Z

Is that...? Has he...? Yes! Huge gratz to our very own Gnelf warrior and former banker Gothfan who dinged 60 tonight - it may not be the top level any more but it still feels like a special occasion; GF is the *6th* family member on Runetotem to reach 60 :D He's now rampaging around Zangermarsh and says he's halfway to 61...

The last poll results were: 75% have helped retake the Echo Isles or Gnomeregan, 25% have not. New poll soon.

Oh, it's November...

2010-11-07T21:01:00.001Z

Sorry for the delay; here's this month's wallpaper (also available via the link on the right) -

Darnassus
November 2010

So what's been going on in Phantoworld?

2010-11-03T23:32:00.007Z

Well, there were sightings of a Tauren in Darnassus the other day, riding a mistsaber no less... Yes, an Orb of Deception dropped for Gothfan while he was farming the frostsabers up in Winterspring for the Shy Rotam quest. In fact, so amazed was he (I bought mine on the AH a few years ago for the then-pricely sum of 100g) that he'd hearthed back to Everlook with the intention of resuming the quest later before he noticed that the sacred saber meat had actually dropped for him at some point too... Gratz to GF for also hitting 59 :D

Phantomortis was helping out Greatbritain's human cousin, UK, a warlock, the other day - she ran some quests with him in Redridge then did a Deadmines run with him (the first time she'd been in the mines herself) and got him to 20, so he could get his horse :D

Speaking of Greatbritain, I'd popped down to Goldshire for some (relative) peace and quiet during the first night of the cultist quest chain in Stormwind when I saw this... yes, GB was in disguise and wearing a sandwich board - and not one advertising free beer night at the Blue Recluse... ;)

I finally got my 50th small pet, and the Shop Smart, Shop Pet ... Smart achievement, for which I was sent this little guy, Stinker. Apparently he falls in love with any passing black or bombay cats...:D

Blood Gnelf??

2010-10-28T09:07:00.003Z

No, I don't know what he was doing there, but I'm guessing the Sin'dorei weren't too happy... ;)

[RL] Another scam attempt...

2010-10-24T20:06:00.003Z

Just received mail headed "Battle.net Account Locked - Action Required" directing me to log in to "reactivate" my account at an address on 88ip.net. Fortunately it was sent to my personal email address, not the one I use for battle.net so it didn't need too much header checking ;) Just a reminder though, if you get similar mail, check it *very carefully*; the 'From:' header is easily faked.

Ding ding!

2010-10-20T00:46:00.005Z

Gothfan has excelled himself, using all the candy buckets on Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms coupled with a rampage or two around Winterspring to ding 57 *and* 58 on Tuesday. He's now been ordered (by our family physician Dr Mixilpixil no less) to go lie down until the sugar rush subsides...

Well that doesn't happen every day...

2010-10-18T20:20:00.003Z

So it's Hallow's End, and Downhere, being helpful (and fond of candy) decided to head down to Goldshire to assist in putting out the Headless Horseman's fires. In doing so she dinged 44... I think she was happy, or - possibly - had just eaten all her candy ;) Gz, Down.

Gnelf go [pause][pause] ding!

2010-10-15T20:59:00.002Z

Gratz to Gothfan who dinged 56 tonight, despite some major sound lag this patch seems to have introduced.

Avast!

2010-10-11T17:41:00.002Z

It was a nautical meeting when Admiral Downhere (me!) met up with Bloodsail Admiral Greatbritain in SW earlier - and being a pirate he brought some grog (always a good idea with the Phantos *giggle*).

Fear the Gnelf!

2010-10-06T18:25:00.003Z

I dinged 55 last night, while up in Everlook doing Umi's yeti quest chain, but that wasn't the best thing. Oh no, indeed not! The last part of the chain has you scaring three of her friends with a mechanical yeti, and look what Legacki called me!

Yes, she called me a Meanie! I take that as a great compliment, what with my dearest (if rather absent*) Meaniehead being a most fearsome (and cute) Death Knight and all!

* Her family are apparently threatening her with a sparkling horse... Death Knights (and their mounts) *DO NOT SPARKLE*. Mind you, our family Death Knight Phantomortis has a skeletal flying mount and none of us can figure out how it flies - although Downhere was about to take a spanner to it until 'mortis stopped her...

Cataclysm

2010-10-04T15:29:00.001Z

Blizz have announced the release date for Cataclysm - December 7.

It's October...

2010-10-03T13:11:00.002Z

...and here's this month's wallpaper (also available with the others from the link, right). It's Auberdine, pre-cataclysm.

Auberdine
October 2010

The latest poll results were: 70% play for an average of 1-2 hours per day, 10% for 3-4 hours, 10% for 5-6 hours and 10% don't play WoW. New poll soon.

I'll fetch the comfy chair...

2010-09-27T21:32:00.001Z

I think the Herald needs to listen...

Chug! Chug! Chug!

2010-09-20T12:26:00.003Z

Yesh, it'sh Brewfesht time again; Down and I have hit the fairground already... hic! :D

For Gnomeregan (again!)

2010-09-19T01:09:00.003Z

Over on Shadowsong Draenei huntress Phantasmaga was recruiting gnomes to help out the High Tinker when she recruited our favourite Ironforge NPC, Sraaz, the pie guy and target of the [Flirt With Disaster] achievement (as well as any passing Phanto's buffs or cheers). He was just hanging out in Tinker Town at the time, and although not selling his wares still asked "Are you making a special purchase?" when clicked.

The Beast!

2010-09-17T20:18:00.003Z

Noticed the other day just how evil Hogger is... look at his full health:

Elsewhere, it's gratz to Phantodreya who dinged a druidic 52 up in Felwood :)

For Gnomeregan!

2010-09-15T21:11:00.006Z

Haven't been on for a week or so, and discover that I missed the Faire in Elwynn... :( Anyway, the Phantos love gnomes [Phantohernea, especially] so we all rushed to the aid of High Tinker Mekkatorque to do what we could to aid his retaking of Gnomeregan - the sub-80s, including banker Downhere, did the basic training, probes and speech testing, while the five 80s all also helped in the assault. Gothfan, although not actually a gnome, was of course raised by Downhere and KT's family, so he was more than happy to help the gnomes. This is Phantohernea, returning from dropping probes into the vents -

I have to say that while the assault was unsucessful, there was one benefit - I got a gorgeous purple cloak to go with my casual wear :D -

The lower levels also benefitted by getting a good deal of XP from their quests - Downhere says she's now one bar off 43, so I reckon she'll be off to Brewfest when it starts... Warlock Knickerthief and warrior Gothfan got close to dinging from helping out, and after some grinding have now dinged 46 and 54, respectively. Gratz to them.

GF went off to Valiance Keep in search of some skills training -

Knickerthief, with his five recruits for the cause. Gnomeregan, that is, not his "other" job...

Call My Bluff

2010-09-03T10:42:00.002Z

This month's wallpaper is another one from the Hordies over on Bronzebeard - it's Thunder Bluff from the Orgrimmar airship, available below, and, along with all the other wallpapers, via the link in the right-hand column.

Thunder Bluff
September 2010

The Gnelf and RealID

2010-08-30T19:15:00.001Z

Gratz to Gothfan, now 53 :) The results of the RealID poll were 88% thought it's bad, 11% good. New poll soon.

Anniversaries

2010-08-21T11:26:00.002Z

Just realised that this month is my 5th anniversary of running round Azeroth doing stuff *cough* [We think she means sitting in Stormwind not doing anything - rest of family][Lashings of Murloc Fin Soup for supper to celebrate then ... -mella]. :) My game account was started on August 8, 2005, while the blog itself started in December.

'Mortis

2010-08-17T18:52:00.003Z

Gratz to my Death Knight sister Phantomortis who, in the course of doing dailies, is now rather appropriately exalted with the Knights of the Ebon Blade and immediately bought some new shoes from the quartermaster...

Meanwhile, a brief diversion into RL, ooh ooh ooh ooh; I have this on preorder, and if I don't get it, the shop might as well be murlocs... ;)

Druidic ding!

2010-08-11T17:17:00.003Z

Gratz to Phantodreya who dinged 50 last night, and is closing in on a certain Gnelf... ;)

Update: Wednesday night she dinged 51... mad dingers, my family...

August's wallpaper

2010-08-02T18:46:00.002Z

As she spends so much time there, this month's wallpaper is Death Knight Phantomortis in Icecrown, with the Skybreaker and Orgrim's Hammer.

Icecrown
August 2010

Dings all round!

2010-07-29T16:29:00.002Z

It's gratz to Gothfan, now 52, and druids Phantodreya (Runetotem), 49 and Meya (Shadowsong) who went from 16 to 18 last night.

87% of respondees to the last poll have titles for their mains, 12% don't (1% discrepency due to rounding). New poll is up :)

OK, who let him out?

2010-07-16T18:56:00.004Z

Our very own Gnelf Gothfan is 50. What's the first thing he did when he dinged? Yep, he raced off to Darny clutching a load of runecloth and morrowgrain and finally got to exalted so he could get his saber, and doesn't he look cute? [ITYM fierce and scary! -GF] ;)

Rather annoyingly though, the enchanting trainer in Valiance Keep (and presumably Valgarde if there's one there) can only teach Grand Master, not Master, so despite meeting the level and skill requirements he'll have to wait around another eight levels with his skill at 300/300 until he can go to Honor Hold. Still, at the rate he's going, that'll probably be tomorrow ;D

Gnelf Ding (Again)

2010-07-14T23:00:00.004Z

I think Gothfan's got the Mad Dinger disease. he spent tonight charging round Felwood, dinged 49 and is about 8 bars towards level 50. Oh, and he learned the Crusader weapon enchant and replaced the fiery on both of his blades.

As he's now out of rested xp I suspect he'll be relaxing in his room for a while, or at least until someone lets him out... ;)

More Gnelf Gnews!

2010-07-14T11:29:00.003Z

It's gratz to Gothfan, who rampaged round Tanaris and did the Thirsty Goblin chain last night, dinging 48 in the process. After his warrior training he became the second member of the family after me to voluntarily learn First Aid, seeing as he doesn't have any healing skills (Phantowyn, the other warrior, is a herbalist so can call on that); he got his skill up to 369 and Frostweave bandages. Just for good measure he also went off to Theramore and /ruded VanHowzen just so the "doctor" never forgets us ;)

Noob!

2010-07-11T16:35:00.002Z

The Noob has a good take on the RealID forum fiasco... "[..] We've just learned that the hostage is a Blizzard employee who published his real name online! The kidnappers say that they are willing to swap him for purplez, whatever that means."

The Noob Comic

Blizzbook...

2010-07-09T23:07:00.002Z

Looks like Blizzard's attempt to make the WoW forums and RealID a gamers' social network are crashing and burning; perhaps they should have looked at the privacy trouble Facebook (a real social network) has had of late.

Blizzard backs down over gamers using real names [BBC]

Gnelf Gnews

2010-07-08T14:31:00.005Z

Having done the last 27 levels as an arms-specced warrior Gothfan has decided to respec to fury - the same as Phantowyn. There wasn't much choice for him at the AH but he bought himself a 1h sword and 1h axe then rushed off to Ironforge to learn how to wield the axe (he already had about 120 skill with 1h swords)... Oh, and he gave himself fiery weapon enchants on both. He's a happy gnelf, and Meaniewiggles looks impressed, as ever :D\

Update! Downhere bought me a [Bloodrazor] so I'm dual swords now! /flex -GF

Moonding!

2010-07-04T22:30:00.003Z

Gratz to my druidic sister Phantodreya who spent some time this evening terrorising the ogres and other mobs in Tanaris with His Queeziness, and then dinged 48 later on, getting herself some [Noggenfogger Elixir] in the process :D

The Phantos' Picnic

2010-06-30T21:29:00.004Z

It's wallpaper time, and one day Gothfan will learn to stay back from the campfire when Disco's lighting it... Don't worry, Meanie, 'dreya was on hand to heal him :)

At the Phantos' picnic Gothfan forgot to back away from the campfire when Disco was lighting it...
July 2010

Ding ding ding

2010-06-28T14:30:00.003Z

It's gratz to arms warrior Gothfan and druid Phantodreya, now both 47, and priest Phantovesta, now 45 :)

The last poll results were 70% hairy (Worgen), 20% greenie (Goblin) and 10% both. New poll soon.

Phantomortis

2010-06-22T21:47:00.002Z

Since hitting level 80, 'mortis has undertaken the bulk of the family's dailies, which has also raised her rep with various factions; tonight she reached Revered with the Knights of the Ebon Blade (quite appropriate given her Death Knightiness) and got herself a new 2h sword - a [Runeblade of Demonstrable Power]. Gz to her :)

So...

2010-06-17T06:59:00.008Z

A fair bit to report. Gratz to our own ['mella is handed a piece of paper] "underwear liberation officer" warlock Knickerthief, who just dinged 45 :)

Death Knight Phantomortis has been busy since hitting 80 - she's doing most of the family dailies and raising her rep with both the Silver Covenant and Ebon Blade. While fishing in Dalaran for the Disarmed daily she noticed that the [prison moonshine] bottles are either half full or half empty. Frankly we don't prefer which they are, it just means there's room for more moonshine :D

'Mortis also lent a hand to druid Kissies the other day, between them completing a number of the group quests Kissies needed doing in Dragonblight. Then, being a Phanto, and based in Shattrath (though hearthed to Dalaran) it was only a matter of time before 'mortis encountered L70ETC and had a boogie... she's a Phanto alright ;)

Finally, and most importantly, there was an übersexy disturbance in the Force the other day - yes, my dearest Disco appeared in Stormwind, as did (separately) Gothclaw :D That's Disco's rather large corehound pup behind us.

June's wallpaper

2010-06-01T20:23:00.002Z

This month I've given over the wallpaper to Phantomortis to celebrate dinging 80. :) It's available below and, with the other wallpapers, on the link in the right-hand colum.

Phantomortis celebrated hitting 80 in a truly Phanto way.
June 2010

Deathwing has nothing to do with it...

2010-05-29T00:15:00.004Z

It's official; Azeroth as we know it is ending, and despite rumours to the contrary, it's not because of Deathwing. It's because there are now *5* level 80 Phantos on Runetotem - that's half the RT family (not to mention Queezcat and various ghouls)! Yes, it's gratz to Phantomortis, the first Phanto Death Knight to hit 80, doing it in style by grinding Vrykul, although Chilly was looking the other way; silly penguin :)

...but not for long if I get there first ;)

2010-05-26T22:47:00.003Z

Murlocs discovered off Tasmania! [National Geographic]

Death ding!

2010-05-25T22:16:00.003Z

Gratz to Death Knight Phantomortis, who hit 79 tonight and got a [Tabard of the Ebon Hold]; she's had a haircut to ease confusion with a certain Kaldorei Phanto rogue in the same tabard...;)

Gnelf Gothfan would also like to report that his enchanting skill is now at 297; he can't train Master enchanting until he hits level 50, but knowing him, that's not far off :)

Need a mage...

2010-05-23T16:07:00.002Z

For those of you with exams imminent, Peter probably doesn't have the right answer... [Link is to foxtrot.com]

Of course, some of us are married to übermages anyway *drool* :D

Pandaren!

2010-05-22T21:39:00.003Z

After doing the Dalaran fishing daily yesterday I received a painting in the loot bag - not Marcia's new age daubs but a [Fantasy Portrait]; unfortunately there's no way to view it, but going on the bag icon, it's a Pandaren, possibly Chen himself! My little Pandaren Monk was very impressed :D

Getting closer...

2010-05-22T07:13:00.003Z

Phantomortis hit 78 yesterday, gratz to her. :)

The poll "Have you ever talked to a GM?" got a 100% 'yes' response. New poll soon.

During the meanwhilst...

2010-05-14T20:34:00.004Z

...it's gratz to Phantowyn who finally got her Scryers tabard, despite some suspiciously bot-like paladins up at one of the manaforges:

The Phantomortis rampage rumbles on - she's now dinged 76 and 77. Gratz to her :)

Updated family pic :)

2010-05-14T20:26:00.002Z

Back row, l-r, paladin Phantargua, death knight Phantomortis, Discohorror (mage and Phantomella's husband), rogue Phantomella, priest Phantovesta, druid Phantodreya, hunter Phantohernea, Jellyman (warrior and Phantohernea's husband), warrior Phantowyn, Knickerthief's succubus Helnea; front row, l-r, Phantohernea's combat pet Queezcat, rogue/banker Downhere, warrior Gothfan, warlock Knickerthief.

A Death Knight to Remember...

2010-05-04T12:42:00.006Z

Since coming over to Runetotem Phantomortis has picked up artisan and cold weather flying, an explorer's tabard from Brann Bronzebeard and done all three orphan quests (although I'm sorry to say she didn't throw anyone off the dam), and now she's dinged 75 :D Gratz to her :)

I'll be updating the family photo over the next few days now that 'jinn and 'mortis have swapped realms.

It's Children's week...

2010-05-02T13:57:00.003Z

It's Children's Week again and, yeah, those kids always want to see the Stonewrought Dam... yes, it's this month's wallpaper, available here and on the wallpapers page, linked, right. :)

After years of pestering, Phantomella decided to show the orphan just how high the Stonewrought Dam was...
May 2010

Migrations

2010-05-01T21:32:00.001Z

Sometime over the next week or so shaman Phantojinn will be heading over to Shadowsong while Death Knight Phantomortis (now 74; gratz to her) will be coming to Runetotem once 'jinn has moved :)

Meanwhile, over on Shadowsong...

2010-04-27T20:26:00.006Z

...it's gratz to my unholy Death Knight cousin Phantomortis who just reached exalted with the Shattered Sun, got her first tabard (she isn't in a guild) and dinged 73, doing it all despite some, at times unbelievably bad, lag :)

Oh, and more on Gothfan back on Runetotem - appararently the Sentinels had put out a worldwide alert for him after he tried joyriding a mistsaber around Teldrassil despite only being revered with Darnassus. Fortunately Tyrande owed me a favour (a long time ago she had a hot date with Malfurion, wanted to wear a necklace he'd given her but had lost the key to her jewellery box, so a certain rogue picked the lock for her); once she found out who he was she had him released into my custody; if he does it again, though, she said he'll be thrown off Teldrassil, head first...

The Gnelf...

2010-04-22T00:25:00.003Z

Gratz to Gothfan, who hit 46 tonight, though I'm not entirely sure the Stormwind guards were giving him an escort for his protection... I tried asking him at dinner just what he'd done, and he became suspiciously interested in his bowl of [Murloc Fin Soup]... perhaps I should get 'dreya to sit on him some more ;)

And the least favourite class is...

2010-04-18T22:12:00.002Z

...shaman, with 33% of the vote, followed by mage (26%), death knight (13%) and paladin, priest, rogue and warrior (6% each). Nobody hates druids or hunters, it seems :D New poll soon.

...and there she dings!

2010-04-18T22:04:00.003Z

Gratz to the shadowy one; yes, priestess Phantovesta has dinged 44 too, so Downhere is now the junior member of the family [But the one with all the money and there'll be a sweeties vendor in SW soon! -Down] :)

44 levels of undie stealing...

2010-04-18T00:45:00.004Z

Gratz to our family warlock, the one and only (thank goodness there's only one) Knickerthief, who just dinged 44 down in Tanaris, and celebrated by riding up to Stormwind from Booty Bay, killing Stitches on the way, but deciding to leave the abominable undies alone...

As you'll see from the family leaderboard, right, only priest Phantovesta is now the same level as banker Downhere; once she dings Down' will be the lowest level in the Runetotem family.

Moonkin ding!

2010-04-13T06:36:00.004Z

Gratz to 'dreya who's now 44, and unflattened Gothfan so he could enchant her new gear :)

[Update 15/4: Moonkin go ding again... :D]

April's wallpaper

2010-04-01T13:53:00.003Z

This month's wallpaper is available below and on the wallpapers page; it's a salutory lesson for a Gnelf...

Gothfan came to regret suggesting that Phantodreya should lay off the Noblegarden eggs...
April 2010

Here we go again...

2010-03-30T15:43:00.002Z

Another phishing email purportedly from Blizz; most notable for the fact that the plaintext version tells me I can contact customer services on a 1-800- number (ie US) or if I'm in Asia/Australia... and the idiots sent this to a .co.uk email address. In the html version the link for "password verification" is to worldofwarnraft.com [sic; don't go there], which, not surprisingly is in China.

Gnelf Power!

2010-03-17T01:16:00.007Z

Gratz to Gothfan, who dinged 45 tonight, and reached 11841/21000 revered rep with Darnassus! He's not expecting to reach exalted until he gets to 50 and has the repeatable runecloth quest, but he's doing very well so far :D

On the way to 45 tonight he did the [Whiskey Slim's Lost Grog] and [The Super Snapper FX] quests (lvl 44 GF vs lvl 48 Gammerita = one dead turtle and a, surprisingly, still alive and remarkably healthy Gnelf) down on the Hinterlands shore, having taken the family's traditional route down, jumping off the Overlook Cliffs waterfall into the water below!

Over on Shadowsong one of the family Death Knights, Phantomortis, dinged 70 earlier, and is now doing Shattered Sun dailies to get herself her first tabard (being unguilded). I'm adding her and a few other significant family members to the rankings list on the right; I'm not adding all of them, just the more active ones, speaking of whom, Downhere's cousins are over there; rogue Minimella and introducing the mage Tonkella :D

Also over there, our banker was running auctions when she noticed this...

I can understand someone putting something worth 90s up for 90g in the hope someone doesn't notice, but 2 [medium leather]s for 352506.87g???

The last poll closed some time ago, I know... 57% think Phantodreya will be the first of the 40-somethings to reach 80, 28% think it will be Gothfan, 14% Knickerthief, and nobody thinks Phantojinn or Phantovesta will get there ahead of the rest. New poll soon. :)

Oh dear...

2010-03-13T22:58:00.003Z

The, frankly, pathetic account thieves are up to their tricks again. Received an email from "Blizzard" directing me to log in at a page on worldofwarcraft-official-landing-window.com Of course, I won't, and nor should anyone who gets this junk.

A Gnelf's Report!

2010-03-09T20:09:00.006Z

A couple of fun things to report during my rampage around my native lands (ie Darkshore). Firstly, I got turned into a ghost Queezcat! I felt so über, but unfortunately I couldn't attack anything - or, for that matter, see anything other than Meaniewiggles, and I would never attack her!

Then, to round off the bulk of the Darkshore quests, I paid a visit to Murkdeep and his gang. I feel like such a Phanto! 'Mella said she was so proud that I deserved an extra big bowl of [Murloc Fin Soup] for supper, but, modest as I am, I said that was quite alright... ;)

I'm now about 6.5k into Revered with Darnassus (though I still don't see why I should have to earn rep with my birth home faction!) and onto the eastern end of Ashenvale. I'll probably still have to wait until level 50 to top up the final bit of rep with runecloth turn-ins but that's OK; I'm doing the groundwork now :D That [Swift Mistsaber] will be mine! Oh, yes, it will...

Gnelf ding!

2010-03-08T13:32:00.003Z

Gratz to "everybody's favourite Gnelf"™ Gothfan who hit 44 last night. GF also got his enchanting up to 280, and is currently rampaging around Teldrassil, Darkshore and Ashenvale building up his rep with the Kaldorei (and grumbling all the way that he shouldn't need to...) so he can get a Sabre mount in due course.

Of Downhere and wallpaper

2010-03-02T22:59:00.005Z

Down had quite a shock tonight; it's only a rolling restart for maintenance so she decided to set up her auctions, especially as with the 80s' dailies and Knickerthief hitting 43 (Gratz to him!) she'd had her bags filled since Friday. After much toing and froing between the mailbox, bank and auction house she finally got *106* auctions set up. No wonder the poor girl had to go and lie down for a bit...

Down also had reason to celebrate, as on her trip to the Faire she tried out the Blastenheimer 5000 Ultra Cannon and scored a bullseye on her first ever attempt! Of course, being of the Phanto family she celebrated with a rampage around the murlocs (She still has her gun and can whack things over the head with her fishing rod) :D

This month's wallpaper is now available here and on the wallpapers page - it's a portrait of one of our favourite small pets, the baby crocolisk. All four of the Phanto 80s have them (multiple times) but this is Phantargua's crocolisk Chuck, enjoying himself in a Terokkar river while she was doing a fishing daily there. :)

So...

2010-02-25T02:06:00.006Z

For the last week or so the 40-something Phantos have been mostly resting up in Gadgetzan, where Gothfan saw, well, this:

Yes, there's a Horde guild called A Gnome Stole My Pants. Our very own Knickerthief says he wouldn't stoop to stealing Hordies' undies, at least, not without some industrial-strength detergent and a full CBRN suit, so it must be another gnome... Speaking of Gothfan though, he got a lunar festival suit last year but couldn't keep it because he didn't have any bag/bank space (he was the banker back then) so this year he went round collecting coins again and got another one. Meaniewiggles looks mightily impressed :D

While we've been resting, or doing festival stuff, our banker, gnome rogue Downhere has been sailing off to Northrend for some fishing. Being of an engineering mind, she decided that running down all the ramps and steps to the docks was too much like hard work, and took to running off the topmost level on her mechanostrider before engaging her parachute cloak...

Down got her fishing maxed out to 450, so grats to her :)

Just because some of us are resting doesn't mean the whole family are - 'mella, 'hernea, 'wyn and 'argua have been doing their dailies, and thanks to Down's auction skills the family funds are in a very healthy state indeed. As 'mella says, when we all get to Outland, there's going to be rather a lot of gryphs to buy (well, except for 'dreya of course, who'll have to pay for flight form).

One final addition to the family - well ok, ten additions but it's all the same pet; we now have corehound pups, having tied a Blizzard authenticator to the account :D He's very cute ;)

Shark!

2010-02-12T17:44:00.004Z

What is it with us Sprocketwranglers and sharks? You may recall a few years ago my adopted brother Gothfan was fishing in Theramore when a coral reef shark jumped out of the water and killed him. Well, I was up in Valgarde fishing yesterday (got my skill up to 400 now!) when a Daggercap Hammerhead tried the same trick! Being an agile rogue I managed to jump back in time, and wow, did he look silly! *giggle*

'Jinn Ding

2010-02-10T12:09:00.004Z

Gratz to the shamanistic Phantojinn who dinged 46 last night :)

When she went for training 'jinn was delighted to find that Blizz have finally sorted out the totems; previously there were four totems (Fire, Earth, Air, Water) that she had to carry in her bags, but her trainer sent her to Ironforge where a helpful NPC converted all four into a single equippable relic, thus freeing up all the bag space :D

Scam alert

2010-02-06T21:23:00.002Z

Just received an email purporting to be from Blizz (but actually from bert_rubberducky@h**m**l.com) [munged by me] saying:

An investigation of your World of Warcraft account has found strong evidence that the account in question is being sold or traded. As you may not be aware of, this conflicts with Blizzard's EULA under section 4 Paragraph B which can be found here:
WoW -> Legal -> End User License Agreement
and Section 8 of the Terms of Use found here:
WoW -> Legal -> Terms of Use
The investigation will be continued by Blizzard administration to determine the action to be taken against your account. If your account is found violating the EULA and Terms of Use, your account can, and will be suspended/closed/or terminated.
In order to keep this from occurring, you should immediately verify that you are the original owner of the account.

and directing me to a page on worldofwarcraft-account-passwordcheck.com to "reset" my password...

Quite apart from the obvious dodgy URL and poor grammar elsewhere in the mail, I'd expect anything from Blizz to quote my username.

If you get this, junk it. DO NOT EVEN GO TO THAT PAGE. Might be a malware install involved from that site too...

2010-02-05T22:18:00.002Z

Gratz this week (so far) to Gothfan, Phantodreya and Phantovesta who have hit 43 :) Apologies for forgetting this month's wallpaper - here it is :) (Also on the wallpaper page)

Happy Love Is In The Air from the Phanto Girls
February 2010

2010-01-28T08:15:00.002Z

Gratz to Phantodreya who hit 42 earlier this morning [by sitting on mobs! -GF][Hey! -'dreya][mfmblmf -GF]

Can I just say...

2010-01-27T19:06:00.006Z

Look, Blizzard, I'm a balance-specced druid, and love the fact that Moonkin form boosts my armour and spell crit %age, makes me immune to polymorphs and lets me whack things with my staff, but why, oh why, oh why, does it have to make my bum look so big! *WAIL* Plus, poor little Chilly's scared out of his penguin wits thinking I might be about to sit down and squash him!

Anyway, over on Shadowsong, my distant relative - and Phantomella look-alike - death knight Phantomortis hit 68 over the weekend and is now in Northrend. Grats to her :)

Back on Runetotem, my priestess sister Phantovesta got her tailoring up to 300, so she'll have to wait until she hits 50 to train up, but in the meantime she made Downhere an [Admiral's Hat] (It took Phantohernea and Queezcat about 200 kills to get the *6* [Elegant Tail Feather]s for it). Always one for quiet, reserved reaction, I think Down was happy. Really, she's on course to amass as many hats as 'mella has dresses...

Leaderboard ==>

2010-01-22T18:09:00.002Z

I've replaced the contributors list with a family leaderboard to keep track of our levels; Downhere's in italics as she isn't levelling any more, but still has a well-earned level of her own :) You can still click on each name for their profile. Oh, and gratz this week to Phantovesta, who dinged 42, and Gothfan who learned how to do the Fiery Weapon enchant (shaman Phantojinn immediately took advantage of it <G>)

Phantargua

2010-01-13T02:14:00.004Z

'Argua doesn't really get to do much fun stuff, she's been busy with Shattrath and Dalaran dailies, and mining ore, so when ETC happened to be in World's End Tavern at the same time as her she put on her [Elegant Dress], chugged some Red Bull and hit the dance floor :D

In other news, the giveaway pet poll results were: 66% thought Mr Chilly was the best, 33% the Baby Blizzard Bear, and nobody voted for the Onyxian Whelpling. New poll is up.

A Phanto Banker's Life

2010-01-07T23:26:00.004Z

One of the advantages of being the Phanto Banker is not being confined to the city - Gothfan got out every now and then for some fishing, or the Faire, and I took a trip the other day - to Valgarde! While there I learned Master Fishing and got in a bit of practice, although I think the cold weather was affecting me - I caught a [Pygmy Suckerfish] and thought 'Ooh, must mail that to Down!' ;)

I went up to the inn to sell off the trash catches (and pick up some mail - of course I'd seen that my auctions were done before leaving SW) where, being a Gnome Rogue girl I had a quick boogie with the charming Sorely Twitchblade on the bar!

Life, the Universe and, er, Gothfan

2010-01-05T15:27:00.003Z

Gratz to arms warrior [and Gnelf! -GF] Gothfan, who just dinged level 42 [f/x: fast bass guitar riff], accompanied as ever by Meaniewiggles...

Gratz also to our other warrior Phantowyn, who reached exalted status with the Kirin Tor yesterday. All four of the level 80s are now (mostly) doing a mix of Shattrath and Dalaran dailies.

New Year

2009-12-31T21:57:00.002Z

So what are the Phantos doing over New Year? Well, judging by this, at least two servers' Phantos are clebrating it in the traditional manner - dancing on a beer barrel in the middle of Trade :D On the left is Shadowsong Death Knight Phantomortis, and on the right is Phantomella herself. Y'know, I'd swear they were twins...

Take to the skies with the January wallpaper

2009-12-31T21:44:00.001Z

Gnelf Airlines! The only way to fly... well, for Gothfan at any rate :)

Flying
January 2010

The Guild

2009-12-23T18:43:00.003Z

In case you haven't discovered them yet; the YouTube link below goes to their released single and links to their webisodes etc -

The Guild - Do You Wanna Date My Avatar?

So...

2009-12-18T07:46:00.009Z

...what's being going on recently? Well, while the Runetotem family were resting the Shadowsongers got some fun. Kaldorei Death Knight Phantomortis spent an afternoon running round the Burning Steppes and finally got her mining up to 300 before heading to Outland where she dinged 61. And 62. And 63... and got a gryph. [And soloed Boglash! -mortis] Gnomish mage Tonkella also dinged from 16 to 18, and had some fun along the way -

Tonkella also went to see Greatfather Winter with some milk and cookies, but all he gave her was a handful of [Bolt of Linen]s. He sent her some food later, but really, linen?

Back on Runetotem, warrior Phantowyn earned her hundredth Dalaran cooking award, and got herself a chef's hat. It really does speed up cooking, she says -

'Wyn had some [Preserved Holly] from last year, so she went for a festive fly -

Downhere, meanwhile, who's been in her festive clothing since early December, kissed a reveller under the mistletoe and was given some [Fresh Holly] :)

Poll results: The last poll found that 50% of respondents haven't bought either a Pandaren Monk or Lil' KT, 25% have bought a Pandaren, 16% a Lil' KT and 8% have both. Our own KT, Knickerthief, is not happy about the lich; when he heard there was a pet called Lil' KT he wanted a licencing fee... New poll coming soon.

And finally, just a reminder to anyone leaving comments to advertise their "services"; all comments on this blog are moderated; your adverts will not appear.

Save the what???

2009-12-10T17:25:00.002Z

First a disclaimer, otherwise known as "What 'mella told me to say first". The Phanto family in no way endorses the campaign featured in this video. That said, it's damned funny, especially the gnome guy in IF... :D

Jinxdotcom's Save the Murlocs (Youtube)

Ding! Ding! Ding!

2009-12-09T23:09:00.004Z

Gratz to shadow priestess Phantovesta, arms warrior Gothfan and balance druid Phantodreya, all of whom have dinged 41 in the last couple of days. I still don't know who will take the lead of the three - 'vesta and 'dreya can self-heal, while GF is one ferocious little Gnelf when he wants to be; I guess we'll find out before they hit 50 (at some point after which I've promised Gothfan he can work on his Darny rep to get a saber [Not that I should *need* rep! -GF]... Warlock Knickerthief is hot on their heels (literally, at times), while shaman Phantojinn, currently 44, is up in the Hinterlands. ;)

While they're levelling Phantowyn is doing the Dalaran cooking and fishing dailes, and Phantohernea, Phantargua and I are doing several of the Shattrath dailies to keep the family in funds - all aided, of course, by Downhere's auctioneering skills; I guess there'll be some gryphs to buy at some point so we want to be ready.

'hernea has a cunning plan...

2009-11-30T19:06:00.002Z

It can only be the December wallpaper, now available here and in the wallpapers post. Have to say, the rest of us have found giving the old guy a lap dance (must be Phantodreya's turn this year...) is a far simpler way of getting more pressies ;)

Winter's Veil 2009
December 2009