The Best Laid Plans

Today started off much like any other day. After checking in with my guild mates and receiving status reports on various "guild matters," I proceeded to plan the day's tasks.

After verifying the quest status of various members, I learned a few of my guild mates had quests to complete in Blackrock Mountain. So, I immediately began to organize a team comprised of those folks who needed to go have "meets & greets" with the Bosses of that particular instance.

I sent out the invites, and the party of five roster was filling quickly. I then began to do what I term "pre-mission" check of supplies needed, and I asked the guild's alchemist to supply us with fire protection potions.

Our chief alchemist informed us, or me, rather, "Sure, no problem; I need small flame sacs and firefin snapper; and, oh, by the way, I'll return in about an hour." This was definitely one of those "moments" that stop you dead in your tracks. I responded "You're telling me we have to go hunting and gathering for those items?" Our delightful alchemist responded "Yup" and "I'll be back in an hour or so."

Since it is not wise to go racing into Blackrock Mountain sans fire protection gear and potions, our plans to pay a visit were put on hold until we could produce the necessary materials for those much needed potions.

So, my first task of the day was to head off to one of my favorite fishing holes to catch the firefin snapper. I dashed to the bank to retrieve my lucky fishing gloves, and then I paid a visit to the fishing supplies vendor to purchase lures.

With those two items packed safely in my bags, I made my way to the wind rider platform and took the next flight out to Shadowprey Village. My ultimate destination was the northern coast where pools of firefin snapper are plentiful.

It has been a while since I have been to this place, and I had forgotten how beautiful it is. It is a welcome contrast to the barren landscape only paces away.

The Naga become aggressive ever so often to remind you this is their place, but overall, the visit is pleasant and the fishing is good. I caught a stack of 20 firefin in short order.

I wanted to stay and parry with the Naga a bit, but I resisted the urge to do so. Instead, I headed back to Shadowprey to send the fish to our Alchemist and to take the wind rider to my next destination, Camp Mojache in Feralas.

Although small flame sacs drop from dragons throughout Azeroth, I prefer to hunt in Feralas. I happen to like the convenience of a short ride to base camp to empty my bags. Plus, the prey I seek are plentiful. That translates into accomplishing my task in a reasonable period of time -- I hope!!

The flight to Camp Mojache was pleasant, and after a brief stop at the inn to check the mailbox, I headed out to search for the sprite darters. I came upon them a short distance from Camp Mojache. There were quite a few spawns of the sprite darters, and since I was the only hunter in the area, I thought my time hunting would be minimal.

At precisely the 2 hour and 10 minute mark (just when I was considering a trip to the Auction House), the final flame sac dropped!!! I informed the Alchemist I had the necessary flame sacs, and we agreed to meet in Org. I informed everyone in the group we would be departing for Blackrock Mountain as soon as I received the completed potions from Azen, the Alchemist. With potions in hand and my armor freshly repaired, I made the journey to Blackrock Mountain.

I suppose the message here is even Level 60 Shaman have to do chores before going out "to play."