Page 8 - WoW Magazine Issue 30

8 // World of Warcraft Community Magazine

ARTICLE

LOOKING BACK AS I MOVE

FORWARD

By Taylor Canning

verything starts and everything ends, but should Flame Shock before you Lava Burst!) and referred

the journey has always been the lifeblood of me to Blizzard fansites and class guides. It is because of

Eexistence. I remember when I first started that guild that Icecrown Citadel will be one of my favorite

playing World of Warcraft. I remember the expansion, what raids, and Heroic 25 Lich King will always be remembered

patch we were on, and my first race, class, and faction. I as a formidable opponent no matter how easily he is to solo

remember that my brother got me to play, but after a few now several expansions later.

frustrated attempts at leveling together I quit only to come

back several months later with some friends. I remember It is the people that make this game fun; it is our

being told to go to the Alliance because that is what they friends who turn the repetitive archetypes of an MMO into

played. I remember falling in love with the Draenei almost a pleasurable experience, a good inside joke, and a fond

instantly. I recall wanting to make a Mage, but my friends memory. But time takes your memories, it is ruthless in

laughed and said I’ll look like a fridge in a dress so I rolled its uncaring consumption of history. That is why I think we

Shaman (later I would disagree with that statement but become attached to parts of this game. No matter what

when you first start out you’re impressionable). I remember class or faction I play, I will always have a Draenei Shaman

my friends and eventually my brother losing interest in the on my roster. No matter how many times I’ve soloed 25

game but by that time I was hooked and so I continued on Heroic Lich King for his mount, I’ll always think back at

my own. my first attempts to progress through his phases with that

guild. In the decades since, the game has changed and

I don’t remember what realm I first started on. I don’t so have I; new realms, new guilds, new friends. Some of

remember my first character’s name. The only guild I really them I remember, some of them I don’t. Not all of them

remember being a part of back then was <Relax> and they are good memories, some of them are quite bad, but they

are no longer around, at least not in a form that I would are experiences that have shaped my World of Warcraft

recognize. While in the sandtrap of time I’ve forgotten their playstyle, and I would go as far as to say helped me grow

names, I think fondly of that guild. They are the ones who as a person.

taught me how to play the game and how to raid. I will never

forget the first time another member sat down and really I think about all this now because a good friend of

spoke to me in depth about my class (where I learned you mine has had to step away from the game; not because

The GameOn Magazine