As the youngest of the three Bronzebeard brothers, King Magni and Muradin, Brann has made his own name as an explorer in the Explorers’ Guild. Kind and well-travelled, he makes friends wherever he goes. Supposedly, he has travelled so much that he never gets lost. He has even tread the paths of the ancients.

Brann and a dwarf named Samul Strangehands created the Explorers’ Guild. Considering Brann’s passion for knowledge, this is hardly a surprise. Brann has learned a bit of everything in his time and is considered many things, a geographer, historian, archaeologist, and translator. Just to name a few.

Despite all of this, Brann is no bookworm. He lives up to the legend in being not only a scholar, but a formidable foe on the battle field. During the second war, he and Muradin were sent to accompany Anduin Lothar. Working directly with Lothar, he helped use his knowledge in terrain and provided an edge in the fight. Even after Lothar’s death, it was able to aid in the destruction of the Dark Portal.

His explorations after the third war were prompted by his elder brother Magni. Brann took to this well and even began writing books on the subjects of his findings about both the land and its people. So far he’s written four books: his journal, Lands of Conflict, Lands of Mystery, and notes for a book which is found in the RPG books which has been sent to King Magni and the Explorers’ League.

Brann appears in several instances and provides a lot of key lore information to the players. As such… I will not be telling you any of the details here, but I will suggest that you check out the following areas:
Halls of Stone
Ulduar
South Silithus

Brann is a fascinating tool that Blizzard seems to use to give historical information to the players, along with the Explorers’ League. I can’t wait to see him in the next expansion, especially as he might be in Uldum!

Hamuul met and became friends with Malfurion during the invasion of the Burning Legion. He listened and learned many things from the Night Elf, including how to connect with nature. Tauren druids had died out about 20 generations ago, but Hamuul restored the tradition. He is now one of the main teachers of druidism in Thunder Bluff. He has even taught his daughter, Bashana, who is also a member of the Cenarion Circle.

The now elderly, Hamuul, knew Naralex from years back. Naralex is a Night Elf in Wailing Caverns who intends to use them to restore the Barrens. However, when he went into Emerald Dream and the caverns and druids about him changed into something terrible… corrupted. He lies sleeping waiting for his last disciple to awaken him. However, Hamuul, is now too old to leave the city and check on his friend, so he waits. It is too dangerous to even use magic to get to his friend.

Hamuul is greatly respected and a staunch supporter of Cairne Bloodhoof, the current chieftan. He is also considered one of the most honorable druids by many for his is dedicated to both the Cenarion Circle and to nature. He is truly an example to many, whether or not they follow the druidic path.

In Cataclysm, we have heard that parts of the Barrens will become lush and green, implying that Naralex has been successful. Will Hamuul be able to see his old friend once more? What will happen to Hamuul? It is emphasized that he is elderly; perhaps he won’t survive the Cataclysm. Only time will tell…

Mathias Shaw is the current leader of Si:7 in Stormwind. In his early thirties, he is young to be a part of both the intelligence agency and the Stormwind Assassins. Both of which were started by his grandmother Pathonia Shaw. Unknown to anyone, his grandfather is Waltion Freemore, leader of the Four Fingers.

His was mother was a first finger assassin and she died on a job when he was only four years old. But he still had his grandmother, who brought him up to understand death and the family business. His childhood friend was Edwin VanCleef, a familiar name to many of us who have leveled Alliance.

Mathias was a prodigy at the business. He was Fourth Finger by age 10 making him the youngest member, but took his time through the ranks. He knows each level in intricate detail and what is needed for each one. He even trained Edwin VanCleef as a rogue. Little did he know what would happen later. (Check out the Deadmines instance if you haven’t already.)

It was on his 30th birthday that his grandmother decided it was time for him to lead. She wanted to graceful pass over control rather than die and see things fall apart. He even tried to attempt to improve on his grandmother’s leading, but found that her style was flawless. A final interesting note is that his first kill was the target that had killed his mother. Vengeance or a test? You decide.

The first glimpse you get of this skeleton usually sends you to the spirit healer. Mor’Ladim has by far the largest aggro radius of any enemy that I have seen in game. He is a terror to those who are questing in Raven Hill Cemetery. However, who was this man? What drives him in his undeath?

Mor’Ladim when he lived was known as Morgan Ladimore. He lived as a great soldier and a family man. When he was eighteen, the young man married a sweet girl named Lys. With her he had three children, two girls and a boy.

When he was thirty-two he was called to fight by Uther’s side in a war against the horde. Morgan was shaken by many of the events he witnessed during this war including the disbanding of the Paladins of the Silver Hand, Uther’s dead, and the plague. His only hope and dream was to return to his family. A sliver of hope in the dark times.

Years later he returned to a broken home. The land was defiled and undead had infiltrated the once peaceful land. Raven Hill Cemetery had blossomed with the dead. His village had become Darkshire. Morgan attempted to find his family, but no one was able to help. Many had been lost in the recent years and they suggested that he look in the cemetery.

He decided that they might have taken refuge in Lakeshire and was traveling there when he passed Raven Hill. It was with a heavy heart that he decided to look. Name after name, he found people that he once new. Finally, he found a tiny untended plot with three gravestones. He approached and was distressed to find that it was indeed the tombstone of his beloved wife.

He broke down before that symbol of despair and cried out for forgiveness for he had not been there to protect his family. Despair slowly turned to anger, for surely there should have been others to protect them. He lashed out at nearby cemetery attendants and accused them for his loss. In his madness, he murdered them.

It was a while later that he came to himself and saw the carnage that he had wrought upon the innocent keepers. Broken by what had happened, the young man drove his belt knife into his heart. When he was found, they buried him quickly on the edge of the cemetery. There was no ceremony for the man who had fought so long, only a quick burial for the madman he had become.

But peace was not for this man, who had gone against his deepest beliefs. A man driven by grief for his family. A man driven by regret for the innocent lives he’d taken. Only a few days later, Mor’Ladim arose. Driven by self-hatred for the man he was when he’d died. The anger traps him in this state and he is quick to lash out at those who disturb him.

The tiniest glimmer of hope in his story is that Morgan and Lys Ladimore are survived by a single child, a daughter. Sarah Ladimore is a member of the Night Watch in Darkshire and helps to protect the town. It is she who will ask you to put her father to rest. A daughter’s love…

This week we’re going to review Abercrombie <The Hermit>. This level 35 humanoid resides northeast of Raven Hill Cemetery in Duskwood. Did you ever think about why he lived so close to so many undead? He could have easily lived in town and avoided the danger.

However, this poor man has suffered. Abercrombie was an alchemist that did his best to fight back the rising dead with his knowledge. He fought to keep himself and his wife, Eliza, alive. In the end, he failed and his wife was killed. Sweet Eliza was buried not far from the hut where he now stays. The hut that he refuses to leave.

You meet him and this kindly man asks you for help. You set off on quests to help him with his studies and help him survive. You find out that Abercrombie, in his desperate love for his wife, has turned to dark magic. He put his own heart within her chest in order to bring her back and it worked. Not in the way that he expected though.

Eliza rose once more, but hungered for flesh. A hunger than was so insatiable that he was forced to bury her and watch over her. He had created a monster. Abercrombie had been driven insane. There was no more of the kindly alchemist and his wife, but a man with a secret. In the end, he creates another abomination, a creature called Stitches with the help of items you bring him. This monstrous creature barrels its way towards Darkshire destroying everything in its path. Only a group of heroes can stop him now… Will Darkshire survive? Will you redeem yourself by preventing the tragedy that you helped come to fruition?

This is the story of Abercrombie and Stitches.