WoW Blog/The Shattering

This article is a copy of a set of official blogs referred to as "World Event: The Shattering" or "The Elemental Invasion", by Blizzard Entertainment. It's about the Prepatch Events.

With patch 4.0.1 now live and the official World of Warcraft: Cataclysm cinematic trailer released at www.youtube.com/warcraft, it's time for you to find out just what's in store in the weeks leading up to Cataclysm's launch on December 7.

As earthquakes rumble and the very foundation of Azeroth becomes increasingly unstable, key members of the Horde and Alliance have begun to assemble in Orgrimmar and Stormwind to investigate the cause of these disturbances. Unconstrained elementals are terrorizing Azeroth's inhabitants, and it's become clear that a malevolent presence is threatening to tear apart the land. Suspicious strangers have taken to the Horde and Alliance capitals to offer the frightened citizens an explanation for the recent phenomena. Pro-tip: it's all doom and gloom.

The events leading up to Cataclysm are underway, and the disturbances will only become more severe as the weeks pass. Pay close attention to your faction leaders, Thrall and Varian, and be on the lookout for unfamiliar faces gathering on the city streets. This one-time-only series of events features all-new quests and multiple stages of dire happenings, so stay vigilant!

This patch will contain the final preparations for the Cataclysm launch, including the new login screen and official cinematic. The Shattering of Azeroth will take place sometime after patch 4.0.3.

Shortly before December 7, Azeroth will change forever. Deathwing will emerge from the Elemental Plane, bringing about the Shattering of the world and burning anyone and anything in his path. The events leading up to the release of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm will reach their culmination, and Azeroth's citizens will face the devastation they feared all along.

After the appearance of Twilight's Hammer agents in Orgrimmar and Stormwind City, Azeroth's defenders swiftly thwarted the cult's bid to destroy the two capitals. Yet these victories have done little to soothe fears over Azeroth's calamitous state. Earthquakes continue shaking the world with greater frequency than ever before. Wayward fire spirits have engulfed Orgrimmar, threatening to reduce the proud Horde capital to ash. Across the Great Sea, a sudden influx of earth spirits has rocked the foundations of Ironforge, pushing the once-indomitable dwarven bastion to the brink of collapse.

Even so, a glimmer of hope has come in the form of ancient tablets recovered in Northrend. These mysterious artifacts are believed to hold clues concerning Azeroth's tormented elementals -- a claim that can only be validated once the artifacts are delivered safely from the northern continent. The gifted shaman Thrall has also begun his own efforts to shed light on the disasters befalling the world. Of great concern, however, is whether anything will be left of Orgrimmar and Ironforge by the time answers are found....

The events leading up to Cataclysm are underway, and the disturbances will only become more severe as the weeks pass, so stay vigilant! Pay close attention to your faction leaders, Thrall and Varian; be on the lookout for unfamiliar faces gathering on the city streets; and don't miss out on the all-new quests featured during this one-time-only series of events.

Little progress has been made toward mending Azeroth's dire condition. Thrall has nonetheless continued forging ahead in search of answers. Most recently, he journeyed to his ancestors' lands in Nagrand on the shattered world of Outland. At the fabled Throne of the Elements, he has met with other wise shaman, including the venerable dwarf Gavan Grayfeather, hoping to glean even the smallest shred of insight that could help him save Azeroth from ruin.

Meanwhile, Twilight's Hammer cultists have been caught infiltrating Orgrimmar and Stormwind City, sparking panic and suspicion among the two great cities' inhabitants. Although the cult's earlier bid to wreak havoc on these capitals had failed, this new development has raised fears that the Twilight's Hammer is poised to launch another, far more devastating attack.

The events leading up to Cataclysm are underway and a great disturbance of the elements has erupted. Don't miss out on the all-new quests featured during this one-time-only series of events.

Panic has seized Orgrimmar, Stormwind City, Thunder Bluff, and Ironforge. In each of these great capitals, guards have ordered citizens to evacuate in preparation for what they believe will be an elemental invasion of catastrophic proportions.

Yet not everyone has chosen to flee.

Several brave heroes have resolved to face the coming storm. Members of the Earthen Ring and leaders from among Azeroth's noble races have also assembled to protect these Horde and Alliance strongholds from destruction. Exactly how the impending elemental assault will unfold remains unknown... and even the most ardent defenders are on edge as they await the threat of annihilation.

The events leading up to Cataclysm have reached a tipping point. Be sure to take advantage of this one-time opportunity to embark on unique new quests and fight for the survival of your homelands.

Azeroth's capital cities, once bastions of trade and commerce, are now under siege by forces from the Elemental Planes. While faction leaders have recently established Evacuation Portals throughout each city, allowing concerned denizens to safely escape before the next full-scale invasion occurs, we understand that accidents can still happen. In the event of an emergency, for example, you may become trapped, separated from your evacuation party, or be otherwise unable to reach a secure location.

To ensure that you're adequately prepared for this worst-case scenario and can survive until reinforcements arrive, we've created a list of items to include in an Invasion Survival Kit to help you withstand the wrath of the elements.

The following items are recommended for all Invasion Survival Kits:

• Water. Up to one full stack of water per person per day. Conjured waters are the best for hydration, but herbal teas may also be substituted. Honeymint and thistle are popular brews.

• Regrettably, we have not yet determined to what extent the invading elementals can manipulate their surroundings, so please keep an eye on your water supply and report any suspicious activity to local authorities (e.g. disembodied eyes, unexplained vortices, or other sudden manifestations). Drink responsibly.

• Food. A three-day supply of non-perishable food including dried fruits and meats should be sufficient. If you're a chef by trade, you may also make food on the go; however, your faction leaders cannot be held responsible for any Elemental Rifts that may spawn from your Basic Campfires. Grill at your own risk.

• Note: While Fish Feasts are both convenient and portable, and can easily feed up to 25 people, we strongly recommend against including any in your Invasion Survival Kit. They unfortunately do not keep well and will likely make you smell. Who wants to rescue a smelly person? No one. Pack some jerky instead.

• Elune's Lantern or a similar luminary device.

• Bandages. For maximum preparedness, please ensure that your bandages are appropriate for your level range. Failure to do so may result in prolonged injury, wasted bag space, and/or death.

• OOX Distress Beacon.

• Vile Fumigator's Mask. Due to a sudden surge in wind and electrical storms, air quality is at an all-time low. We strongly advise that you pack an appropriate breathing apparatus to help filter airborne debris.

• If you don't have a Vile Fumigator's Mask on hand, that's okay. Blood Elf Bandit Masks, Shadoweave Masks, and Venomshroud Masks are all suitable filtration devices (and will keep you looking groovy).

• Topographical map of Azeroth.

• Old Blanchy's Blanket or similar covering.

• Signal flares.