Oct 2nd

19:00 We are currently holding ten of fourteen city blocks. We have been pushing our troops hard to end this siege fast. Instead of pushing even further to town we decided to clear up the first 10 blocks we are holding in our tight grip from any remaining hostile forces and check if there might still be some useful battle equipment hidden around. and indeed we found some. To be honest, we found a lot more than I anticipated.

Oct 6th

18:00 It's time to continue deeper into the town. First we went to check the block named "Zoo" in our maps. As we entered the previously mentioned block, it became apparent that this "Zoo" was not created for recreational purposes. Instead it was a place where Garrosh's troops trained their "Beastly" forces...

Not many beasts left though, maybe our siege has done it's work and most of them would have already been eaten. One stupid beast running it's head to a wall, few animal keepers around and a huge captured Dinosaur in the middle. Of course we felt the urge to set the dinosaur free and slaughtered the animal keepers.

But that bastard, instead of being grateful for us, tried to eat us. On the other hand it's kinda normal that towns under siege have some minor problems to keep everyone fed up... Lots of running away from a really hungry dinosaur, we also freed some of Garrosh's prisoners while doing it. Poor souls were so weakened by their captivity that they ended up getting eaten... Well, there is some truth behind the saying: Survival of the fittest...

After some running we got bored playing with that poor Dinosaur and decided we could use it to fill our meat wagons instead. Now we at least have huge Dinosaur Burgers to feed our troops. Maybe we'll name those burgers "Kauppuri"...

Thok the Bloodthirsty

Icy Blood Chestplate (Manniz)
Gleaming Eye of the Devilsaur (Kosto)
Helm of the Cursed Vanquisher (Puttimo)
Helm of the Cursed Conqueror (Cabbus)
Helm of the Cursed Protector (Manniz)

20:30 We left our cooks behind to chop that Dino and continued our journey. Soon after we found their Siege weapon factory, which to our surprise was still operational.

Just can't understand what use siege weapons can have inside of a town being sieged... Siegecrafter Helix Blackfuse, who was in charge of the factory didn't like the idea of shutting the operations down. Well, we kinda had to make him see the point. Warfare inside of towns is better suited to smaller and more agile units than siegeweapons...

Siegecrafter Blackfuse

Shoulders of the Cursed Conqueror (Kemistra, Alfenster)
Shoulders of the Cursed Vanquisher (Eomi)
Powder-Stained Totemic Treads (Joukahainen)
Dysmorphic Samophlange of Discontinuity (Alfenster)

We offered them a chance to join us against Garrosh but instead they chose to try and kill us (maybe they thought we would have some shinies with us?).

After a fierce battle against a battle hardened mercenary group we finally shoved them that we were not first timers either.

22:40 Perfect time to let our troops get some well earned rest and refreshments. Now we have Orgrimmar tightly in our grip and Garrosh has only one block of town left to himself. We occupy the other thirteen!

Paragons of Klaxxi

Korven's Crimson Crescent (Bandah)
Gauntlets of Insane Calculations (Punis)
Leggings of the Cursed Vanquisher (Eomi)
Kil'ruk's Band of Ascendancy (Puttimo)
Leggings of the Cursed Conqueror (Nerfmeplz)
Leggings of the Cursed Protector (Illyria)

18:00 We continue our advancement deeper in to the city. Apparently we have pushed Garrosh to the limits, because he had sent his most trusted lieutenant, Malkorok against us.

Have to admit that he had few nice tricks in his sleeve and he also did like to hit really hard. Eventually we got him down after a few hour battle. Formidable opponent indeed.

Malkorok

Frenzied Crystal of Rage (Jusa)
Malkorok's Tainted Dog Tags (Sraaz)
Hood of Perpetual Implosion (Odeliini)
Malkorok's Skullcleaver (Wonkamies)
Miasmic Skullbelt (Kemistra)
Malkorok's Giant Stompers (Zende)

19:40 We were advancing fast inside Ogrimmar with some nice air support. Things are really so much smoother when you have air superiority on your side.

While walking on a bridge to Zoo section of city we noticed huge chest in the middle of it and lots of crates down below. I started wondering if we had found their armory unguarded. Before commanding officers had a chance to react, our troops went lootcrazy and jumped down and started opening crates like madmen. At that point it was obvious that it was a trap! Enemies were pouring of from those crates and we fought for our lives a short period which felt like an eternity. Gladly we had superior training and we managed yet again be victorious. For a nice bonus there indeed was one chest full of nice items to spread among our troops.

Spoils of Pandaria

Enchanted Shao-Tien Saber (Puttimo)
Shado-Pan Reliquary Kilt (Rhasiak)
Lost Necklace of the Mogu Empress (Susitar)
Chitin-Link Chain Belt (Joukahainen)
Ancient Mogu Tower Shield (Alfenster)
Ominous Mogu Greatboots (Sraaz)

Therefore they are launching counterattacks almost on a weekly basis. But this "Hunger game" is already favoring us, because those attacks are weaker and weaker week after week...

21:00

Earlier tonight we sent "lootparties" around the first six blocks we are currently holding and they returned sooner than expected. Mostly because they couldn't carry anymore epics with them. It's time to enter to city itself and see if there's any parties going on where we could attend!

21:30

Auction house, Pubs, Restaurants. This must be a city market here. Lots of townsfolk as well. We offered them a free passage out of town, but they decided to fight instead... Stupid commoners, like they would have had any chance against a highly trained army. Only those shamans, Haromm and Kardris put up even a decent fight. I'm not exactly sure what that building was where they were, but it looks like we could make it a nice church in the future!

Kor'kron Dark Shaman

Shoulderguards of Foul Streams (Joukahainen)
Ashflare Pendant (Eomi)
Poisonmist Nightcloak (Berenn)
Darkfang Mask (Susitar)
Wolf-Rider Spurs (Keffi)
Breastplate of Shamanic Mirrors (Keffi)

General Nazgrim

Gauntlets of the Cursed Vanquisher (Feanoris, Arcspark)
Nazgrim's Gutripper (Puttimo)
Nazgrim's Burnished Insignia (Joukahainen)
Gauntlets of the Cursed Conqueror (Odeliini)
Crown of Tragic Truth (Joukahainen)

23:00

Not a bad day at all, we pushed back all the counterattacks launched against us and managed to enter deeper into the town. Now we are controlling 8/14 city blocks...

Norushen

Rime-Rift Shoulders (Arcspark, Höyhen)
Bracers of Blind Hatred (Sraaz)
Bracers of Final Serenity (Joukahainen)
Reality Ripper Ring (Sticker, Berenn)

Sha of Pride

Chest of the Cursed Vanquisher (Feanoris, Rhasiak, Jusa)
Shield of Mockery (Zende)
Gaze of Arrogance (Rhasiak)
Choker of the Final Word (Manniz)

Galakras

Unrepentant Heels (Kaamon)
Dragonmaw Emergency Strap (Rhasiak)
Extinguished Ember of Galakras (Mustikka)
Korgra's Venom-Soaked Gauntlets (Berenn)
Dagryn's Fuselight Bracers (Kosto)

Iron Juggernaut

Juggernaut's Focusing Crystal (Zende, Manniz)
Castlebreaker Bracers (Susitar)
Laser-Slice Signet (Alfenster)
Treads of Autonomic Motion (Joukahainen)
Precision Cutters (Kosto)

We gathered our forces and started the inevitable battle against Ogrimmar and especially Garrosh Hellscream. First week we spent building fortifications around the city and started to train and equip our raid force to be able to hit them hard.

As our force had to be tested we launched a few attacks in the outskirts of town and encountered something called Immerseus. He, or rather it, had a nasty habbit of spilling some water and slime against us, which was totally intolerable. We teached him some manners and gathered some nice equipment while doing that.

Immerseus

Bracers of Purified Spirit (Mustikka)
Puddle Punishers (Illyria)
Hood of Blackened Tears (Darkest)
Bubble-Burst Bracers (Zende)
Seal of Eternal Sorrow (Joukahainen)
Greatbelt of Living Waters (Alfenster)

We also decided to take a sneak peek to the neighboring block of city and saw something called the "Fallen Protectors", And indeed they fell swiftly in our hands...

Fallen Protectors

Sha-Seared Sandals (Arcspark)
Darkfallen Shoulderplates (Sacritus)
Petrified Pennyroyal Ring (Eomi)
Softfoot's Last Resort (Sraaz)
Shockstriker Gauntlets (Manniz)
Gaze of Echoing Despair (Punis)

Our romance with the Thunder King was stormy but short. As the second tier in MoP started this spring, we sprinted towards the new challenges.

Lei Shen

Even though our summer break coincided with the middle of progression, we cleared it all in 25N.

Twin Consorts

The drums of war can be heard in the horizon, and as one of the two surviving 25-raiding guilds on Aszune it is our calling to march forward.

 Iron Qon

The lads and ladies of FBF got together for the traditional summer meeting in Asikkala.

The lords of weather were smiling upon us, as we spent hours upon hours soaking in the outdoor palju!

Many drinks were had, merry times begotten and some memories forgotten. Several traditions made their comeback (wow quiz, lots of sauna/palju and plenty of beverages), but we also enjoyed a new sport! Thanks to Odetta for entertaining us with the treasure hunt, which unfortunately I did not win, despite my best efforts.

Here's to hoping the fellows of FBF will now get to focus on the game itself, happy hunting and may the drops be with you!

Jin’rokh the world breaker is now dead
             FBF came and made off with his head
With shining fists and lightning attack
             The FBF raid group could not slack
In pools of glimmering water they stood
             Battling to slay Jin’rokh for good...
Dodging lightning attacks and storm
             Isn’t wiping to dumdums the norm?
The throne of thunder now unlocked
             This raider now faces writers block
Horridon and the zandalari now lie in wait
             Our blood thirst they shall sate...
Onwards we fight till we meet Lei Shen
        and maybe even face.. Ra-Den!

Jin'rokh the Breaker

Static-Shot Shoulderguards (Illyria)
Robes of Static Bursts (Odeliini)
Ionized Yojamban Carapace (Punis)
Lightning-Eye Hood (Farek)
Fissure-Split Shoulderwraps (Eleador)
Chestplate of Violent Detonation (Zende)

As the current raid content was nearing its end, the folks of FBF decided to test the new iteration of the wintery 19-man raid at Parkano, Finland called "Talvimiitti #2". The bosses could be downed multiple times; and oh, they were.

The raiders from the north arrived first and started right away with the mindtwisting Hymyilevä Kiuas <The Saunamancer> boss; a twisted experiment by a deranged gnome, no doubt.



He wasn't a match for our raiding pyromaniacs and soon the room was filled with a nice heat and several jolly raiders enjoying their loots (in liquid form). Many downings did he see, our beloved Hymyilevä Kiuas!

There was a lot of idle time, so the Mumble channel and raid chat were full of life, bolstered by the consumption of loots (also in solid, nourishing forms).



Also, we had the Netflix <The Consumer of Minds> boss, who had multiple phases. Some phases had disturbing references to japanese B-class action movies, and some were more loyal to the chinese theme of MoP. Despite the length of the fight, concentration was kept up admirably.

The Board Game and Poker minibosses saw plenty of action too, the latter having the uncanny ability of modifying the players' IRL-gold.

The end boss Darth Sticker <Dark Lord of DPS> was quite scary. He taunted the raid multiple times, but in the end we decided to gear up more before tackling him. Copyright infringement might get to him faster than us, though.



All in all, the raid was a complete success! Next special raid in August, remember to sign (we did)!

The Mogu -once a primitive race of humanoids- now empowered and evolved by the waters of the vale, hold immense power and knowledge. With their discovery of an ancient titan repository on Pandaria, the Mogu, in an attempt to harness and use the knowledge stored within, built the vaults. Proud of their earlier supremacy, the Mogu kept lengthy records of their accomplishments within these vaults. Now guarded by ferocious magical beings, these sacred chambers have remained silent since the mogu’s departure. The Mogu’Shan vaults, with such powerful secrets lay ahead for adventurers and lorewalkers alike.

Early on in FBFs adventures in Pandaria, the guild leadership sent a scouting group of ten heroes to explore and report back, they were not prepared for what lay ahead. They reported back with messages of stone guardians turning to flesh, attacking any intruders who enter the vaults. Having dealt with this initial assault, an encounter with lorewalker Cho only added to the intrigue and our scouts gathered what intel they could and called it a day.

With this new information at hand, the FBF forces prepared for battle, sending in a full force of twenty five to assault the vaults, and the knowledge that stone could turn to flesh… A secret was held deep within the vaults, one that had to be discovered and used, or at least destroyed, before the Horde could get to it.

For many nights the FBF forces battled within the vaults. Morale was low, and the item drops even fewer, but battle on we did, through some of the most interesting encounters to date.

With the guardians dealt with by our scouting team, the FBF forces started off with the second encounter, that of Feng the Keeper of Champion Spirits. After spending 5 hours on Feng, you can get a rough idea on why he is called the accursed. In an encounter that was plagued with problems and much cursing, including disconnects and the occasional idiotic puntable marmot (seriously Punis?), and the many, many... and I do mean many wipes below 10% (including the infamous 0.2% "ei vittu" wipe), Feng was finally put to rest -his job now done- in a classic FBF fashion, with the last attempt of that night. With chat activity on mumble beyond anything experienced so far, adrenaline and emotions were running high with shouts of “I got it! No I don’t! Yes I do!”, “Don’t you dare touch the fire! Whatever you do, get out of the fire!” and the occasional odd confession of punching gnomes, Feng was bested and swarms of Zandalari appeared out of nowhere. Wait, aren’t we on pandaria? Gara’jal the Spiritbinder lay ahead.

But Zandalari? In Pandaria? This must be investigated. Finding what seemed to be a Zandalari invasion force attempting to enter the inner depths of Mogu’shan Vaults and with our objectives being similar, a discussion on perhaps working together ensued. Negotiations broke down when it became apparent that Gara’jal and his minions couldn’t focus hard enough in between mouthfuls of Gnome to agree on terms. Having gotten our Gnomes back from the Zandalari, and with a great shout of “Now ya done makin' me angry!!” from the troll, we made swift work of the priest and his spiritual hallucinations. Ignoring the Terminator impression by the now departed priest, the FBF forces swiftly moved on into the inner depths of Mogu’shan Vaults. Having fought off the invasion force of the Zandalari. The FBF forces, expecting to be heralded as the saviors of the Mogu race, walked in bravely into the depths of the vaults. For surely we would be welcomed in, and our earlier destruction of the initial guardians forgotten… right?

Wrong. Meng Sharpfang, Qiang Steelskin, Sebotai Swiftfoot, and Zian of the Endless Shadow were in wait. Foaming at the mouth in outrage at our perceived invasion, the spirit kings prepared to battle us. The FBF forces attempted to negotiate with the kings, sending in a gnome to try and explain the Zandalari… With one massive attack it became apparent where this was leading. Having resurrected the traditional sacrificial gnome to the loot gods, the Spirit Kings were engaged and defeated in an overly typical headless chicken style that seems to work best in this encounter.

Having been escorted into the depths by Lorewalker Cho, who up to this point had acted as a helpful knowledge source of what waited ahead, yet surprisingly sheepish when it came to actually physically assisting the FBF forces in the encounters, guided us onwards ever deeper into the vaults. However upon further examining the depths, the forces encountered a device that even lorewalker Cho had never heard of. Naturally, as the fountain of knowledge that he is, Lorewalker Cho activated the device, and immediately decided that the best way for him to contribute to the mess created was to observe from a safe distance.

*sigh*… thanks Cho. Staring down Elegon, the FBF forces seemed hesitant to engage, as if the challenge ahead was too great. As they approached the celestial dragon, a sudden rush of power engulfed all those close to him. As if touched by the titans themselves, the FBF forces turned into celestial forms. The engine of Nalak’sha, which gives the dragon it's celestial form, also imbued the FBF forces with the same power for all those within the Empyreal Focuses. With this new found source of power, Elegon was defeated. His existence ending, becoming nothing.

With the machine destroyed, the Mogu power now weakened, Lorewalker Cho “bravely” stepped back and examined the discs that lowered upon Elegon's defeat. It seemed that the Mogu had salvaged and repurposed ancient Titan technology to advance their empire. With this knowledge, the FBF forces had no choice but to move on to the final chamber in the Mogu’shan Vaults, onwards to the aptly named Will of the Emperor.

Emperor Lei Shin and the Mogu race, having harnessed and repurposed the Titan knowledge, had built a gigantic Mogu construct machine. An army of soulless abominations lay silently, as if waiting for a war that never started. Too dangerous to leave alone and no ability to control it, Lorewalker Cho instructed the FBF forces to turn the machine on and battle what would come. Then from behind the door he yelled, "Knock on the door if you survive!"

What lay in wait was wave upon wave of the constructs, with periodic toxic titanic gas filling the chambers, and a co-ordination challenge like never before. The FBF forces having become battle hardened by the bi-annual ballet practice, as well as the earlier challenges in the vaults did not waver, and made swift work of the chaotic encounter.

Having “politely” asked Lorewalker Cho to return, the destruction of the machine was confirmed. Yet instead of rejoicing in victory, the Lorewalker seemed concerned. Wandering what other ancient enemies would pose a threat to the peace in Pandaria.

With their gnomes resurrected, new weapons and armor equipped, the FBF forces now move on to the next challenge at the Heart of Fear. With rumors that the Sha of Fear has corrupted the grand empress of the Mantid, her behavior becoming incresingly erratic and paranoid, the Klaxxi have reluctantly asked for aid. Though being very clear that we are simply being used as a means to an end, the Klaxxi have failed to subdue the Sha and it is up to us to defeat it.