Sunday, July 13, 2008

A Day In The Life of a Twink

Ishnu-alah. My name is Dakoneris, and I am a twink.

Being a twink is a path very different from that taken by other adventurers. I no longer explore new lands, fight monsters, or defend the lost and helpless. My abilities do not grow with time. Because my gear is, or nearly is, the best available, I have no need to replace it. Instead, my goal is purely to assist the Silverwing Sentinels defend Warsong Gulch from those who would cut down its trees and desecrate the land.

Why does Team Ratshag have a twink on its roster? My role on the team has been to provide knowledge; primarily of Player vs Player combat, but also initially it was to provide knowledge of the Alliance. For a time I was the most seasoned Alliance member of the Team, and I was able to provide advice to those who came later, such as Miss Palintera and Miss Phoenicia, as well as Mister Ratshag himself. I believe Mister Ratshag also derives some vicarious enjoyments from hearing of my adventures.

For myself, I do this to support my family. By being a twink, not only am I able to provide a good living for my wife Alynn and my daughter Kalandra, but I am able to return to Teldrassil every evening. To me, this is worth far more than the opportunity to see the Blasted Lands or Hellfire Peninsula or any other treeless wasteland. I respect the desire of others to acquire wealth or fame or power, but that is not for me. I will get to watch my daughter grow up in a stable home, and that is riches enough for this warrior.

Every day, I check in with either a Silverwing Battlemaster or Emissary, to receive my assignments. Because the ritualized rules of the Gulch require a near-even balance of forces, and there are many more Alliance adventurers than Horde in my Battlegroup, there is often a need to wait before entering combat.

To help provide an income for my family, as well as to pass the time, I often spend the slow times between battles doing mining sweeps in Elwynn Forest. There is plenty of copper here, which sells well, and the local denizens are usually wise enough to keep their distance.

My preference is to do battle alongside my guildmates from Farstriders Elite, particularly my friend Miss Aurum. However, yesterday there were no other nineteenth season members online, and so I entered the Gulch with strangers. I did have the opportunity to say hello to Miss Hydrargyrum, though, and that was a pleasure, as always. She had been most kind and helpful in my efforts to acquire my gear, and I am honored to call her a friend, even if she is almost evil.

Here are the results from battles, each a good example of how things can proceed in Warsong Gulch. In the first, I was able to defend the flag room, using my Shadowmeld and Charge abilities to ambush those who attempt to take our flag. Because our team had the advantage in this round, there were few intruders, and my kills and damage results were fairly low. Because my goal is always to win, to grasp for glory, I am quite satisfied.

This battle went very differently, however. I arrived after it had already begun, and the Alliance had already organized a turtle defense. While an impressive display of cooperation, there was no one left to attempt to capture the Horde flag, meaning that victory could not be achieved. And so I set out to do what I could to break the enemy defenses. One time I was able to kill enough defenders that a teammate could grab the flag and make a clean getaway. Unfortunately, this was our only success of the battle, and the defensive turtle eventually broke down. Having the most damage done for my side was hardly satisfying.

And that was a typical day for this twink. Some wins, some losses, some skills further refined. And home to Alynn and little Kala at the end.

May the Goddess watch over you.

9 comments:

Eustashius said...

Dakoneris,
I am pleased to hear you are doing so well. I've been wondering how things were going for you since Mr. Ratshat transferred you to your current post. Thanks for making the sacrifices you do.
best,
-e

English said...

Your stories are fun to read, and the different styles you apply to writing stories about your different characters makes them more the interesting. I wouldn't be surprised to learn you are in a profession associated with writing irl! I mean...your future alt that is.

I look forward to more stories from you!

Anonymous said...

I have loved your last couple of posts... very entertaining!

scotth said...

That is an, uhm, interesting looking child you have there.

Anonymous said...

A twink's life certainly can be interesting. Though I think that's the first someone has posted a picture of their NE baby. I wish you good luck though sir with your family and WSGing

Anonymous said...

I have got to agree with Scotth. That is one interesting looking child.

Khol Drake said...

Creepy nelf babies is creepy.

O.O

Melindrava said...

I don't know what you're all talking about - that's an absolutely adorable baby!

...Of course, I'm undead, so my standards may be a little odd...

Anonymous said...

Sorry to say this Dakoneris, but I think Alynn may have visited Duskwood while you were away in Ashenvale.