The image above is from an MMO Champion post on the latest wave of the elemental invasion world event that marks the run-up to Cataclysm. Yes folks – s**t just got real.

Elementals are attacking major cities, and in Stormwind they’re doing some damage but largely rendering themselves as an annoyance, but over in Orgrimmar they’re doing some serious damage and setting most of the buildings ablaze. Who’s left to defend the cities? You are, of course – while the guards are busy evacuating the civilians, lowbies, and other city residents, you’re left to fortify the city defenses and stand against the rampaging elementals.

Perhaps the best part is that once you’ve defended the city, not only do you earn an achievement, but you get a shot at a big-bad elemental with ICC 10 style loot on it, and since the attacks are coming in about 2-hour waves, everyone should get a turn. Happy hunting!

A pretty epic post over at the official forums is reminding us that Deathwing isn’t planning to make his re-emergence into Azeroth a one-time, forget-about-it deal. He’s serious about this whole “destruction far and wide” thing. Quoth the Zarhym:

One of Azeroth’s oldest adversaries will soon tear through the Elemental Plane to reforge the world in flame, but this foe won’t be conducting his reign of terror from the confines of a castle or lair. Deathwing is a destructive force the likes of which adventurers have yet to see in World of Warcraft, and his appetite for devastation can only be satisfied by the shattering of the world. Following his explosive escape from Deepholm, Deathwing will cast a deadly shadow over the people of Azeroth as he wreaks indiscriminate havoc across the land.

Once free to terrorize the world, Deathwing will randomly choose territories in Azeroth to attack each day until his ruinous reign is brought to an end. A blackened sky will be the only warning before every living creature caught in his approach is consumed by his terrible fire. The unfortunate victims of his malice will receive a rare Feat of Strength… as well as a repair bill and corpse run.

When Deathwing returns, you’d best keep your eyes on the skies.

Apparently Deathwing isn’t messing around, and some of the video footage out there already proves the point – if you’re in the path of fire when he comes by torching your zone, you can kiss your ass goodbye. But hey – you get an achievement!

Midsummer Fire Festival - Courtesy Flickr User: Ulalume

Yesterday marked the beginning of what I’ve mentioned before is my favorite in-game holiday in the World of Warcraft, the Midsummer Fire Festival. There’s just something about riding around on your mount or flying around Outlands and putting out fires and honoring other fires and collecting blossoms and everything that I just love.

Or it could just be that I like fiery things, who knows. But it also plays into why I tend to love the Lunar Festival so much too, because it involves much of the same activities. Still, the Fire Festival is here and in full swing, and the loot table has changed up a bit this year – the Scorchling is gone this year, and in its place is the Frigid Frostling.

Speaking of such things, Ahune’s loot table has been changed up, and now that holiday dungeons are included in the Dungeon Finder, there’s no reason for you to not get out there and pick up some of his sweet new gear from his recently uplifted loot table.

Are you angling for some new gear, or do you already have your Flame Keeper/Flame Warden title and pet? Are you going to be collecting blossoms, maybe on an alt this time around? Let us know in the comments!

Blizzard’s made a number of Cataclysm-related announcements recently (leading up to an Alpha or a Beta perhaps?) including the upcoming Operation Gnomeregan and new zones coming in Cataclysm including Mount Hyjal and Vashj’ir.

Now, as a Horde mirror to the quest to retake Gnomeregan, the Trolls are out to retake their homeland, The Echo Isles, and Blizzard has released a boatload of information about what they and their allies will have in store when they move to retake the islands:

After years in exile, the Darkspear trolls are preparing to invade the Echo Isles and reclaim the land once bestowed to them by Thrall. Led by Vol’jin, a wise and highly regarded Darkspear, the tribe’s bravest warriors will set out from Orgrimmar and Sen’jin Village, seeking to bring about Zalazane’s fall and begin the process of rebuilding their homes and villages on the Echo Isles. In World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, new troll adventurers will begin their journey on these tiny islands off the coast of Durotar, where they’ll be able to experience this time of trial and transition firsthand.

Though the Darkspears may once again have their land, the tribe’s turmoil is far from over. The impending cataclysm will spark rivalry among the Horde leadership, and after years of running from a seemingly endless string of conflicts to preserve the Darkspear nation, Vol’jin is done fleeing. The Darkspears have reclaimed their islands and have no intention of settling elsewhere. Of course, as an untested member of the tribe, you’ll have some training to do before tackling the Darkspears’ larger matters.

Looks like there’s more to this than meets the eye and there may be implications for the leadership and future of the Horde. Very interesting story implications indeed. So while the Alliance are happily off to retake Gnomeregan, the trolls will have their homeland back, but at what cost and what will amount from it?

It’s official, love is in the air in Azeroth! The event started on Sunday, so if you haven’t completed the meta achievement and you’re interested in getting your Violet Proto-Drake for What A Long, Strange Trip It’s Been, you’d better get cracking on collecting love tokens and downing the nefarious Apothecary Hummel (who drops a mount!)

Among some of the new gear hotness this year is the above – a hot love rocket – the rare mount that you can pick up during the holiday event. Also among some of the new loot this year? A head item that’s essentially a red rose you wear in your teeth.

You heard me right. All the ladies (and the gentlemen, for that matter) will love you with a rose in your teeth!

For those of you already making the rounds, how are the new achievements going for you? For those folks who killed themselves trying to collect the right candies and such last year, are you even giving this year’s a try or are you skipping it entirely? Share your experiences in the comments!