by JR Cook - 9 years ago     show comments

Exploring Draenor delves into the hidden places of the world that will one day become Outland. From the volcanic landscape of Frostfire to the gloomy dells of Shadowmoon, these articles are your guide to events that are off the beaten path.

Location: Spires of Arak; between Veil Zekk and Bloodmane Valley

Rewards: 12 x Dwarf Beard Rings, 1 x Burglar’s Vest

Tolkein you were promised, and Tolkein you shall get.

In the Spires of Arak, on the rocky slopes of the mountain forming the border of Bloodmane Valley, three ogron sit around a fire. Massive beasts, they are roasting (and eating) one of the area’s elite Dread Ravens.

The three Ogron are Toom, Wullim and Bort – a reference to the trolls that capture Bilbo Baggins and his dwarven companions in Lord of the Rings prequel, The Hobbit. The Tolkein trolls – Tom, William and Bert – capture Bilbo as he attempts to steal from them, then corner the dwarves one-by-one as they come looking for him.

Sadly, the ogron don’t turn to stone in the daylight like the Tolkein’s trolls; you’ll have to take them down the traditional way. Killing all three (they don’t do anything special) will enable you to loot the Ogron Plunder nearby, which holds the Beard Rings and Burglar’s Vest.

In The Hobbit, the Company is actually made up of 13 dwarves, plus Bilbo – so while it appears that the ogron have consumed more than nine-tenths of the group, one of the dwarves got away. Perhaps he’s hiding nearby – or perhaps the Blizzard devs just miscounted.

The Burglar’s Vest can actually be worn – combine it with an Ornate Mithril Breastplate and Stung for that true Hobbit look.