World of Warcraft players have been busier than usual since Death Rising, the Shadowlands pre-patch event, finally hit live servers on November 10th. While the first set of quests abruptly ended on a cliffhanger, the remaining ones are now available in-game. For the next week, players can finish up the pre-patch storyline and earn an exclusive achievement.
After Sylvanas Windrunner broke the Lich King's helm, the Jailer's forces kidnapped various faction leaders and sent the undead rampaging across Azeroth once again. For the past few days, players have already struck back with the Argent Crusade, establishing a foothold and killing various Scourge bosses in Icecrown. Now the time has come to discover what dark entity is leading the Cult of the Damned and take it out permanently.
Return to Icecrown
After logging in, players can pick up the new quest "A Message from the Justicar" from the main Argent camp in Stormwind or Orgrimmar. Take the Northrend Dalaran portal and head over to the Argent Tournament Grounds. Turn the quest in to Justicar Mariel Trueheart and accept the follow-up from Crusader Renn standing nearby. Then fly over to where the week 1 quests previously ended to get started on some new tasks.
Rescue, Investigate, and Sabotage
The next 2 quests involve rescuing captured Argent Hippogryph Riders and gathering enough clothes to make a disguise for players. The hippogryph riders will be chained to the side of the ramparts and can only be freed by using a Torturer's Key looted from nearby Vile Torturers. On the other hand, the Collaborator's Hood and Collaborator's Robe will drop from Cult Researchers inside the main building.
After finishing both jobs, the next quest sends heroes to Mord'rethar to eavesdrop on a Forsworn Kyrian, Herald Dalora, telling Cult of the Damned members that the Jailer is finally setting his plan to destroy life in motion. Once it leaves, immediately turn in the quest and follow the next one's prompt to sabotage 3 nearby cauldrons by throwing plague barrels into them before heading back to the camp.
Confronting the Darkness
With this grave revelation, the Argent Crusade decides players must take out Herald Dalora to disrupt the Scourge efforts. Jump on a nearby hippogryph and it will automatically fly over the Cathedral of Darkness, where players need to destroy enough undead from the skies. Afterwards, the final quest has World of Warcraft heroes defeat Herald Dalora within the cathedral and then deliver this news to Stormwind or Orgrimmar. After speaking with Greymane or Lor'themar, players will get the Death Rising feat of strength as a souvenir of Shadowlands' pre-patch storyline.
Zombie Invasion
At the same time, plagued crates and critters are now appearing in all capital cities across Azeroth. If infected, players will turn into a zombie once the debuff runs out unless they quickly speak to an Argent Healer or cleanse it with spells. Zombies are hostile everything except fellow zombies, can communicate cross-faction with each other, and come with 5 spells including the ability to explode and infect everything nearby. Unlike the past 2 outbreaks, most players will have flying and can easily avoid coming in contact with any infected. However, everyone should note that being attacked by a zombie will flag PvP for 5 minutes which is a minor annoyance.
With today's release, it's the final stretch until Shadowlands comes out in 7 days. While veteran players will need to wait a bit longer for new content, the pre-patch still offers the best way to gear up alts for most of the 50-60 leveling experience including a guaranteed ilvl 115 weapon that drops from Nathanos Blightcaller in the Eastern Plaguelands.
World of Warcraft is available on PC. World of Warcraft: Shadowlands will release on November 23rd.
Source: Wowhead