Obese Gamer Dies Playing

...if only it were that simple

An obese gamer from Northeast China's Liaoning Province dies after playing countless hours playing World of Warcraft.

Zhang, from Jinzhou died Wednesday at the age of twenty-six after playing many hours online. According to a doctor at Liaoning Medical Center, the cause of death was overwork and obesity.

Weighing at almost 330lbs., sleep deprivation caused his body to become extremely stressed and his heart just couldn't pump enough blood throughout his entire body.

This is not the first time someone has died after nonstop playing. In 2005, a South Korean man died after spending nearly fifty hours online at a local Internet cafe. Stopping only to use the bathroom and take brief naps on a makeshift bed, the man died of shear exhaustion.

Shortly after in 2005, a young girl, nicknamed Snowby, from Beijing died after spending several days playing WoW during a national holiday. Fellow players that played with her, held an online funeral service to commemorate her passing a week after her death.

After several several tragic incidents that demonstrated extreme devotion to role-playing games, China unveiled a new system to limit play to three consecutive hours or less. The system also keeps track of hours of play. Players must be logged off for at least five hours before returning.

It is sad that we must take such drastic measures to protect our youth. Hours upon hours are spent in the virtual world each day world wide. The majority of these online gamers are those under the age of 25. Kids are easily absorbed into this online world, and become obsessive very quickly.

This is an age of computers. New technologies are being developed each day that influence our younger generation. And we need to be careful. We need to protect our youth, and encourage them to go out into the real world.

Our children are our only hope for the future, but we are their only hope for the present and their future.

What's Cooking?

Get your skillet out and start cooking!

What's your cooking skill? Very few players actually cook their own food. That's because it's generally not worth the time it takes to gather the mats, spark up a fire, and roast a recently skinned goose. I won't lie, my skill is just high enough to brew my Thistle Tea. But that's going to change very soon.

With the TBC expansion, many profession changes were implemented into the game. Alchemists can create Super Mana Potions capable of restoring 1800-3000 mana. Weaponsmiths can make awesome epic swords. Engineers have their Rocket Boots Xtreem, which can hurl themselves forward at over 300 runspeed. And you can then bandage yourself when you crash with Heavy Netherweave Bandages. But Cooking also got a few things that will make you want to put away your bow and pick up a spatula.



































For a complete list of cooking recipes check out Wowhead

The Black Temple

Having changed hands many times in the course of its tumultuous and bloody history, the Black Temple is most recently home to one Illidan Stormrage. Facing the reigning Lord of Outland in his sanctuary will be a task not undertaken lightly.

Originally founded as a Draenei temple, this plot has been conquered and despoiled many times throughout the history of Outland, removing any spiritual grace it may have once held. The Black Temple has been the stage of the Orc Horde's blood curse, a fortress for the then-mortal Ner'zhul, and a prime staging ground for the Burning Legion's campaign of destruction.. Most recently, it has been claimed as home by Illidan, where he and his minions make their bid for power over the remnants of the shattered planet. Now, it is up to you to face the malefic forces of Illidan and his minions in hopes of freeing Outland from chaos and tyranny.

Location: Shadowmoon Valley
Level: 70
Player Limit: 25

YouTube Video Contest

YouTube is holding a video contest that asks you to record your funniest World of Warcraft moments. Have a pickup group go all wrong? Pulled a prank on your guildmates that had them all rolling with laughter? Capture it on video, and you could have the chance to win a gaming PC powered by the new Intel Core ^TM 2 Extreme quad-core processor.

For more information and contest rules please visit YouTube contest page

How To Serve Man!

Emerald would add more flavor to this crude and simple recipe on "How to serve man!" Any rogue, who frequently pickpockets, has most likely come across this at one time or another. Most would give a little chuckle when they first read it's contents; but few probably do not know it's deep meaning. Developers do not simply throw in random books for no reason at all. They love to insert little eggs here and there that only a handful of players will know their true meaning.

Admittedly, the Twilight Zone may be the most widely-known form of this story, but it is by no means the earliest. This episode of the Twilight Zone originally aired in 1962. But twelve years earlier, in 1950, Damon Knight published the short story "To Serve Man". In 1953 (still nearly a decade before the episode aired), C. S. Lewis published The Silver Chair, which contains an analogous book and play on words by a race of giants. The Silver Chair is one of the books in the widely-read The Chronicles of Narnia series.

In one of the most famous Twilight Zone episodes, a race of aliens known as the Kanamits land on Earth and promise to be nothing but helpful to the cause of humanity. Initially wary of the intentions of such a highly advanced race, even the most skeptical humans are convinced when their code-breakers begin to translate one of the Kanamit's books, with the seemingly innocuous title, "To Serve Man." Sharing their advanced technology, the aliens quickly solve all of Earth's greatest woes; eradicating hunger, disease, the need for warfare. Soon, humans are volunteering for trips to the Kanamits' home planet,Mars, which is supposedly a paradise. All is not well, however, when a code-breaker discovers the Kanamits’ true intentions. Their book, "To Serve Man", is a cookbook.

This reference has also found itself in other pop cultures such as Madagascar, The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror I, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, and Futurama. It was also mentioned in Warcraft III where a troll witch doctor delivers the famous punch line.

You just have to love the easter eggs in this game.

Change Is Good

Over the next week or so the overall look of Syndicated will change. I am experimenting with several themes that I have created. Please leave me your feedback on my design.

TBC Attunement Guide

Do you think gaining the key to Onyxia was difficult? Try and finish the new attunement quests that came with the Burning Crusade expansion.

A quick reminder, ALL instances set to Heroic Difficulty, require that everyone in the group or raid be revered with that instance's faction. You must also have the Heroic mode key with you in order to enter the instance.

Karazhan

Location: Deadwind Pass
# of Players: 10
Level: 70

Everyone in the raid must have the Master's Key

The Master's Key can be acquired by completing the following quest chain:

1. First, speak with Archmage Alturus (48,76) of Violet Eye, just outside Karazhan
2. Arcane Disturbances [70]: Alturus sends you on a quest with a Violet Scrying Crystal to take readings inside the Master's Cellar just nearby — go down each passage, do your work, and return to him
1. Restless Activity [70]: In order to complete the quest below, you must finish this one. This can be done at the same time as Arcane Disturbances
   
3. Contact from Dalaran [70]: Arathi Highlands (16,54), roughly at the northernmost part of the Dalaran dome
4. Khadgar [70]: in the middle of Shattrath City (54,44)
5. Entry Into Karazhan [70]: the first fragment found in a chest behind Murmur (last boss) in Shadow Labyrinth. You must either finish the entire instance or hug the wall to the left side of Murmur
6. The Second & Third Fragments [70]: The second fragment -- Steamvault at CF. The Third fragment can be found in Arcatraz at Tempest Keep
7. The Master's Touch [70]: take the Restored Apprentice's Key to Medivh at The Black Morass in the Opening of the Dark Portal wing of the Caverns of Time and he will turn it into The Master's Key
8. Return to Khadgar [70]: Take the key to khadgar in Shattrath
9. The Violet Eye [70]: Khadgar sents you back to Alturus with the key and seek help from the Violet Eye who will then start giving you the quests in Karazhan
   

Hellfire Citadel

Shattered Halls
Location: Hellfire Peninsula
# of Players: 5

Level: 70

Only one person in the group needs the key to open the gate in front of Shattered Halls

A rogue with a lockpicking skill of 350 can pick the gate

Attunement:

1. Entry Into the Citadel [70]: Bring the Primed Key Mold to Nazgrel (thrallmar)
   
2. Grand Master Rohok [70]: Show the Primed Key Mold to Rohok <Grand Master Blacksmith> in Thrallmar
   
3. Rohok's Request [70]: Rohok wants you to bring him:
1. Fel Iron Bar x4
2. Arcane Dust x2
3. Mote of Fire x4
4. Hotter than Hell [70]: Kill a Fel Reaver and use it's fires to forge the key. Turn the Unfired Key Mold into Charred Key Mold with the dead Fel Reaver

Fel Reaver Strategy: A Fel Reaver can be taken by a party of three level 70's composed of a tank, healer, and dps. It will be a long fight but for the most part the Fel Reaver does very little damage.

COILFANG RESERVOIR

Serpentshrine Cavern
Location: Zangermarsh
# of Players: 25
Level: 70

Attunement:

1. Enter the Slave Pens in Heroic Mode
2. Find Skar'this the Heretic captive in a cage after the first boss. Accept his quest
   
3. The Cudgel of Kar'desh [70]: Retrieve the two signets
1. Earthen Signet: Gruul the Dragonkiller in Gruul's Lair
   
2. Blazing Signet: Nightbane in Karazhan
   
4. Return the two signets to Skar'this and he will cast a spell on you which will allow you to enter the Serpentshrine Cavern

AUCHINDOUN

Shadow Labyrinth
Location: Terokkar Forest
# of Players: 5
Level: 70

Only one person from the group needs the key to open to this wing

A rogue with a lockpicking skill of 350 can open it

Attunement:

1. Retrieve the key from killing the last boss of Auchindoun's third wing, Sethekk Halls

TEMPEST KEEP
Requires a flying mount of a level 68 druid with flight form

The Arcatraz
Location: Netherstorm
# of Players: 5
Level: 70

Only one party member needs to have the key in order to enter

A rogue with a lockpicking skill of 350 can also pick the lock

Attunement: You will need some form of flight in order to complete this attunement

1. Assisting the Consortium [68]: Speak with Nether Stalker Khay'ji in Area 52
   
2. Consortium Crystal Collection [68]: Kill a dreadlord called Pentatharon (42,73 approx.) and get a crystal from him
   
3. A Heap of Ethereals [68]: (30,75) This is a repeatable quest for Consortium reputation
   
4. Warp-Raider Nesaad [69]: (28,80) has two guards
   
5. Request for Assisstance [69]: find Gahruj (47,57)
   
6. Rightful Repossission [69]: Little gray boxes along inside wall and outside of Mana Forge: Duro
   
7. An Audience with the Prince [69]: Nexus-Prince Haramad (44,35)
   
8. Triangulation Point One [69]: Use the Triangulation Device at (66,33)
   
9. Triangulation Point Two [70]: Same thing at (28,41)
   
10. Full Triangle [70]: Find Culuthas at (53,21), 70 Elite Demon
    
11. Special Delivery to Shattrath City [70]: go to Shattrath
    
12. How to Break Into the Arcatraz [70]:
    
1. Bottom Shard: drops off of Pathaleon the Calculator in The Mechanar
2. Top Shard: drops off of Warp Splinter in The Botanica

The quest chain also leads to Harbinger of Doom [70]

The Eye
Location: Netherstorm
# of Players: 25
Level: 70

Prerequisites: The following Heroic entry keys are required in order to complete the attunement quest-line for The Eye. Which means you will have to gain a reputation of revered with each faction:

1. Flamewrought Key (Thrallmar): Hellfire Citadel
2. Reservoir Key (Cenarion Expedition): Coilfang Reservoir
3. Auchenai Key (Lower City): Auchindoun
4. Warpforged Key (Sha'tar): Tempest Keep

**The Shattered Halls, Shadow Labyrinth, and The Arcatraz also have their own keys; however, only one person in the group with the key or a rogue (with lockpicking of 350+) is required to get past them

Attunement: Before you can start the Tempest Key chain, you must first finish a long quest chain that begins in Shadowmoon Valley. This quest-line begins with Oronok Torn-heart [70]. Upon completing the Cipher of Damnation quest, you will recieve a letter in the mail from khadgar, asking you to travel to Shattrath City to speak with him.

1. The Tempest Key [70]: Khadgar instructs you to speak to A'dal, who sends you on a series of trials
1. Trial of the Naaru: Mercy [70]: A'dal sends you to the Shattered Halls of Hellfire Citade to retrieve the Unused Axe of the Executioner. You must kill all three of the bosses in the Halls. This MUST be done in Heroic difficulty
1. Trial of the Naaru: Strength [70]: This requires two instance runs, both Heroic:
   
1. You must kill Warlord Kalithresh in the Steamvault of Coilfang Reservoir and retrieve Kalithresh's Trident
2. Then travel to the Shadow Labyrinth in Auchindoun, destroy Murmur, and take Murmur's Essence
2. Trial of the Naaru: Tenacity [70]: Enter the Arcatraz (Tempest Keep) and rescue Millhouse Manastorm. Must be done in Heroic difficulty
3. Trial of the Naaru: Magtheridon [70]: and last, you must enter Magtheridon's Lair and slay Magtheridon

After you have completed all four quests, A'dal will grant you the Tempest key along with the Phoenix-fire Band

A Little Romance in Azeroth

Bloodsport: Preparing for the Tournament

The battle begins in one minute! You have waited months for this very moment. You have trained day and night, preparing for a chance to prove yourself. You look around at the bloodthirsty men that make up your team. You trust every one of them with your life. Either you all will stand gloriously together in the end, or parish.

The battle begins in thirty seconds! Are we ready for this? Am I ready for this? Anxiety begins to flood your body. You feel your heart race.

The battle begins in fifteen seconds! It is too late now! Straightening your body, raising your head up high you begin to feel it. The adrenaline surging through your body. You unsheathe your massive swords, gripping them tightly as you flex the muscles in your arms. You tilt your head to either side until it pops.

Let the battle begin! The doors suddenly swing open, and the arena floor set out before you. At first you see nothing. Nothing but a vacuous open space. But then, the enemy appears.


Blizzard has announced that they are holding a global 5v5 arena tournament:

• We're pleased to announce our plans for the inaugural World of Warcraft Arena Tournament, scheduled to begin on February 16 in Europe and North America and March 3 in Korea. World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade players in these regions who consider themselves to be among the best in the game at player-vs.-player (PvP) combat will soon be able to prove it to the rest of the world. Will you and the rest of your team be up to the challenge? If so, gather your cohorts and begin preparing for the largest World of Warcraft competition ever held.

The tournament is drawing near, and your chance to face some of the most challenging players in the world is close enough for a killing-blow. Are you prepared? Are you ready to stand in triumph or will you fall to your demise?

Here are some helpful suggestions:

1. Get a good night sleep
2. Eat a nutritious meal. Lay off the bacon, you're an athlete now.
3. Take a hot shower
4. Make sure to stretch. The last thing you want to do is pull a muscle. (see below for a few stretches)
5. Make sure you have bandages, health stones, flash powder, etc.
6. Right before the battle begins, familiarize yourself with your keybinds. Make sure they are all set up
7. Go over a general strategy with your fellow teammates

Finger & Wrist Stretch
Benefits: Loosens stiff fingers, hands and wrists. Completed daily for a few months, hands will become more flexible.

Starting with the right hand gently extend the fingers back one by one. (see fig 1 & 2)

Then take them all back at the same time . This helps to stretch open your palm. Repeat several times.
see (fig 3 & 4)

Take your thumb back towards your wrist. Then bring it forwards, stretching gently and firmly. Never force it.

Finish by making a fist and slowly opening it, stretching your fingers and thumb out as far as you can.
(see fig 5 & 6)




Put your palms together, fingers pointing upwards, as if you were praying. Stretch your fingers and press palms together strongly. Keep the base of your palms pressing together, as you gradually lower your hands until your lower arms are horizontal. (see fig 7)

Then take your hands down still further, fingers and upper palms together. You should feel the stretch on the insides of your fingers and wrists. Hold for a few seconds, then repeat.

Hookah Smoking Ogre

After hours of stomping and crushing, an ogre sits down to smoke his hookah.
Got the munchies?

Nerfenfokkers Noggenfogger

Shrink me! Skin me! And make me fly! Noggenfogger can do all of this. One taste of this fabulous drug and you'll be dancing like rockstar. But, recently it has lost the appeal to many players.


In a recent patch, Noggenfogger's cooldown was increased to two minutes, and slow fall now only lasts fifteen seconds. Why would they do such a horrible thing. When an item or other element of the game is nerfed, it is supposed to be for the benefit of the game. It is to protect the integrity of the game as a whole. When has Noggenfogger ever threatened the integrity of the game.

I guess in a battleground, like Arathi Basin, one could take a quick hit and glide down from the Lumber Yard and land in the middle of the Blacksmith. Is that really all that bad. I really do not see the reason in this nerf, other than Blizzard wanting to control us even more.

They take away our toys.
They take away our fun.
They took away my soul.
What will they take next.

Being Sick

There haven't been any updates the last few days, and I have a good excuse, I am sick. Coughing, sneezing, fever, headache, the whole nine yards. I am sure all of you are very worried, and you should be. I might die. What would become of all my fans if I were to meet my creator in the heavens above.

Oh, who am I kidding. I'll be fine. Just a little cold. I'll begin updating on Monday.