The 2.1 patch this week introduced enough new quest lines, top-end raid content, flying mounts, and L70 solo & small group content to qualify as its own game. With a three day weekend looming I didn't even know where to begin. So I scoured the web and found the where to go and what to do to get me started.

THE BLACK TEMPLE: Already planning to strut around Shattrath in your T6 Raid gear? Don't bank that T5 set too quick. The Black Temple attunement quest is ... epic. And it hasn't even been fully discovered so far. What is known is that you will have to slog through a great deal of the Burning Crusade raid content that comes before it: Karazhan, Gruul's Lair, Magtheridon's Lair, Serpentshire Cavern, The Eye and The Battle of Mount Hyjal. And many of those raids require extensive attunement quests of their own. If you are still itching to begin, you can dig in with the Tablets of Baa'ri chain out of Shadowmoon Valley to start grinding that Ashtongue Deathsworn rep.

NETHERDRAKE EPIC FLYING MOUNT: First, don't confuse this with the Swift Nether Drake top Arena teams are awarded with at the end of every season. That one has a speed increase of 310% and has an armored appearance. This is the normal epic nether drake with a speed increase on par with other epic flying mounts: 280%. What's special about this epic flying mount is that it can be obtained through solo and small group quests. No raid required. What is required is a great deal of dedication.

The first steps on your journey is to dig yourself out of Hated reputation with the Netherwing clan and get all the way to Exalted. This is accomplished through solo, 5 man and 3 man daily quests. Head to the south east corner of Shadowmoon Valley and speak to Mordenai in the Netherwing Fields. A complete write up can be found here.

RUINS OF LORDAERON ARENA: Blizzard is trying a new design based on feedback from previous arenas. There will be fewer obstacles in the geometry that will break line-of-sight. They've added items to intentionally do just that, but they are placed in the middle of the map. If you're itching to check it out, this new arena is not in the Outlands, but over the Undercity in Tirisfal Glades.

DRUID EPIC FLIGHT FORM: The druid L68 Flight Form ability gets an epic upgrade with this quest that will take the class to the ends of Azeroth and to the bottom of their piggy bank. I will cover the steps necessary to complete this later today in my Druid Epic Flight Form post. But if you just want to dive in with no spoilers and you already plunked down 5000g for 300 riding skill, then head to the druid trainer in Moonglade and he will get you started.

As a bonus, a raven land mount has a chance to drop from the final encounter. Any class can ride this mount.

ETHEREUM PRISON: If you are in good standing with the Consortium, you can help them in their never ending battle with the Ethereum. Head to Bash'ir Landing in the northern mountains of Netherstorm. This can only be reached by flight. I haven't been able to track down the starter quest NPC, but have read that you are sent to collect key drops to release prisoners. This leads to more collection quests which lead to summoning an outdoor boss which leads to a Mana Tombs encounter. To learn more, fly up to Bash'ir Landing and chat up your friendly neighborhood glowing bandage guy.

SKETTIS: The Sha'tari Skyguard wage war against the Arakkoa, the bird men of Outland who base themselves out of Skettis in Terrokar Forest. Through daily quests you can battle the Arakkoa and gain reputation with The Sha'tari. Faction rewards include rare and epic rewards as well as a shiny new Nether Ray mount in your choice of five colors. To get started, talk to Yul who stands near the flight master in Shattrath City. This content is designed for solo, small group and 5man play style. An excellent faction and quest guide is starting to take form here. Also, make sure you have a flying mount already. There is no other way to access Skettis short of a summons.

OGRI'LA: A group of enlightened ogres out of Blade's Edge want your help. Again, L70 solo and small group content is what's being served here. A repeatable, daily bombing run from your own flying mount is one of the many new activities you can enjoy, if you can avoid getting shot down.

You can start by talking to V'eru, a Naaru in the center of Shattrath. He will send you to Grok the ogre who sits in the Lower City by the Tailoring vendors. He sends you to the Circle of Blood in Blade's Edge to talk to Mog'dorg the Wizened. After you finish quests for Ogri'la, a second outpost of Sha'tari in Blade's Edge will offer additional quests.

CHILDREN'S WEEK: It's back, with a twist! In addition to the human and orc children, you can now also escort an Outland child through the wilds of Azeroth, Outland and beyond. When you're done, you too can own a shiny new pet as a reward. To get started, visit the orphanage in Stormwind or Ogrimmar for the low level quest or Shattrath for the higher level quest. You can do both the Azeroth and Outland children's week quest if you want.

Some of this information is coming in second hand, so if anyone has any updates to the information here, let me know below!

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