World of Warcraft at Ten Ton Hammer

With Cataclysm fast approaching, WoW players everywhere are preparing to start the (thankfully short) journey to level 85. As you plow your way through post-Cataclysm Azeroth it is inevitable that you will soon be faced with the six new factions available, their rewards, and the usually mind numbing grinds that go along with them. Guides to help with the reputation grind for each faction are in the works,, but that doesn’t mean you need to head into Cataclysm totally clueless in the meantime.

Below are the six new factions available and some basic information about each that will allow you, the reader,  to move confidently into the flow of the factions and reputations of Cataclysm. For those in a hurry quick references to the factions most notable rewards can be found in the sidebar.

The Guardians of Hyjal

A druidic faction, the Guardians of Hyjal as their name implies, are charged with protecting Mount Hyjal and Nordassil. Resembling the Cenarian Circle of the old world this faction wishes to repopulate the region with animal and plant life.

To start your relationship with the Guardians, first pick up the Mount Hyjal related quest (available at level 80) from an announcement board that can be found in one of your faction's major cities. From there you will be sent first to Moonglade, then be taken via green dragon to Mount Hyjal. Here you will discover some very grim news, and get your first introduction to the Guardians of Hyjal. Almost all quests in this zone provide reputation for this faction.

Faction Quartermaster: Provisioner Whitecloud
Quartermaster Location: Mount Hyjal - Nordrassil

Item Name	Type/Slot	Reputation	Spec
Tabard of the Guardians of Hyjal	Tabard	Friendly	All
Mountain's Mouth	Neck/Neck	Honored	Tanking
Galrond's Band	Finger/Finger	Honored	Melee DPS
Cloak of the Dryads	Back/Back	Honored	Healing
Wilderness Legguards	Mail/Legs	Revered	Spell DPS/Healing
Waywatcher's Boots	Plate/Feet	Revered	Melee DPS
Sly Fox Jerkin	Leather/Chest	Revered	Physical DPS
Aessina-Blessed Gloves	Leather/Hands	Revered	Spell DPS/Healing
Acorn of the Daughter Tree	Neck/Neck	Revered	Physical DPS
Arcanum of Hyjal	Enchant/Head	Revered	Spell DPS
Wrap of the Great Turtle	Back/Back	Exalted	Tanking
Treads of Malorne	Mail/Feet	Exalted	Physical DPS
Cord of Raven Queen	Cloth/Waist	Exalted	Spell DPS/Healing
Belt of the Ferocious Wolf	Plate/Waist	Exalted	Spell DPS/Healing

The Earthen Ring

Already an existing part of WoW, the Earthern Ring is dedicated to bringing harmony between the elemental forces of Azeroth, and is the most influential shamanistic organization currently in the world.  The Earthern Ring has become a major player in the world since the rebirth of Deathwing which has forced the elements into utter chaos.

At level 82 players will be able to pick up a quest from their local announcement board relating to the underwater city of Vashj’ir or taking them into the Maelstrom to Deepholm. Once a quest is chosen the player will begin their journey to either of these fantastic new zones and begin their reputation gains with the Earthen Ring. Both these zones provide reputation gaining quests for the faction, however reputation rewards can only be found in Vashj'ir.

Item Name	Type/Slot	Reputation	Spec
Tabard of the Earthen Ring	Tabard	Friendly	All
Stone-Wrapped Greaves	Plate/Legs	Honored	Tanking
Mantle of Moss	Mail/Shoulder	Honored	Physical DPS
Pendant of Elemental Balance	Neck/Neck	Honored	Healing
Helm of Temperance	Cloth/Head	Honored	Spell DPS
Softwind Cape	Back/Back	Revered	Melee DPS
Peacemaker's Breastplate	Plate/Chest	Revered	Healing
Leggings of Clutching Roots	Leather/Legs	Revered	Spell DPS
Cloak of Ancient Wisdom	Back/Back	Revered	Spell DPS
Arcanum of the Earthen Ring	Enchant/Head	Revered	Tanking
World Keeper's Gauntlets	Plate/Hands	Exalted	Healing
Signet of the Elder Council	Finger/Finger	Exalted	Physical DPS
Flamebloom Gloves	Cloth/Hands	Exalted	Spell DPS
Earthmender's Boots	Mail/Feet	Exalted	Spell DPS

Ramkahen

Once part of the Tol’vir race which was created to safeguard the secrets of the Titans, the Ramkahen are direct descendents of those Tol’vir that succumbed to the Curse of Flesh. While they no longer have the stone bodies of the original Tol‘vir, the Ramkahen are still dedicated to protecting the secrets that are a part of their heritage. Resembling cats, the Ramkahen race flows nicely with the overall Egyptian feel of Uldum.

Your relationship with the Ramkahen will begin around level 83 as a breadcrumb type quest  becomes available that can be picked up at your nearest Archaeology trainer, or announcement board. Once obtained, the quest will send you to Thistleshrub Valley in southern Tanaris to meet up with a caravan just outside the Gate of Unending Cycles. After a rather long (but totally worth watching) cutscene in which you help escort the caravan into Uldum, you will meet your first member of the Ramkahen, Prince Nadun who is currently a captive.

Faction Quartermaster: Blacksmith Abasi
Quartermaster Location: Uldum - Ramkahen

Item Name	Type/Slot	Reputation	Spec
Tabard of Ramkahen	Tabard/Tabard	Friendly	All
Belt of the Stargazer	Mail/Waist	Honored	Physical DPS
Drystone Greaves	Plate/Feet	Honored	Healing
Shroud of the Dead	Cloth/Back	Honored	Melee DPS
Ammunae's Blessing	Finger/Finger	Honored	Healing
Arcanum of the Ramkahen	Enchant/Head	Revered	Phyiscal DPS
Robes of Orsis	Cloth/Chest	Revered	Spell DPS
Red Rock Band	Finger/Finger	Revered	Melee DPS
Quicksand Belt	Leather/Belt	Revered	Physical DPS
Sash of Prophecy	Mail/Waist	Revered	Healing
Desert Walker Sandals	Cloth/Feet	Exalted	Spell DPS
Sandguard Bracers	Plate/Wrist	Exalated	Tanking
Sun King's Girdle	Plate/Waist	Exalted	Healing
Gift of Nadun	Neck/Neck	Exalted	Melee DPS