Kyle The Frenzied -- Quest mob in Mulgore

[Maq-]

It's been awhile since I rerolled a new Tauren, and noticed this wolf hauling ass around Bloodhoof Village, so I decided to look it up and see what it was for..

I think it's really cool that Blizzard did this, and how something so simple can really make someone's life. =)

In a relatively short three years, World of Warcraft has granted literally millions of gamers the ability to ditch their dreary real-world lives by role-playing online as fantastical heroes and heroines. In the case of Ezra Chatterton, however, such a gift takes on an entirely new meaning.

Courtesy of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, this ten year-old gamer suffering from a metastatic brain tumor has been given the proverbial key to Azeroth, joining World of Warcraft's lead designer Jeff Kaplan in the creation of a new character, quest, and epic item for the world's most massively multiplayer game.

Ezra's journey to Blizzard's Irvine headquarters began soon after his parents divorced five years ago. Despite a genuine interest in World of Warcraft, his father Micah was unable to afford the costs of the subscription-based game. An unfortunate twist of fate changed that, however, when an errant fire burned down his home. With all of Ezra's toys destroyed in the blaze, Micah set aside a chunk of the insurance money for a computer, high-speed internet access, and the retail game itself. Soon father and son bonded over battles against the Horde.

"There were a lot of things that are unconventional with our relationship, and the way we choose to bond and spend time together," explained Micah Chatterton in a recent article in the Orange County Register. "WoW was something we had researched and talked about."

The emergence of Ezra's cancer back in March quickly led to a trip to the emergency room, followed by heavy doses of pain ********** and an extended stay at the hospital. When the Make-A-Wish Foundation got in touch, his dream of visiting Blizzard and crafting a character became a virtual reality.

Over the course of the whirlwind day, Ezra created a quest based on an elder Tauren named Ahab Wheathoof and his dog Kyle the Frenzied (based on Ezra's real-world pet Pembroke Welsh Corgi.) The character is voiced by Ezra himself thanks to some time in Blizzard's recording studio. Kaplan even raised Ezra's character ePhoenix to level 70, loading him up with loot and gold. Toting a brand new, ultra-rare flame-shooting crossbow, he enjoyed the surreal opportunity to pop into Shadowmoon Valley, single-handedly clearing the way for a European clan to fight the mega-boss Summonus. A proud moment, to be sure, but few are as proud of Ezra as his father.

"I asked him to think about why he likes to play WoW and one thing he said was he likes interacting with people he doesn't know. No matter how crappy things are going on the outside, in the real world, he can be strong and successful and really turn heads in WoW."

Blizzard hopes to implement Ezra's quest and item within the next month. Those interested in donating to Ezra's heath-care costs can contact Micah Chatterton at [email protected].

[Enfeebleness]

That's neat of them

Wish more companies did things like that, would probably have more decent games in the process...

[Marlo]

You should search before you post, my friend

[Enfeebleness]

You should search before you post, my friend

Pssssssst. Me or him?

[Marlo]

Him, There's a big thread about this somewhere.

[Maq-]

You should search before you post, my friend

I did search.

I searched for "Kyle the frenzied"

I searched for "Make a wish"

I searched for "New quest in Mulgore"

Didn't find a single hit. If you can search and find one, my hat's off to you, but I did, and found absolutely nothing.

[JimFTW]

Hat plz: http://www.mmowned.com/forums/wow-ex...highlight=ezra

[Maq-]

*gives you the hat*

Good find, searched better than I can I guess =P

[Enfeebleness]

You searched for things using some pretty common words....