Before We Step Through the Dark Portal: Part 3 - A Final Farewell to Vanilla

As I sit here reflecting on my time in Vanilla WoW, I realize that what truly made it special weren’t just the epic boss fights or the endless grinding for that one elusive drop. No, it was the guilds—the communities of misfits, role players, raiders, and adventurers that I had the pleasure of being a part of. These are the guilds that shaped my journey through the world of Azeroth, each with their own quirks, personalities, and unforgettable moments.

Here’s a little trip down memory lane for each of them:

Smokin’ Horde

Ah, the irony of the name! Despite what you might think, we were an Alliance PvP guild, and boy, did we love the mass slaughter of the Horde. Whether it was battlegrounds, world PvP, or just randomly rolling through Tarren Mill, we lived for the thrill of battle. The Horde might have thought they were safe in their own territories, but if Smokin’ Horde was in the zone, no one was safe. We left a trail of blood, tears, and crushed Horde dreams wherever we went. “For the Alliance!” we cried as we cut down anything red in sight.

Hilde Leoma

My very first guild! You guys will always have a special place in my heart. I’ll never forget those early days of running around like a noob, getting lost, and getting ganked by random murlocs. Hilde Leoma was where I learned that WoW wasn’t just a game, but a place to make friends—even if half of them were just as clueless as I was at the time. Thanks for the laughs and for putting up with my early hunter “skills” (or lack thereof).

Dor’Ano

If I could describe this guild in one word, it would be family. You guys were always there for each other—whether it was to share a bad day, a great loot drop, or Duffs’ dodgy jokes. Seriously, his jokes are what carried us through half those long raid nights. No matter how tough things got in-game or out, Dor’Ano was a sanctuary where everyone felt like they belonged. And isn’t that what being a family is all about?

Entwined

A true sanctuary. You were the guild I turned to when I needed a break from the chaos. Peaceful, calm, and full of wonderful people, Entwined was where I could just breathe and enjoy the game without pressure. Whether it was quiet RP sessions or just hanging out in-game, you gave me space to grow and learn. We might not have been the most hardcore raiders, but we sure knew how to make every moment count.

Guardians of the Circle

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The best guild of misfits ever! Every day in this guild was like a mini-adventure, full of unexpected chaos and laughter. You were the type of guild that could turn a casual evening dungeon run into an epic, hours-long saga of “who pulled the wrong mob this time?” You didn’t care about being the best—you cared about having fun. And that’s why I’ll always remember our time together so fondly. Also, I still can’t believe half of us survived Gnomeregan that one time. Pure luck.

The Hidden Tree

What exactly was hidden? No one really knows! RP guilds are always a little mysterious, but you guys took it to another level. From the intricate backstories to the perfectly executed character interactions, I often felt like I was part of a secret world within Azeroth. You made role-playing feel like a grand adventure, even when we were just sitting around in Elwynn Forest debating whether gnomes are people or not. (Spoiler: we never really agreed on that one.)

Sword Attack Klang Klang

I mean, the name says it all. My first raid guild, and boy, did we raid with the subtlety of a wrecking ball. There was nothing delicate or planned about our approach—we went in loud, proud, and ready to smash whatever was in our path. You guys were the chaotic energy every raid needed. Whether we were pulling aggro on accident or jumping headfirst into a boss fight with no plan, you always made it fun. And somehow, we always managed to get the job done… eventually.

Order of the White Rose

Ah, my second raid guild. You guys were serious raiders, and we went HARD. I learned a lot about raiding from you, from the most efficient boss strategies to the best snacks to have on hand for those long raid nights. (Pro tip: Don’t eat chips while healing, it never ends well.) The amount of planning and effort you all put into every run was impressive, and while we took it seriously, there was always room for a bit of banter. You were pros, but you never forgot to laugh.

Theramore Yacht Club

Fond memories indeed! RP with you guys was always a blast, and the gnome tank… Barry, was it? He was a legend in his own right. I’m not sure how many times we had to rescue him from getting squished, but it was worth it every time. Whether it was role-playing as pirates on the open seas or just hanging around in-character, you always knew how to make the game feel like a big adventure. Plus, nothing says fun like a gnome in a tank role, right?

Elysium

Thank you for giving a new raider a chance to grow. I’ll admit, I was pretty green when I joined you guys, but you were patient, supportive, and just the right amount of tough love to help me figure things out. You taught me that raiding was about more than just gear—it was about teamwork, timing, and occasionally, praying to RNGesus. Thanks for helping me become the raider I am today (or at least, not a total noob).

Moonlit Hearth

RPers extraordinaire, you made every interaction feel like a piece of art. From the dramatic moments to the lighthearted tavern gatherings, Moonlit Hearth knew how to bring stories to life. There was never a dull moment with you guys, whether we were deep into some serious lore discussion or laughing over an out-of-character joke that had us all breaking character. You reminded me that role-playing is about creating magic—and you did it with flair.

Blood Bound

Ah, Shadamehr. I think you might be my favorite tank ever. Late-night Dire Maul runs with you were some of the best experiences I’ve had in this game. You made tanking look easy (even when it wasn’t),, and your sense of humor kept us all going when things got tough. Blood Bound was a tight-knit group, and we always had each other’s backs, whether we were out in the world causing havoc or in dungeons, figuring out the best way to not die. And somehow, you always pulled it off with a wink and a grin.

Soulbound

Still my guild on Cerria, and still one of the most dedicated groups of people I’ve ever had the pleasure of playing with. Whether we’re running dungeons, taking on world bosses, or just hanging out in guild chat, you’ve always made it feel like home. There’s something special about a guild that sticks together for so long, and I’m proud to still be a part of it. Here’s to many more adventures ahead!

To all the guilds that shaped my journey through Vanilla WoW, thank you. You dragged me through the first part of Warcraft, and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Now, as we stand on the cusp of the Burning Crusade, I carry all of these memories (and all of you) with me.

Let’s see what lies on the other side of the Dark Portal.