There I was, hanging out in Darnassus, pouring the remnants of my latest loot frenzy into my bank. Now, I don’t call it “crap” per se; I prefer to think of it as “potentially useful stuff for later.” You never know when that extra pair of boots or that random enchanted scroll might come in handy, right?

I was proudly sporting my new guild name over my head, a bright and flashy emblem of my newfound guild pride. The guild name made me feel like a real part of something bigger. I was sipping coffee, enjoying my day off, and puffing away on a cigarette—yes, back then, I didn’t know any better about the hazards of mixing virtual and real-life vices.

I was just standing there, minding my own business, when an awesome level 17 rogue saunters up to me. He’s all decked out in cool gear that makes my Night Elf Hunter look like a beginner’s mistake.

“Greetings and how fares your day?” he says. I try to sound composed, but inside, I’m giddy with excitement. This rogue is clearly a big deal.

His name is Greedie. We chat for a while, and he’s really friendly, which is a relief because, let’s face it, I’ve met my share of snooty players. Then, out of nowhere, he asks, “What spec are you?”

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I blink. “What the effin’ eff is a spec?” I mentally curse my ignorance.

I swear I can almost see his eyes rolling. Greedie, bless him, patiently explains the concept of “specs” to me. Apparently, there are three hunter specs: Beast Mastery, Marksmanship, and Survival. Each one has its own strengths and talents. “You’re wearing leather,” he explains, “and you need lots of agility. Trust me, that robe isn’t going to help.”

I look down at my lovely robe. Bollocks. So, I’m supposed to toss it in favor of gear that boosts agility? Fine, but it’s still a bit of a letdown.

With Greedie’s guidance, I opt for Beast Mastery. It sounds way cooler than Marksmanship or Survival. Plus, Beast Mastery means I get to focus on my pets, which is right up my alley. Although, in hindsight, I should’ve had Survival in those bloody barrows, but we live and learn, right?

To top it off, Greedie gives me an awesome ring—the Defias Ring. It’s a sweet piece of loot that I cherish. Even now, 20 years later, it still sits in my bank, a nostalgic reminder of my early days in WoW.

Greedie helps me sort out my talent points and gear, and suddenly, everything makes a lot more sense.

To this day, Greedie is one of my oldest friends in World of Warcraft. We’ve had countless adventures together, and his patience with my noobish questions has been a cornerstone of my gaming journey.

So, thanks to Greedie, I’m no longer wandering around with a mismatched robe and a clueless expression. I’m a Beast Master now, and it feels fantastic. Here’s to many more quests, adventures, and perhaps a few more enlightening encounters with the wonderful world of WoW!