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Storyline
Human Heritage Armor An Urgent Matter An Urgent Matter An Unlikely Informant A Window to the Past Rotten Old Memories Looking for Something Specific The New Clessington Estate Misdeeds in Moonbrook A Hungry Heritage Supply Only the Finest Goons Betrayal of the Brotherhood To Northshire What's Their Problem? Knock It Off! The Clessington Will Will to Survive Go with Honor, Friend

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Comment by KenjiT28

Eesh, Ony ol' gal needs an updated appearance like her brothers have gotten over the years.

Comment by auryunderground

This quest can be obtained after turning in An Unlikely Informant to Master Mathias Shaw.

The NPC dialogue that goes along with this quest:

When players speak with Mathias, they receive the interact option: <Tell Shaw you are ready to hear about the history of the Drakefire Amulet.> This prompts a cutscene with the following text:

Master Mathias Shaw says: A few years after the Third War, Marshal Reginald Windsor suspected there was evil in Stormwind.
Master Mathias Shaw says: Where others saw Chaos, he saw Treachery.
Master Mathias Shaw says: In the corrupt dealings of the nobles, and the rise of the Defias Brotherhood.
Master Mathias Shaw says: Through perseverance, he discovered a grand conspiracy,
Master Mathias Shaw says: leading to the hallowed halls of Stormwind Keep itself.
Master Mathias Shaw says: That day, he confronted the most powerful noble in Stormwind, Lady Katrana Prestor.
Master Mathias Shaw says: With her lies exposed, she burst forth, revealing her true form:
Master Mathias Shaw says: Onyxia, daughter of Deathwing.
Master Mathias Shaw says: Windsor laid down his life to free Stormwind, shattering Onyxia's hold on the city.
Master Mathias Shaw says: After she fled, we discovered the cursed amulet she had used to control and persuade so many.
Master Mathias Shaw says: Concerns arose that Onyxia's power may still linger within, and so it was locked away and forgotten...
Master Mathias Shaw says: Until now.

--
--
After players watch a cutscene, they are able to ask Mathias and Vanessa further questions:

Questions for Master Mathias Shaw:

<Ask for more information about the Defias Brotherhood.>

The Defias Brotherhood exists for many reasons, but they would not exist without Onyxia.

The First War saw Stormwind razed to the ground. Edwin VanCleef led the Stonemason's Guild in rebuilding the city. But when they were to be paid, the House of Nobles refused.

It was chaos at the time, but we now know how Onyxia, as Lady Prestor, worked behind the scenes. She convinced the House that the Stonemason's work was poor, and they were being ripped off.

Then she went to the Stonemasons and convinced them that the House of Nobles despised them and would never pay them their due.

( ) <Continue.>

Her magical influence was a subtle thing. Not overt mind control. She could not force someone to do something they did not already want to do, somewhere inside.

Onyxia played both sides against each other so well, a riot erupted in the city. A thrown rock struck Queen Tiffin Wrynn, and took her life. Varian's wife, Anduin's mother. In a world of wars and demons... it was a cruelly simple fate.

King Varian was furious, and banished the Stonemasons from the city. They fled to Westfall, where Onyxia continued to stoke their rage by using her influence to cut off supplies and support to the region.

They became the Defias Brotherhood, and under Edwin VanCleef's reign, they turned to banditry and murder to recover the gold owed to them.

( ) <Ask Shaw how he feels about the Defias Brotherhood.>

It is easy to sympathize with the plight of the Stonemasons Guild.

It is not so easy to overlook the banditry and murders committed by the Defias.

Their goals never justified their methods.

But that does not mean that their goals--to see the Stonemasons paid, to help the people of Westfall--should be forgotten.

King Anduin made strides in addressing those issues, but for many, it will never be enough.

All we can do is keep trying. Forming a working relationship with Vanessa VanCleef herself... that sounds like another step in the right direction.

--
<Ask for more information about Vanessa VanCleef.>

Ah, yes. What is the Stormwind City Spymaster doing having a chat with one of the most notorious criminal leaders known to man, instead of arresting her on sight?

Good question.

Vanessa is not an innocent woman. The Furlbrows, the Deadmines... there is much she should answer for.

But war changes all of us. During the invasion of the Burning Legion, she took up her blades and poisons in defense of Azeroth. I saw her bleed for our world.

( ) <Continue.>

Maybe it's just wishful thinking. Maybe I'm just going soft. Maybe... because I knew her father...

<Shaw sighs.>

Whatever the reason, I believe there is good in her. She cares deeply for the people of Westfall.

And she is not her father. Someday, she might actually listen to reason.

( ) <Ask if Shaw knew Edwin VanCleef.>

<Shaw's jaw tightens.>

Yes, I knew him.

--
<Ask for more information about the Drakefire Amulet.>

We don't know where or how Onyxia first acquired her Dragon's Eye, as the amulet was first called. But while she had it on her person, her words were like honey to all that heard them.

Myself included. I remember a sort of... fog around her. It never occurred to me to question a single thing she said, regardless of my normally cynical nature.

Mind you, our wills were still our own. It was the combination of her cunning and her magic that gave her power. She knew what you wanted to hear... and how to push you in the direction you were already facing.

The amulet could not force anyone to do something they didn't already want to do, somewhere inside.

( ) <Continue.>

When Onyxia was in the height of her power as Lady Prestor, she placed the Dragon's Eye directly on Bolvar Fordragon. That seemed to enthrall him even more deeply than the rest of us.

But then Windsor arrived and, in the confrontation, the amulet was shattered.

Onyxia fled to her lair and locked the door behind her. But the key was within her broken amulet.

The Dragon's Eye was reforged into the Drakefire Amulet. It was used to enter her lair, where she was finally defeated. Afterward, the Drakefire Amulet was returned to Stormwind, where it was kept in safekeeping, lest its power linger.

--

Questions for Vanessa VanCleef:

<Ask for more information about her.>

What, like you don't remember "killing" me in the Deadmines?

Hah, I suppose... what am I to you but another boss of another "evil" organization that needs to be put down?

Nevermind my purpose. Nevermind my PEOPLE. I wanted to help them! The Westfall Sentinels who sent you would merely preserve the status quo!

<Vanessa sighs, and the anger drains out of her.>

It doesn't matter now. I made so many mistakes. I can't say I didn't deserve it.

Then, the Legion invaded. Everything changed.

( ) <Ask about her time fighting the Legion.>

...

...I've seen men do terrible things to one another. I've seen my people starve. I've seen my father killed. I've seen my own revolution fall apart at my feet.

The torture and pain the Legion sought to bring to our world... that was... something else entirely.

I saw many people die in those days. You can't come back from that the same person.

<Vanessa turns her head away and stares into the distance.>

**
This question has a special response for rogues, but the Uncrowned questlines from Legion may be a requirement to receive it.

What, like you don't remember all our wonderful time together?

Hah! Fine, I'll play along.

YOU took MY seat as a Shadow of the Uncrowned, during the Legion Invasion. I challenged you for the position, and... well, I was having an off day. You won. That time. Once.

Whatever.

They decided I should work for- no, that you needed someone actually competent to help do your job. So I stuck around to do the heavy lifting for you.

<Vanessa suddenly pauses, then swallows hard.>

That was a lot of demons.

( ) <Ask about her time fighting the Legion.>

...

...I've seen men do terrible things to one another. I've seen my people starve. I've seen my father killed. I've seen my own revolution fall apart at my feet.

The torture and pain the Legion sought to bring to our world... that was... something else entirely.

I saw many people die in those days. You can't come back from that the same person.

<Vanessa turns her head away and stares into the distance.>

--
<Ask for more information about Shaw.

<Vanessa rolls her eyes.>

The Spymaster for the Crown has some principle, I'll give him that. The fact that he still hasn't arrested me means he can keep his word, at least.

We have an "arrangement". I keep the Defias on a short leash, and he doesn't go after us.

Luckily for him, I'm not that interested in leading my Brotherhood to murder and robbery anymore. If only the bulk of the Defias actually felt the same...

It's getting harder and harder to keep them from hurting innocent people.

--
<Ask for more information about the Defias Brotherhood.>

<Vanessa straightens slightly.>

The Defias Brotherhood are vigilantes fighting for the people of Westfall when no one else will.

At least... we should be. Many would call us bandits. In my father's time... I have to admit it was true. His righteousness turned quickly to vengeance and greed.

But that doesn't mean his anger wasn't justified. As long as there is suffering in Westfall, there will always be Defias. I tried to lead them to be a force for revolution and good. Now, I fear they are too used to the life of the bandit.

--
The next quest in this series is Rotten Old Memories.

Comment by Spilledstars

This is effectively the quest that really begins the chain, because it is the one that has all the information describing what matters to humankind that's any different from the other races of Azeroth.

What it doesn't explain, is that back in Classic you needed to quest for a Key to unlock raids. The discovery of noble treachery and forging of this amulet were your key for unlocking the raid Onyxia's Lair and dealing with her draconic plan. One of my pals even had the item still in her bank!

This is indeed the same Onyxia that Chronormu chatted with while trying to decide what (t)he(i)r Visage Form would become.

Comment by wegie

If you actually have the Drakefire Amulet from getting attuned to Onyxia's Lair in Vanilla, there appears to be a little variation in the dialogue when Mathias Shaw talks about the necklace:

Master Mathias Shaw says: Through perseverance, he discovered a grand conspiracy.
Master Mathias Shaw says: leading to the hallowed halls of Stormwind Keep itself.
Master Mathias Shaw says: But you know this. You were there.

Master Mathias Shaw says: After she fled, we discovered the cursed amulet she had used to control and persuade so many.
Master Mathias Shaw says: While there were concerns Onyxia's power may still linger within, it remained in your possession...
Master Mathias Shaw says: Until now.

I'll have to see what the cutscene looks like on alts that didn't do the old Drakefire Amulet quest, but in my main's cinematic, Shaw handed the necklace to my toon.

It's funny that when you then talk to Vanessa VanCleef to finish the quest, she would say, "We all have our own versions of the past, don't we?"

Comment by Jacobstx

First off, it's really neat that the cinematic during this quest changes if you did the Onyxia attunement all those years ago. I remember not knowing a damn thing about what I was getting into, I barely understood english back then.

... My character seemed a lot more confident than I was back then. Also a lot more blinged out in shiny transmogs that fit together, but hey, can't fault Blizzard for not keeping track of the horrible mismatch of gear they were wearing back then.

Anyway, when Shaw said:

Master Mathias Shaw says: After she fled, we discovered the cursed amulet she had used to control and persuade so many.
Master Mathias Shaw says: While there were concerns Onyxia's power may still linger within, it remained in your possession...
Master Mathias Shaw says: Until now.

I actually rushed to my bank. I keep old, once-important stuff around all the time. And you know what? I couldn't find the Drakefire Amulet! I thought for sure Blizzard had removed the item from the game for the sake of immersion...

Then I remembered Void Storage. You know, the thing that became essentially a second bank after Transmogs didn't require you to keep ahold of the items you wanted to transmog? Yeah, I went to that and found the Drakefire Amulet there.
So if Blizzard does remove the amulet from the bank, they don't remove it from void storage.

Comment by TimeSage

If you never met Vanessa, she instead has this to say

Hmm, I suppose we have not met.
I am Vanessa VanCleef, daughter of Edwin VanCleef, who was once head of the Stonemason's Guild.
When the House of Nobles betrayed the guild and King Varian Wrynn exiled us, my father created the Defias Brotherhood to get justice.
Stormwind ordered him killed. It happened right in front of me. When I was old enough, I took up his mantle. Back then, I stood by his every action, hand on heart.
I followed his footsteps. And I realize now... I made the same mistakes. By confusing revenge and justice... I hurt the people of Westfall. People who have no one else to stand up for them.
Things are different, now.
<Ask about her time fighting the Legion.>

Comment by Bursi

This is the questline for the Human Heritage armor.
For this questline you must have a human at level 50+ who is exalted with Stormwind.
The first quest popped up after login (but just in the quest tracker, no quest window) and wants us to meet Master Mathias Shaw in Stormwind. If you didn't get the quest, try to find it at the Stormwind Embassy in the northwest.

An Urgent Matter - meet Master Mathias Shaw behind the castle in Stormwind
An Unlikely Informant - meet him again in the basement of the inn in Goldshire, Elwynn Forest
A Window to the Past - talk to him (cinematic)
Rotten Old Memories - travel to Morgan's Vigil in the Burning Steppes and talk to Ragged John. Find 4 pieces of journals at /way 62.26 63.95 Cave entrance
Looking for Something Specific - return to Goldshire
The New Clessington Estate - travel to the west of Duskwood /way 10.03 55.43 entrance, upstairs and talk to Cecilia Clessington. Leave the building and talk to her
Misdeeds in Moonbrook - travel to Westfall
A Hungry Heritage - enter /way 42.52 71.58 and go to the marked area. Open your big map to make it easier
Supply Only the Finest Goons- kill 16 enemies
Betrayal of the Brotherhood - escape from the underground (north). Use extra button VanCleef's Elixir of Speed to make it faster
To Northshire - travel to Northshire (in the north of Goldshire)
Knock It Off! - kill and loot the 4 marked enemies
What's Their Problem? - kill enemies to fill the bar
The Clessington Will - enter the Abbey and click the barrier. Click extra button Will to Survive, kill the enemies and defeat Count Clessington
Will to Survive - pick up Drakefire Amulet and give it to Master Mathias Shaw. Click extra button Will to Survive. Kill Shade of Onyxia
Go with Honor, Friend - return to Stormwind at the main entrance. Talk to Master Mathias Shaw and go to General Hammond Clay. Click extra button Honor of the Lionguard while standing in the light
- turn in, get your Lion's Heritage and the title

Questline took about 25 minutes with level 61, incl. cinematics and flights.

Lionguard red Lionguard red (Human Heritage)
Lionguard golden Lionguard golden (Human Heritage)
Lionguard blue Lionguard blue (Human Heritage)

Comment by Basilicus

I played extensively in Vanilla on my human priest, and still have the Drakefire Amulet in the bank.
In one of Shaw's dialogues, he mentioned that it was... "in your possession... Until now."
Do characters who do not own the Amulet not get that dialogue?
<spoiler>Of course, I had to check my bank after that. The amulet was still there.</spoiler>

Links

A Window to the Past

Speak with Shaw under the Lion's Pride Inn in Goldshire to hear about the history of the Drakefire Amulet.

	Speak with Shaw (1)

Description

In this, I trust Vanessa's word. I do not believe she knows what the Drakefire Amulet is. Some of the story about Onyxia was made public, but not all. Perhaps even you do not know. I will explain everything, for both of you.

Progress

Completion

Rewards

You will receive:

Gains

Upon completion of this quest you will gain:

See if you've already completed this by typing:

/run print(C_QuestLog.IsQuestFlaggedCompleted(72408))