Obtaining the Artifact: Claws of Ursoc, Guardian Druid

by Magistrate - 8 years ago show comments

Today, we take a look at the Guardian druid artifact intro questline. The Guardian artifact, the Claws of Ursoc, were sealed away in the Emerald Dream after the demigod Ursoc was slain in the War of the Ancients, thousands of years ago.

Now, players are tasked with taking up the ancient weapons again in defiance of the Legion. To do so, players will return to Vordrassil–also known as Grizzlemaw city–in Northrend, descend into the Emerald Dream, and confront an ancient enemy.

Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment (Official Post)

Forged from titansteel by the titanic watcher Keeper Freya, these claws were her gift to the great bear Ursoc, one of the Wild Gods. He wielded the claws in countless battles until his death during the War of the Ancients. Although his body faded away, the claws remained, and legends say a fragment of his spirit lingered within them. After wrestling the claws away from Ursoc’s furbolg followers, a band of druids took the claws to the Emerald Dream, sought out Ursoc’s spirit, and returned the claws to him for safekeeping.

Quest Recap

Claws of Ursoc

The Druids of the Claw have long been adherents of Ursoc, a demigod in the form of a bear. Leo Stoneclaw recounts some of his history from the Tel’Andu Barrow Den in the druid Class Hall, Dreamgrove. She is also aware of his famed weapons, the Claws of Ursoc. After he was overcome by legions of demons in the War of the Ancients, Ursoc’s Claws were hidden deep in the Emerald Dream so that no one could misuse them or be overcome by their feral nature.

To find the Claws, players must return to Grizzlemaw city in Northrend. Although this may seem odd at first, the furbolgs that battle for this home of their tribes worship Ursoc, among other deities. Additionally, the tree, itself, was the first world tree created by the druids. Named Vordrassil, it was destroyed due to corruption in its roots–roots which dipped into the province of the old god Yogg’saron deep below. Questing in the area revolved around stopping the return of a corrupted Ursoc once upon a time.

To enter the Dream from Grizzlemaw and secure the Claws from Ursoc, players must first secure the blessings of another demigod to pass through magical wards. Ursol, Ursoc’s brother, grants players his favor after overcoming three trials which demonstrate the basics of Guardian gameplay and tanking. Ursol, the “tanking” companion of his “DPS” brother, abandoned Ursoc during the battle where Ursoc fell–Ursol blames himself for failing his brother to this day and asks players to become the champion he never was.

After entering the Dream, players find themselves at an Emerald Nightmare-corrupted version of Ursoc’s Lair and must fight off satyrs, Blightborn Sludges, and Corrupted Defenders to free Ursoc’s spirit. Then, Lea must be protected while she frees the Claws with a druid ritual–and yeah, you have to defend her, too.

On the cusp of victory, Xavius, the first satyr, appears to kidnap Ursoc and twist him into the monster we’ll encounter in the Emerald Nightmare raid. He leaves behind his minion, Arch Desecrator Malithar, to steal the Claws. As a final test, Guardians must defeat Malithar while he uses the Claws.

Follow our Legion Artifact coverage for more on the Artifact questlines, mechanics, and abilities. Also, don’t miss our druid Class Hall preview.