World of Warcraft's Violet Proto Drake
Hallow’s End, Winterveil, Children’s Week and other Events
Apr 30, 2009
The Violet Proto Drake may well be the rarest mount in World of Warcraft. It’s also one of the fastest, with a flight speed of 310 percent. The only way to earn the Violet Proto Drake is to complete the world events achievement “What a Long Strange Trip it’s Been.”
Doesn’t sound too hard, right? Ah, but in order to earn “What a Long Strange Trip it’s Been,” and the Violet Proto Drake reward, World of Warcraft players have to earn the achievements for every world event in the game.
There are eight world events, each requiring six or more quests to receive their respective achievements. The total number of world event quests comes to 75. It takes at least a year to earn a Violet Proto Drake—longer if the player has been unlucky enough to miss a couple of world event quests.
From Love is in the Air to Winterveil
The world events are the same no matter which World of Warcraft faction you choose. The Horde stole some holidays from the Alliance, and the Alliance swiped some from the Horde. The first world event of thee year is Love is in the Air, a Valentine ’s Day event, and the last is the winter festival of Winterveil. Along the way player’s gather eggs during Noblegarden, get hammered during Brewfest, and gorge on candy for Hallow’s End.
Here’s a brief description of the events players need for the Violet Proto Drake. Dates are approximate, and may differ slightly from year to year.
Love is in the Air
Love is in the Air runs from February 11 to February 16. Players offer gifts of affection to the guards and citizens of their faction cities, finding true love and getting their hearts broken in the process. The achievement for Love is in the Air is called Fool for Love, and players who earn the acehievemtn gain the Love Fool title.
Lunar Festival (February 12 to March 3)
The Lunar Festival is based on Chinese New Year. Players travel across Azeroth honoring ancestor spirits, setting off fireworks, and defeating an ancient evil in Moonglade. Completing all Lunar Festival quests earns the To Honor One’s Elders achievement and the title of Elder.
Noblegarden
Noblegarden runs in the last week of April. Players hunt for chocolate eggs, equip themselves in spring outfits and turn each other into egg-laying bunnies. The achievement is called Noble Gardener and comes with the Noble title.
Children’s Week
Children’s Week is the first week in May, during which players act as surrogate parents for war orphans. This includes escorting orphans across the world, taking them into battle grounds, and other activities social workers wouldn’t approve of. The title for Children’s Week is Matron / Patron, and the achievement is For the Children.
Midsummer
The Midsummer festival runs from June 21st to July 5th. In addition to dancing around ribbon poles players honor Midsummer fires across Azeroth and try to extinguish the rival faction’s flames. The achievement and title is the Flame Warden.
Brewfest
Possibly the most popular World of Warcraft event, at the end of September, involves the ingestion of large amounts of alcoholic beverages, and defending said beverages against those who would steal them. The Brewmaster achievement is also the event’s title.
Hallow’s End
The last two weeks of October are given over to Hallow’s End. Players trick or treat, collect silly costumes, and battle the dread Headless Horseman. The achievement for completing all Hallow’s End achievements is Hallowed Be They Name, and players can earn the title The Hallowed.
Winterveil
Winterveil is the final holiday in the World of Warcraft calendar, taking place in the last half of December. Greatfather Winter gives out presents, and players can help out by rescuing kidnapped reindeer. The title and achievement for Winterveil is Merrymaker.
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