World of Warcraft Midsummer Fire Festival Begins

It's summer time in Azeroth! Along with the latest World of Warcraft update - Shadow of the Necropolis - comes the "Midsummer Fire Festival", signaling a time of merriment and a chance to revel in the hottest season of the year by lighting celebratory bonfires across the land and sharing in what the elemental spirits have to offer. Between June 21st - July 5th, new seasonal quests and events are set to take place all over Azeroth, and if they turn out to be as great as last winter's Lunar Festival, we're in for a ton of fun!

Gathered around the great fires built at this special time of the year, revelers pass on tales of the elemental spirits and once forgotten magic. A celebration of flame, it is rumoured that adventurers who are willing to brave the hardships and dangers of distant lands may learn to harness the power of the flames...

"Bonfires have been lit across Azeroth in festival camps to rekindle the spirits of its celebrants and ward off ancient evils. These sacred flames are guarded by flamekeepers and it's rumoured that the myriad powers of the flames includes both cleansing and blessing.

Dancing around ribbon poles is a popular activity amongst friends and fellow celebrants in the many festival camps. Although traditionally a focus for the joyous celebrations, all participants will without doubt appreciate the resulting resistance to heat!

Fire Festival quest givers can be found in the capital cities. As the celebration of the flame is spread throughout the land of Azeroth there will be many new perilous journeys to embark on with exciting seasonal rewards to match those heroic enough."

The Midsummer Fire Festival traditionally ends with the sky itself being set alight. The goblins of Undermine have lent their considerable skill (and copious amounts of gunpowder) to the task, resulting in a tremendous fireworks show! Some fiery pictures have found their way in our local gallery, and you can learn more about the new Midsummer Fire Festival events and rewards here, while waiting for the patch v1.11 to download.

The pyro in me burns with expectation!

(N.B. Archive text, links removed)