Wikia

Shimmering Expanse
Level 80-82

Races	Naga Sea vrykul
Government	None
Location	Vashj'ir

The Shimmering Expanse is the second zone in the undersea region known as Vashj'ir. It is the stronghold of the naga empire within the area. Besides the wide variety of plant and marine life there are also many mysterious wonders such as Nespirah. This zone is home to the ancient Ruins of Vashj'ir. Players will learn about the ruins and what befell them, as well as interesting factoids about Queen Azshara and Lady Vashj's mother.

History

See history of Vashj'ir.

Geography

The Shimmering Expanse, unlike nearby Kelp'thar Forest, contains many deep trenches and high shelves, as well as a smattering of caves with natural air pockets. Four main areas take up the bulk of the Expanse: the Shimmering Grotto in the northwest contains an abundance of sea life as well as thick areas of kelp and seaweed; Nespirah lies southeast of this and is a giant sea creature that adventurers can enter and walk through, battling naga and others that would use it to their advantage; due south of this is Biel'aran Ridge which is littered with shipwrecks and toppled ruins; and to the southwest lies the Ruins of Vashj'ir, what remains of the mighty naga empire, stretching three vast layers almost to the surface of the ocean.

Travel

Getting There

Players make their way to the Shimmering Expanse as part of the overall Vashj'ir quest progression that begins in Kelp'thar Forest. The quest Across the Great Divide has players swim across the Lightless Reaches into the cave opening that leads into the Shimmering Expanse. The cave mouth is located to the west of The Clutch in Kelp'thar Forest.

Besides picking up and utilizing the flight path located on the Sandy Beach, an alternative is to use a flying mount from Dun Morogh's northwestern-most point. Players should be able to reach the Expanse without dying from Fatigue, provided they have at least a 280% flier.

Flight Master locations

Sandy Beach, Shimmering Expanse (north end)

Voldrin's Hold, Shimmering Expanse

Sandy Beach, Shimmering Expanse (south)

Stygian Bounty, Shimmering Expanse

"Swim" Master locations

Swift Seahorse <Flight Master> in Silver Tide Hollow, Shimmering Expanse
Swift Seahorse <Flight Master> at Sandy Beach, Shimmering Expanse (north)
Swift Seahorse <Flight Master> in Tranquil Wash, Shimmering Expanse
Swift Seahorse <Flight Master> at Voldrin's Hold, Shimmering Expanse
Swift Seahorse <Flight Master> at Sandy Beach, Shimmering Expanse (south)
Swift Seahorse <Flight Master> at Legion's Rest, Shimmering Expanse
Swift Seahorse <Flight Master> at the Stygian Bounty, Shimmering Expanse

Mass transit

Only during the quest Full Circle: Pincer X2 at Voldrin's Hold; The Verne at the Stygian Bounty

Adjacent regions

Zone Name	Level Range	Direction
Kelp'thar Forest	80-82	North
Abyssal Depths	80-82	West

Inhabitants

Normal

Classification	Type
Beast	Crabs
	Eels
	Frenzies
	Puffer fish
	Remoras
	Sea Snakes
	Sea Turtles
	Sharks
	Snails
	Sting Rays
	Whale Shark
Humanoid	Deep Sea Murlocs
	Gilgoblins
	Kvaldir
	Nagas
	Naga Anomalys

Rare mobs

Name	Type
A H Burgy Blackheart	Loot
A H Captain Florence	Loot; surface vessel
A H Captain Foulwind	Loot; surface vessel
A H Poseidus	Loot; marked with "X"

Resources

Source	Item	Skill Level
Herbalism	[Azshara's Veil]	425
Herbalism	[Stormvine]	425
Mining	[Obsidium Ore] from Obsidium Deposit	425

Source	Item
Cloth (Drop)	[Embersilk Cloth]
Skinning	[Savage Leather]

Though there are no fishing pools, you can fish; 575 fishing is required to fish without catching junk.

Notable characters

Main article: Shimmering Expanse NPCs

In the Shimmering Expanse, players will encounter visions of the past, revealing necessary information about the great battle that took place at the Ruins of Vashj'ir. This includes information about the Queen of the Naga, Azshara, as well as Lady Vashj. Players also take control of a mysterious naga known as the Naz'jar Battlemaiden, in the service of Lady Naz'jar and Lady Sira'kess.

Players also encounter the Earthen Ring shaman, Erunak Stonespeaker, as well as the Earthen Ring shaman Earthmender Duarn whom they assist in freeing Nespirah from the naga.

Quests

Main article: Shimmering Expanse quests

While many of the quests have to do with repelling attacking naga and resupplying the players' respective factions, there are two main stories that take the bulk of the zone. The first is Nespirah, a deep sea demi-god that has fallen under the control of the naga. Players assist with helping her regain her will, driving the naga out while rescuing their own people in the process who have also been enslaved. The second main thrust of the zone has to do with stepping into the past and reliving some of the zone's most important battles from the viewpoint of the naga. Players assume the form and control of a Naz'jar Battlemaiden, undergoing three quest chains where they see the naga battle the kvaldir.