Kelp'thar Forest is the first zone of Vashj'ir, which is one of the two 80-82 level-up zones in Cataclysm. Breadcrumbs to Vashj'ir come from Stormwind and Orgrimmar in an auto-quest which starts as soon as players step in to their respective faction's city. After a few introductory quests, players can choose to head to Vashj'ir or Hyjal. On the Call of Duty, players will find themselves shipwrecked in Seafarer's Tomb or Legion's Fate in the northern portion of Kelp'thar Forest.
Kelp'thar Forest is very heavily phased and is a directed-questing experience. Following the breadcrumbs throughout the three zones of Vashj'ir is straightforward, leading to a natural storyline progression.
The other 80-82 level-up zone is Mount Hyjal. The quest chain of Mount Hyjal also starts from the Cataclysm auto-quests in Stormwind and Orgrimmar and drops players off underneath Nordrassil, the world tree.
After completing the Shimmering Expanse and Abyssal Depths portions of Vashj'ir, the next zone is Deepholm, which is started yet again at the Earthen Ring earthshrines outside of Stormwind City and Orgrimmar.
Seafarer's Tomb/Legion's End[]
From Stormwind/Orgrimmar:
- [80] A Personal Summons (Alliance) / (Horde)
- [80] Eye of the Storm (Alliance) / (Horde)
- [80] To the Depths (Alliance) / (Horde)
- [81] Call of Duty (Alliance) / (Horde)
- [81] Sea Legs
- [81] Pay It Forward
- [81] Rest For the Weary
- [81] Buy Us Some Time / [81] Traveling on Our Stomachs
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- [81] To Arms! / [81] Stormwind Elite Aquatic and Land Forces
- [81] Girding Our Loins / [81] Helm's Deep & [81] Finders, Keepers
- [81] On Our Own Terms / [81] Bring It On!
- [81] All or Nothing / [81] Blood and Thunder!
To Shallow's End.
Shallow's End and Smuggler's Scar[]
- [81] Better Late Than Dead
- [81] The Abyssal Ride
- [81] Good Deed Left Undone
- [81] Gimme Shelter!
- [81] Ain't Too Proud to Beg
- Side quests: [81] A Case of Crabs, [81] The Horde's Hoard
- [81] Can't Start a Fire Without a Spark
- Side quests: [81] A Girl's Best Friend, [81] A Taste For Tail
- [81] Ophidophobia
- Side quests: [81] Nerve Tonic, [81] Kliklak's Craw
To "A Desperate Plea" in The Clutch.
These quests contain subtle references to Rick Astley's song "Never Gonna Give You Up". Specifically, in A Girl's Best friend, the quest giver mentions that she is no stranger to love, and Mack remarks in Nerve Tonic that you would not get this (his alcohol) from any other guy.
Budd's Dig[]
After stealing the keg of explosives on "Can't Start a Fire Without a Spark", an optional side-chain opens up with Budd Nedreck <Budd> at Budd's Dig.
- [80] Oh, the Insanity!
- [80] Dah, Nunt... Dah, Nunt...
- [80] Shark Weak
- [80] DUN-dun-DUN-dun-DUN-dun
- [80] A Bone to Pick
- [80] Decisions, Decisions
The Clutch[]
After Ophidophobia in the Smuggler's Scar:
- [81] A Desperate Plea
- [81] Undersea Sanctuary
- [81] Spelunking
- [81] Debriefing
- [81] Wake of Destruction
- [81] Come Hell or High Water
- Side quests: [81] Decompression, [81] What? What? In My Gut...?, [81] How Disarming
- [81] The Warden's Time
To the Shimmering Expanse in Across the Great Divide.