Leads to https://classicdb.ch/?quest=973

As of today I can confirm that the drop rate remains ridiculously low for the quest item.

I had no problem at all farming for it as a 22 hunter (I got here a bit late), but it was utterly boring. A few notes on my last 30 minutes of gaming.

First of all, the "ruins" where you'll find the Dark Strand mobs are located right around 32, 31...just head northeast from Maestra's Post and you'll run right into them. There are four mobs that drop the quest item: Dark Strand Cultists (with imp pets), Dark Strand Adepts (with VW pets), Dark Strand Excavators, and Dark Strand Enforcers. Despite what other posters may have noted, the drop rate of the quest item is the same for all of the mobs: 4 percent. As I noted earlier, it took me around 30 minutes to drop...just long enough for me to start considering going elsewhere.

While I managed to garner a tiny little bit of coin, some wool cloth, and a green or two, I'm still not entirely sure the effort put into this quest was worth the reward.

If you have other quests to do, don't really need to grind for experience, or simply don't like to grind then this quest isn't for you. If you need the experience, enjoy grinding, and have 30 minutes to a couple of hours to blow, get to it. :-)

I have been dealing with some of the Dark Strand scum northeast of here at Ordil'Aran. One of their number possesses a soul gem

Yeah, I'd say the Quest was pretty clear about it.&nbsp Ordil'Aran is nowhere near the Tower.&nbsp It's close to the guy who gave you this quest, who is at Maestra's post.

I was able to solo the area NE of Delgin the Purifier as a level 19 hunter, keeping my pet in Happy mode (125% damage) and being willing to run at the first sign of add. Two hunters together at 19 should have no problems unless you fall asleep at the keyboard.

This is the rarest drop I've seen in WoW so far. It took my friend and I a combined hour and a half (I'd estimate) together soloing and grouped, chain killing everything at the site.

So just be prepared. We had both gotten our gem right at the point where I was starting to get bored, so I guess it's not too bad. And I dinged 20 there.

DIRECTIONS
Starting from Delgren the Purifier at Maestra's Post walk NORTH (using your Minimap as a Guide) into a house.
You're in the right house if you notice a purple-haired Elvan Female in a green dress named Liladris Moonriver. SHE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS QUEST (but she may have a quest for you).

JUMP OFF THE BALCONY ------ WEEEEEEEEEE!

Wave to the Wild Bucks as you follow the eastern slope of the mountain.

Continue in this NORTHEAST direction (as indicated by the quest) until you've encountered a mass of Dark Strand fiends.

HURRAY! You've found the location!

COORDINATES
Generally the area is pretty vast, but the roundabout coords are 31,31

MINIONS A PLENTY
Bring a friend or solo if you're feeling brave. Just about each Dark Strand member has a friend of his/her own to blast you to smitherines with. I hope you brought the picnic basket.

All I can say is that:

1) Read the quest text.
2) Get a friend (upper level guildie) to help you.

You can wipe these out really quickly when you have a friend or a party. It's not too bad, you just might have to suck up whatever pride you might be showing and ask for help. Otherwise, forget it. As a hunter or lock this could be easy, but otherwise you'll be pulling 2 mobs plus minions.

Get potions or a healer and you'll be okay, though. ^_^ Good luck.

All those who got the drop quickly that's good for you, but most of us ARE in the correct area (the ruins of Ordil'Aran in Ashenvale north of Maestra's Post) and it just takes a long, long time killing the mobs before the gem drops.&nbsp You played the odds and got lucky, but for most of us the odds suck.

It's in ASHENVALE .... cords: 31,31&nbsp :) ... North-East from Maestra's Post.