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AnotherWorld of Warcraftexpansion meansa whole catalog of newaccessories, pets, and mounts, and one of the most unique is theSandstone Drake.This oversized dragon isn’t a rare drop from a boss or a reward for an obscure achievement, but one of the mounts players can find through the new Profession of Archaeology.
The mount itself isn’t found by digging it up from the sands of Uldum once you become an Illustrious Grand Master Archaeologist. The player has to find a canopic jar with an Alchemy recipe contained within for an epic concoction called the Vial of the Sands, which opens to reveal the Sandstone Drake.
A character doesn’t have to be an Alchemist to use the Sandstone Drake. They just need the services of an Alchemist in order to make the Vial of the Sands. This also means it’s possible to buy or sell this item at the Auction House. Although prices tend to vary between servers when it does appear, the price is always astronomical.
Finding The Canopic Jar
Available Only to Illustrious Grand Masters
Only the highest level Archaeologist can find the Tol’vir digsites, and these only appear in oneof the newCataclysmzones, Uldum. This is an area for character level 83 and higher. It features an ancient Egyptian aesthetic, complete with anthropomorphic animal rulers and a vast desert filled with ancient stone ruins.
TheCanopic Jaris one of the common-quality items that players can find more than once. The description recounts the tragedy of Emperor Ninjter and how his promising reign was cut short. Unlike other relics, this one can be opened. Most of the time, it contains the organs of the dead monarch. Once in a while, however, the jar opens to reveal a recipe for the Vial of the Sands. Only an Alchemist can find this bind-on-pickup recipe, and they must be an Illustrious Grand Master Alchemist to learn the recipe and make it.
The Art Of Alchemy
A Complex Recipe Of Rare And Expensive Ingredients
The following ingredients can be purchased from a vendor in Uldum or made by an Alchemist.
There are three Alchemical Mastery categories: Potion, Elixir, and Transmutation. Each one can transmute Truegold, but the Transmutation Master has a shorter cooldown time and can perform the spell more often.
Where To Acquire
Pyrium-Laced Crystalline Vial
Purchased from Yasmin in the Oasis of Vir’sar, Uldum for 4,500 gold
Sands Of Time
Purchased from Yasmin in the Oasis of Vir’sar, Uldum for 2,700 gold
Truegold
Transmuted by an Alchemist using 3 Pyrium bars, and 10 each of Volatile Air, Fire, and Water. Requires Alchemy level 525.
Flask of the Winds
Made by an Alchemist with a level of 525 using a crystal vial 8 each of Volatile Life, Whiptail, and Azshara’s Veil.
Flask of Titanic Strength
Made by an Alchemist with a level of 525 using 8 each of Volatile Life, Whiptail, and Cinderbloom.
The Vial Of The Sands
Release The Sandstone Dragon
Opening the Vial of the Sands doesn’t give the player the ability tosummon the Sandstone Dragon, butto turn into the mount themselves.So not only does the player become a dragon, but they can take a passenger with them. There are other large mounts that do this; for example, the mammoth mounts fromThe Wrath of the Lich King.However, none of the others are capable of flight.
Even though it can only be found and crafted by a high-level character, the mount is account-wide. Even a level one player can ride it, but only Apprentice Training is required to use it. In order to use it as a flying mount within Azeroth,a Flight Master’s Licenseis required.
