Wastewander

Wastewander
Main leader	Arik Scorpidsting
Formerly	Caliph Scorpidsting
Secondary leaders	Captain Navid Sandstone
Formerly	Warlord Ihsenn †
Race(s)	Human
Character classes	Assassin, Bandit, Hunter, Outrider, Priest, Rogue, Scout, Shadowcaster, Shadowmage, Thief, Tracker, Warrior
Capital	Obelisk of the Moon
Other major settlements	Eastmoon Ruins (Tanaris); Ruins of Ammon, Oasis of Vir'sar, Maker's Ascent (Uldum)
Formerly	Ankhaten Harbor, Orsis, Obelisk of the Sun, Temple of Uldum, Ruins of Ahmtul (Uldum); Noonshade Ruins (Tanaris)
Base of operations	Scorpidsting's Schooner
Theater of operations	Tanaris; Uldum
Language(s)	Common
Affiliation	Uldum Accord, Independent
Status	Active

The Wastewander (or Wastewanders and Wastewander Bandits) are a group of humans who inhabit the deserts of Tanaris and Uldum. As their name implies, the group was formerly nomadic; wandering around Tanaris and later Uldum following the the Cataclysm. They have spent many generations as brigands, whether on land or sea until they decided to hang up that life for a chance at a more peaceful existence at some point prior to the Fourth War.

By the time of the Assault in Uldum, the Wastewanders were shown to have established several settlements in abandoned tol'vir ruins and encampments left behind by Schnottz's crew across the desert; complete with trade caravans and a port. They are currently led by Arik Scorpidsting and were formerly led by Caliph Scorpidsting when they were a gang of bandits.

History

Arik Scorpidsting, the actual leader of the Wastewanders.

Arrival at Tanaris

The Wastewander descend from a small band of human pirates who arrived in Kalimdor in year 20 ADP, shortly after its discovery by the people of the Eastern Kingdoms. When the Southsea Pirates arrived at Tanaris, they got into competition with the Wastewander, fighting and stealing the few ships they had, resulting in the Southsea pirates marooning the Wastewander in Tanaris.

World of Warcraft

This section concerns content related to the original World of Warcraft.

In time, the Wastewander took to a new life as outlaws and started raiding rich goblin settlements and capturing their life-giving water wells. They could be found at the Noonshade Ruins and the Waterspring Field. At some point, they became the enemies of the Gadgetzan Water Company after they murdered their employees, stole their resources, and seized their properties in the desert. Consequently, their leader Caliph Scorpidsting was sought dead by Chief Engineer Bilgewhizzle, who also sent adventurers to reduce their numbers, so that the company could recover their water wells in the region.

For unknown reasons, The Ginormus became a gladiator with his warhounds in the Thunderdrome of Gadgetzan. He was described as the biggest, baddest member of the Wastewander Bandits.

For every five water pounches recovered from the bandits and brought to Spigot Operator Luglunket, the Gadgetzan Water Company offered the contributor an official care package for their help.

Cataclysm

This section concerns content related to Cataclysm.

Following the Cataclysm, all of them, along with their leader, moved into the Eastmoon Ruins after the Noonshade Ruins were flooded.

After the failure of neighboring Uldum's cloaking device, a few Wastewanders, led by Warlord Ihsenn, split off from the main group and moved into Uldum to pilfer treasures of the titans. Ihsenn's bandits moved into the Sahket Wastes and the Ruins of Ahmtul. On their way west, they raided the Seal of the Sun King, a defense mechanism and holy site for the city of Ramkahen, and stole the relics which powered it. During the attack, they used the Venomblood Scorpid's potent toxin to poison Sun Priest Iset. Consequently, Sun Priest Asaris tasked adventurers to recover the relics, to help him prepare an antidote for Iset, and finally to bring retribution (according to the laws of Ramkahen) by killing Warlord Ihsenn. Some Wastewanders moved even further west to become laborers in the army of Commander Schnottz.

Legion

This section concerns content related to Legion.

During the Legion Invasions of Tanaris, the Wastewander fought against the demonic invaders at the Eastmoon Ruins.

Battle for Azeroth

This section concerns content related to Battle for Azeroth.

The Obelisk of the Moon, headquarters of the Wastewanders in Uldum.

At some point, Arik Scorpidsting became the new leader of the organization, and while the status of their former leader Caliph Scorpidsting remains unknown, the Wastewanders decided to hang up their life of brigands for a chance at a more peaceful existence. In time, the western half of Uldum has been taken over by the Wasterwanders; making their base of operations at the Obelisk of the Moon. While they appeared to have abandoned their posts at the Ruins of Ahmtul, they took over Schnottz's Landing (renaming it Ankhaten Harbor), the Obelisk of the Sun, Orsis, the Temple of Uldum, the Ruins of Ammon and the Oasis of Vir'sar. The group has also taken the remnants of the equipment used by Schnottz's crew, which can be seen in their usage of flamethrowers and bombers, and now own a ship named Scorpidsting's Schooner.

Following the Fourth War and the return of N'Zoth, the Wastewanders traveled to Ramkahen for an audience with King Phaoris. Despite protestation from High Commander Kamses, the King allowed their presence at the war meeting. They swore to the pact of the Uldum Accord, joining forces with Ramkahen and the Explorer's League to see the region defended against N'Zoth's forces and the Amathet. After the meeting, Wastewanders could be found at Ramkahen, claiming that Uldum was now their home as well and that they would fight to defend it. When spoken to, Arik claimed that the Wastewanders were a changed people.

By the time of the Assault in Uldum, the Wastewanders have been overrun in several locations. With the exception of the Obelisk of the Moon, the Oasis of Vir'sar, and the Ruins of Ammon; their various settlements have been taken over by the aqir. While they were dealing with the monstrous bugs, Arik Scorpidsting asked the adventurers to find the patrol he sent at Orsis to investigate the disappearance of their caravans coming from the south. There, they discovered that only a small holdout group remained after an aqir ambush, though they were all injured save for a lone Wastewander mender; Outrider Lashan and Laborer Mitchell were part of this group. Mitchell begged the heroes to find any survivor among the victims, while Lashan redirected them to warn Tracker Samara at Ankhaten Harbor that they should no longer send caravans to Orsis. However, they discovered that the harbor was also completely taken over by the forces of N'zoth, where the resident Wastewanders became infested by the insectoid servants and were used as carriers for their egg swarms, as well as guardians of the area. After her report, Samara tasked the adventurers with clearing out some of the area, notably by burning the bodies of the deceased in order to prevent insects from multiplying, but also by destroying with explosives those which have been transformed into abominations.

Ankhaten Harbor invaded and infested by the aqir.

Unable to push back so many enemies, Samara tasked the heroes to check the situation at the Ruins of Ammon and if possible to request reinforcement to regain control of the harbor. Although the ruins were also attacked, Mender Dyrin explained that they had enough fighters to keep control of the ruins despite their losses. He therefore requested support to treat and evacuate the wounded, then to help Ar'kali the Dervish and her warriors in their fight against Anq'uri the Titanic and Ruinator Xok'nixx, the leaders of the aqir assault. Finally, he asked them to help Zahra Sandstalker to use one of the old bombers at the Obelisk of the Sun, so that Arik could finally know the situation of their settlements across the region. After collecting fuel and eliminating the aqir present at the request of Zahra, they used the plane to travel to the Obelisk of the Moon. Upon arriving, they discovered that the Obelisk of the Moon was already invaded by the aqir led by Prophet Skitra and began to bombard the enemies. However, this was only an illusion of the prophet and they had actually attacked their own allies. Despite the damage caused, Arik finally managed to receive the situation reports, and ordered Captain Navid Sandstone to regroup their forces in order to prepare for war against the invaders.

Throughout the rest of the conflict, the Wastewanders continued to support the allied forces in repelling the Aqir Assaults, cleaning up the remains after the battles ended. Since the invading aqir forced them to flee many of their settlements in Uldum, Arik Scorpidsting tasked the adventurers to recover their lost supplies across Uldum, in order to help them survive against the enemy and the cold nights of the desert. Other members also regularly asked for the number of aqir to be reduced, but to burn the bodies of the deceased, and if possible for some support to care for the injured. Wastewanders could also be found attempting to retake the Temple of Uldum at the Maker's Ascent, and were accompanied by an Explorer's League entourage of Reno Jackson, Sir Finley Mrrgglton, H'partho Ardoros, Elise Starseeker, Brann Bronzebeard, and Harrison Jones.

Culture

Every Wastewander carries with them a unique coin, signifying their status as a member of the group. After their death, the coins are recovered to give solace to their families.

After they spent many generations as brigands, whether on land or sea, they have not forgotten the lessons they have learned in those days. One such lesson is when faced with a superior opponent, it often helps to use their weapons against them.

The Wastewanders use the hyena pelts to construct their armor, therefore, their hunters regularly collect them on their hunting grounds in the region.

In the desert, they usually travel using camels and Wastewander skyterrors. Captain Navid Sandstone also could be seen patrolling on a horse.

Members

A Wastewander during the Assault in Uldum.

Named

Name	Occupation	Status
Arik Scorpidsting	Leader of the Wastewander	Alive
Caliph Scorpidsting	Former leader	Unknown
Warlord Ihsenn	Warlord	Deceased
Navid Sandstone	Captain	Alive
Dartan Oilpan	Flight Master	Deceased
Arianna Swiftsand	Member	Alive
Ar'kali the Dervish	Member	Alive
Farah Tamina	Stable Master	Alive
Laborer Mitchell	Member	Alive
Mender Dyrin	Member	Alive
Outrider Lashan	Member	Alive
Provisioner Qorra	Member	Alive
Tracker Samara	Member	Alive
Yasmin	Innkeeper	Alive
Zahra Sandstalker	Member	Alive
The Ginormus	Member	Killable

Unnamed

• This section concerns content related to Battle for Azeroth.
  • Wastewander Dervishs
  • Wastewander Exterminators
  • Wastewander Foremans
  • Wastewander Laborers
  • Wastewander Menders
  • Wastewander Outriders
  • Wastewander Trackers
  • Wastewander Scouts
  • Wastewander Settlers
  • Wastewander Warriors
  • Infected Wastewanders
  • Infested Wastewander Scouts
• This section concerns content related to Cataclysm.
  • Wastewander Darkcasters
  • Wastewander Survivalists
  • Wastewander Trackers
  • Wastewander Outriders
  • Warhounds
• The subject of this section was removed from World of Warcraft in patch 4.0.3a but is present in Classic Era.
  • Wastewander Assassins
  • Wastewander Bandits
  • Wastewander Rogues
  • Wastewander Scofflaws
  • Wastewander Shadow Mages
  • Wastewander Thieves

Former

• Slacking Laborers
• Schnottz's Landing Laborers
• Infested Wastewanders
• Infested Wastewander Captains
• Wastewander Hosts

Reputation

Killing Caliph Scorpidsting gives 15 reputation with Gadgetzan if doing so grants experience. All Wastewander NPCs in Tanaris have (or had) a chance of dropping a  [Wastewander Water Pouch]. These are once used to be turned in to Spigot Operator Luglunket in stacks of 5 for Gadgetzan reputation and a  [Gadgetzan Water Co. Care Package], which may contain food, water, and/or potions. Wastewander NPCs, as of Cataclysm, no longer drop leatherworking patterns for the Tough Scorpid collection armor pieces.

Gained rep from normal Wastewander NPCs.

Name	Friendly	Honored	Revered	Exalted
Ratchet	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5
Booty Bay	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5
Gadgetzan	5	5	0	0
Everlook	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5

In the RPG

This section contains information from the Warcraft RPG which is considered non-canon.

The Wastewander Bandits are a band of outlaws who wander Tanaris. They are led by Caliph Scorpidsting.

There are no easily attainable sources of water anywhere in Tanaris and so the Gadgetzan Waterworks Company build wells across the desert to farm fresh water. Mostly everyone leaves the wells alone, except for the annoying Wastewander Bandits who steal the water for their own use. You have to watch out for them as they will kill you on sight, steal your water, and then — if the rumors are true — they will "distill" your body, draining all the liquid out for their own use.

Notes and trivia

• According to Aaron "Sandy Toes" Williamson, the Wastewanders have been good for Uldum following the defeat of Commander Schnottz.
• Despite having use of the Schnottz's crew's bombers, the Wastewanders do not have active flight paths. The only known Wastewander flight master, Dartan Oilpan, is dead at Ankhaten Harbor.
• The Ancestral Guardians of Uldum are portrayed as humans in-game, being called "ancestral" and being part of a titan security system, are implied to have been around much longer. However, this may possibly have been a developer oversight. Similar NPCs are Indentured Protectors.
• The Wastewanders were led by a caliph, a title originating from Islam. However, there is no lore about the Wastewander's variant of a caliphate.
• Despite still also using the normal human click quotes, the Wastewanders were given their own unique click-dialogue for the Assault in Uldum; with Arik Scorpidsting receiving unique dialogue.
  • In spite of their similar, if not larger, importance, the Rajani on the other hand were not given any dialogue, thus making the entire faction silent when clicked on; including their leader who has unique voice lines for World Quests and in the storyline of the patch.

Speculation

This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.

Before being captured, Enslaved Bandits were likely Wastewander.