I have finally managed to acquire the Green Shard - one of the three shards needed to reconstruct the powerful artifact

After reading about The War of the Shifting Sands I can't help but musing as to what a tremendous effort it had cost our predecessors to actually complete the whole quest chain. 

I also think about a friendly community World of warcraft once knew, obviously, because without those players' support those chosen ones would have never succeed in their attempt. 

Why has this so dramatically changed? Mind you, those players only helped, which means they did not benefit from any of the purple quest rewards so the only fact that the level cap was raised since then is hardly an excuse. My main character is 20 levels and 3 years above this event and still it seems to be even more difficult to gather  (much less number of) people for different parts of this chain. I read about War effort and all the preparations that had to be made and it becomes clear that achieveng something this size seems unlikely to be possible in Lich King era. People are self-obsessed, and would only join to help you if they know they would be fairly rewarded for their assistance. The Lore itself does not interest them as long as it does not provide any upgrades for their characters.  

With the upcoming new Cataclysm expansion that puts an end to dungeons involved in this chain, I can't predict how  far I will be able to proceed, but I am greatful to the bunch of friendly folks who assist me and, which is more important, enjoy what they are doing, because playing side by side with a person that thinks and sees alike is a much greater entertainment.

Later I will upload a few screenshots I've done during defending Nighthaven from Eranikus as part of the chain. We managed to duo the event (me, epic holy priest and him, t9 feral druid). And I have to say this is one of the many outstanding things that make this game shine. I take my hat off before Blizzard for this.

And let's hope one day I would have the honor of holding the Scepter in my hands.