I was lucky enough to have someone gift me with a pre-order of the Legion expansion.  This gave me the opportunity to create a Demon Hunter a couple of weeks prior to the official launch.  The only problem I'm having is that I have so little time right now to indulge in my monster-killing hobby.  I did, however, find enough time to create a new character and get as far as starting on my garrison.  I hadn't been able to play in months, so it was like coming home.  Here are some screenshots of my first day back in Azeroth.

Sure, i love my Blizzard games and play when I can, but the truth is that I am certainly no expert gamer.  I know there are some of you out there who really know the world of gaming and I'm  hoping that you will step forward and offer your expert opinions on your favorite games.

Supplies:  Crochet hook size: H/8/5 mm
                       Worsted weight yard - White and Blue
                      Stuffing and Yarn needle
 
Round 1:  Ch 2,  5 sc in first ch (do not turn. You will be working in a continuous spiral).
 
Marking the first stitch of each round is advised!  I found it helpful to make sure I counted the stitches in each round before going on to the next one just to make sure I was staying on track.
 
Round 2:  2 sc in each stitch around (10 stitches)
 
Round 3:  *1 sc, 2 sc in next sc* around (15 stitches)
 
Round 3:  *2 sc, 2 sc in next sc* around (20 stitches)
 
Round 5:  sc in each sc around (20)
 
Round 6:  *3 sc, 2 sc in next sc* around (25 stitches)
 
Another thing I found helpful was to write down which round I completed each time as it can be difficult to count your rounds when working in spiral.
 
Round 7-14:  sc in each sc around (25)
 
Method I used for sc decrease = place hook under next sc, yo and pull through that stitch, then place hook under next sc, yo and pull through that stitch, yo once more and pull through all loops on hook.
 
Round 15:  *3 sc, sc decrease* around (20 stitches)
 
Round 16:   sc in each sc around (20)
 
Round 17:   *2 sc, sc decrease* around (15 stitches)
 
Round 18:   *1 sc, sc decrease* around (10 stitches)
 
Round 19:   sc decrease around (5 stitches)
 
This is where you stuff with Poly-fill or other stuffing (more is better) 
I used end of the crochet hook to make sure stuffing was pushed evenly into the hearthstone.
 
Round 20 :   sc decrease until down to 1 stitch.
 
Fasten off and secure ends.  You may want to shape a bit with your hands and squeeze the stuffing into the areas that provide the exact shape you are looking for.

To make the swirl design, I used a blue worsted weight yarn and chained 35-40 (depends on your tension and how long you want your swirl to be).  After  finishing the chain, leave a tail that is at least twice as long as your chain before cutting yarn.  Lay out the chain in the design you want. I used straight pins to hold it in place (just don't squeeze the hearthstone too tightly while finishing your design, or you may end up with drops of blood on your hearthstone!)  Once the design is laid out as you want it, use the yarn needle with the long tail of yard to secure the design to your hearthstone using up and down stitches in the middle of each stitch on the blue chain.  Hide ends.

Please feel free to ask any questions you may have about this pattern in the comments. 
I am thinking I may hang my hearthstone from my rearview mirror (after putting a few drops of my favorite essential oil blend into the stuffing!)   If you make your own hearthstone, please share a picture.  I'd love to see.  You are welcome to share this pattern with others, but please provide a link back to this post if you share it anywhere online. 
As promised earlier, here are links to some of the other patterns that I found out there that gave me inspiration to try making one of my own.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hearthstone---world-of-warcraft    $4
 
http://www.sabrinasomers.com/hearthstone-amigurumi.php    4 EUR
 
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/amigurumi-wow-hearthstone    Free .pdf download
This one is worked in 2 halves and then sewn together, but has the shape I liked
 
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wow-hearthstone     $1

Seeing the movie gave me a feeling of nostalgia and I find myself wishing my old software would run on my current PC.   Wait!  A quick search just brought me to a site where you can download the original game that has been setup to play on a modern computer.   I'm going to put the link here, but keep in mind that I haven't actually taken the time to try it out yet so I can't comment on the safety or quality of the download.  Be sure to comment if you try the download and let us all know how it works.

Updated info:  The link above leads to a site that requests payment for unlimited downloads with tech support.  They have a price for 1 day of unlimited downloads and another for 1 month of unlimited.  I did see, however that they also offer free download at slower speed and with no tech support.  I received info on another site whose old game downloads are free. Here's the link:

Back to the movie....
It appears that the critics don't like it.  But is seems that Gamers are enjoying it in spite of the negative reviews.  I found an interesting article on CNET giving reviews from 2 different viewpoints.  Someone to plays WoW vs. some who doesn't

I gasped at the beauty of Ironforge and smiled when I recognized Stormwind.  Seeing the Gryphon in Goldshire interacting with Lothar was heart-warming.  I nudged my friend in the ribs, and she whispered "Murloc!", as we both spotted one in the the background and heard the familiar gargle. I actually looked down at my phone at that point, because the sound of a murloc is my notification ringtone and I have been conditioned to check my phone when I hear a murloc.  The whole theater laughed out loud when Khadgar sheeped an enemy during a fight.  That polymorph spell is one I always look for a chance to use when playing my human Mage. 

I thought the story line was a bit predictable, but that did not bother me in the least.  For me, it was the visuals that really made the movie special.  The scenery was so familiar and beautiful.  I was delighted to see my beloved Azeroth and its characters come to life on the big screen.  I sure hope it does well enough in the box office to allow them to start production on the next one quickly.

I look forward to hearing your opinions about the movie.  Either comment here or on the facebook post.  I will add some of the reviews as I receive them.   (Now I'm going to check out the classic download to see if it run on my machine!)  See you in Azeroth.

J. Gross (Oregon) said:  "My brain knows that Warcraft wasn't a great movie. This isn't a movie for film critics. Its a movie for the legion of fans around the world that love Warcraft and will be excited to see the movie no matter what. I loved it. I loved seeing that sweeping shot of Ironforge, I loved the glimpses of Stormwind, Westfall, and the Redridge Mountains we get to see. OMG at that polymorph spell! The other surprising thing about the movie was that it got me more interested in the history and the backstory, and I plan to read some of the Warcraft books. Regardless of how well the movie does here, it sounds like it is a super hit in China and we'll get a sequel no matter what. Here's hoping..."

B Sexton (Mississippi) said:  "I absolutely loved the movie!!! Josh I agree with you, I now want to go read the books, and for me, thats saying a lot, I hate to read!!! I also want to see about getting the older games and go back to the beginning!! I have many different characters, and I even have a orc. It brought the game to life even more than it already was for me. I cant wait to see what they come up with next, not only in the game, but I am also hoping there will be another movie!!! I plan on watching this one over and over!!!!!"

B. Westby (Oregon) said:   "I was entertained!! I thought it was so cool to see all these NPC's come to life!"