The Well Read Achievement

Since this is live now, I’m going to make sure everyone is aware that this is a work in progress, and when completed will be complete, have more detail, images and videos. At time of writing, I am 9 books short of the achievement. The alliance only parts have been completed, although much of the guide is still full of placeholders. The order used in the guide however is final.

I have written the guide with both Alliance and Horde in mind, and so the guide will split in two on occasion. The alliance should follow the blue parts of the guide, and the horde should follow the red parts of the guide.

This achievement is no walk in the park. Not everyone will have the patience to do this achievement, which makes it all the more desirable to have, so here’s how to do it. Please note that all of this information was found in the Books Database of Wowhead. If anything is ever unclear or becomes inaccurate over time, everything can be found there.

These books are the lifeblood of the lore of World of Warcraft. If you are simply looking for more achievement points, then just open the book and close it. But if you are interested in knowing more about the game and the world contained within it, then go ahead and read the books! You might be surprised to know some of the “history” behind the everyday things you see in WoW. Give it a try!

What you will need..

Scholomance Key (The Skeleton Key)
Scarlet Monastery Key (The Scarlet Key)
Karazhan Key (The Master’s Key)
Level 70
A Partner (Not 100% necessary, but it helps!)

Having a clear Karazhan instance for the week will simplify this greatly. If you don’t have a clear karazhan instance of your own, you can ask a friend of guild member if they will allow you to use theirs. Here’s a brief description of how that’s done.

You need at least two people. You, unsaved to any Karazhan instance for that week, and your friend, who has cleared Karazhan in that week at least as far as Shade of Aran.

The player who is saved to the instance must invite the person who is NOT saved to a party. Note that the party MUST be started by the player who IS saved to the instance. Then, the saved player must turn the group into a raid group.

Once the raid has been created, the raid leader must walk into the instance first. Then you’re free to use the instance to gather your books!

Part 1 – Scarlet Monastary [Video Here]

Head into the Library and follow the instance through, past the courtyard. Keep going until you find the first corridor with a red carpet. Along this corridor, enter the first room on your left.

• Aegwynn and the Dragon Hunt
  On a table in this room, red cover, guarded by 3 mobs. Red Cover.

Exit this room and follow the corridor forward again, entering the second room on the left.

• War of the Three Hammers
  On a table to the right side of this room. Can be opened without aggro’ing the mobs in the room. Brown Cover.

Exit this room and continue along the corridor until it opens out into a large room with pillars.

• Aftermath of the Second War
  In this room and to the left, on the floor under a window. Next to the quest objective for [38] Mythology of the Titans if you have done that quest. Blue cover. 
• War of the Spider
  On the floor in the back right side of the same room where we found Aftermath of the Second War. Blue Cover.
•  

Move forard through the instance to the next room, which is basically identical to the last room.

• Arathor and the Troll Wars
  At the rear of this room and to the left, near the rear door. Green Cover. 
• The World Tree and the Emerald Dream
  At the rear of the room and to the right, also a Green Cover.
•  

Proceed through the door and into the last corridor of the instance.

• Archimonde’s Return and the Flight to Kalimdor
  As soon as you walk through this door, turn to the left. It is on the floor tucked into a corner, and can be difficult to find if you’re not looking for it. Brown Cover. 
• The War of the Ancients
  Directly in front of the door you just entered, on a table. Green Cover.
•  

   

• Beyond the Dark Portal
  Further along the corridor, on a table on the right. Green cover.
•  

   

• The Scourge of Lordaeron
  Next table along the corridor, Black cover.
•  

Proceed to the end of the instance, where Arcanist Doan can be found.

• Civil War in the Plaguelands
  In Arcanist Doan’s room, to the right as you enter, on a table. Green cover. 
• Kel’thuzad and the Forming of the Scourge
  Also in Doan’s room, to the left this time, on the second table moving anti-clockwise around the room. Black cover.
•  

   

• Icecrown and the Frozen Throne
  The final book in Doan’s room, on another table to the left side, moving clockwise around the room. Green cover.
•  

Part 2 – Scholomance (Video Coming Soon)

NOTE: From this point onwards, we will occasionally trip over books that we already read in previous parts.

Get yourself a group. (Either 5 level 60’s, or as few as 2 level 70’s) It is entirely possible to solo the entirety of Scholomance at level 70, regardless of class or spec. While you’re in here, you may as well use your Argent Dawn Commission and grab some Corruptor’s Scourgestones to help boost your Argent Dawn reputation, helping towards the much covetted Argent Champion title.

Once you get the door open, using either your Skeleton Key or a rogue’s lockpick ability, we begin!

• The Lich King Triumphant
  Walk in, turn left, downstairs, first table. Brown cover. 
• The Birth of the Lich King
  2nd table moving anti-clockwise around the room. Black Cover.
•  

   

• Sargeras and the Betrayal
  Back left corner, next book around, kinda hard to see. FAR in the back corner. Black Cover.
•  

   

• The Dark Portal and the Fall of Stormwind
  On a ledge, next to the wall, moving anti-clockwise around the room. Green Cover.
•  

   

• The Seven Kingdoms
  Front Left corner, on a table. The last book in the room. Brown Cover.
•  

From here, go through the set of iron gates into the room with the Summoners. Carry on straight through this room, and out the Iron Gates on the other side.

• The Old Gods and the Ordering of Azeroth
  After walking through the Summoner room and walking through the gate at the far side, this book is on a table immediately to your left. Blue cover.

After gathering this book, turn around and face into the room. Walk forward until the room opens out, and seek out the back right corner of the room where you will find..

• Old Hatreds – The Colonization of Kalimdor
  On a table, immediately to the left of the door leading downstairs to Jandice Barov. Brown cover. 
• Kil’jaeden and the Shadow Pact
  Far back left of this room on a table. Black cover.
•  

   

• Rise of the Blood Elves
  Near Kil’jaeden and the Shadow Pact on another table to the left. Red cover.
•  

There is no need to go downstairs to kill Jandice Barov as there are no books down there. The next boss on your list is Rattlegore, who you must kill to gain the Viewing Room Key for a door we will come to later on. So head to Rattlegore and kill him. When he’s dead, go back upstairs, past the dragon whelp room and into the main chamber. On the left is an Iron Gate, behind which are stairs that will take you down to a square-shaped room with the Viewing Room Door in the back left.

• Exile of the High Elves
  As you enter this room, turn left and follow the wall. You will find this book on a ledge next to the wall, Blue Cover. 
• The Invasion of Draenor
  In the back left of this room, also on a ledge next to the wall. Red Cover.
•  

Head into the Viewing Room.

• The Founding of Quel’Thalas
  As you enter the Viewing Room, turn right, and jump up onto the platform. This book is on a table behind Marduk Blackpool. Red cover.

And you’re done with Scholomance!

Alliance Part 3 – Ironforge and Stormwind [Video Here]

Head to Ironforge, and look for the library behind the Hall of Explorers.

• The Battle of Grim Batol
  On the large table in the middle of the library, Brown cover. 
• Ironforge – The Awakening of the Dwarves
  To the left of the library as you enter, on a table. Blue cover.
•  

   

• Rise of the Horde
  To the right of the library as you enter. There are three books on this table, you want the one with the Brown Cover.
•  

   

• The Alliance of Lordaeron
  Same table as Rise of the Horde, to the right side of the library. Blue cover.
•  

Once you have read these four books, make your way to the Deeprun Tram and ride through to Stormwind. When you reach Stormwind, head to the Keep, and to the Library.

• The New Horde
  As you enter the library, turn left. The book is on a ledge, on one of the pillars that forms the doorway of the Library, behind a guard’s head. It can be tricky to spot, so take your time looking. It has a Green cover. 
• The Kaldorei and the Well of Eternity
  Also on the ledge of a pillar, near the western corner of the library. It is directly to the right of the NPC Donyal Tovald’s head. It has a brown cover.
•  

When this is done, get out of the keep, mount up, and ride to Eastvale Logging Camp. Find the large house to the southeast of the camp. It is the only house that has stairs. Find the house and go upstairs..

• Lethargy of the Orcs
  As you walk upstairs you will see a table directly in front of you. The book is on this table. Red cover.

Horde Part 3 – Stonard(Video Soon)

Find the largest building in Stonard. It is a tower-like structure, with a Blood Elf NPC named Cersei Dusksinger standing just beyond the doorway. There is a large circular staircase in this building. Walk up it. At the top of the staircase is a room. Both of the books we want are in this room.

• The New Horde
  Sitting on a table to the left side of the room. It has a green cover. 
• Rise of the Horde
  Sitting on a table to the right side of the room. It has a brown cover.
•  

Part 4 – Karazhan(Coming Soon)
Unfortunately, this section of the guide will have to wait until I have done Karazhan this week. This will happen Friday at the earliest. This section of the guide may in fact be changed in WotLK, since few people will be running Karazhan then. One of these books can be found in Westfall for the Alliance, and Thelsamar, an Alliance town in Loch Modan, for the horde. (The horde can also go to Westfall but I suspect I will add this to the Wetlands route in part 8 of the guide for Horde.)

Both of these books can be find in the library after The Curator, and will be clear of mobs once the Shade of Aran has been killed. Exact locations and fraps to follow.

• The Last Guardian
• The Guardians of Tirisfal

Part 5 – Booty Bay (Video Coming Soon)

Booty Bay is notoriously difficult to navigate for people unfamiliar with the town, so I strongly recommend using the video along with the directions here to find where you are going. Here come the directions, please read them carefully!

Step 1. Find the Big Shark (27,77) hanging upside down, outside the inn. It’s probably the most noticable landmark in the town, so we’ll start there!

Step 2. Face East. You will see a ramp going up to the top level of the town. Walk up this ramp.

Step 3. As soon as you reach the top of the ramp, you will see a bridge to your right. Walk across it.

Step 4. Once you have crossed the bridge, turn right. About 5 yards in front of you, there will be another right turn, to a ramp leading down slightly. Walk down this ramp, to where the stationary Booty Bay Bruiser is standing.

Step 5. Turn left and walk across the short bridge in front of you, then enter the building on your left.

• The Sentinels and the Long Vigil
  On one of the two bedside table in the building you just entered. It has a brown cover.

Step 6. Exit the building, and jump over the fence ahead of you. Turn around 180 degrees.

Step 7. Enter the building in front of you. If you can see “Sea Wolf” MacKinley, then you are in the right place.

Step 8. Find the flight of stairs at the back of the room and follow them down.

Step 9. You will be in a room full of boxes with a stove. There is another flight of stairs going down at the opposite end of the room, find it and go down.

• Empire’s Fall
  At the bottom of the stairs and directly in front of you, you will find a bookcase with 3 books. This one has a Blue cover. 
• The Twin Empires
  This book is on the shelf above Empire’s Fall and has a Green cover.
•  

   

• Wrath of the Soulflayer
  The last book of the three in the bookcase. Red cover.
•  

Step 10. Turn left and you will see an exit. Take that exit and turn left.

Step 11. As you walk out onto the main walkway, turn right and you will find a ramp leading upwards. Walk up the ramp.

Step 12. Turn around 180 degrees, and take the second ramp going up. You will find yourself back at the shark.

Step 13. Behind the shark as you look at it, you will see the Inn. Walk in a straight line as far as you can, under the Salty Sailor Tavern sign, and walk through the entrance on the right.

Step 14. You are now in the inn. Go upstairs and..

• Sunwell – The Fall of Quel’Thalas
  As you walk upstairs, this book is on the table directly in front of you. It has a green cover.

Part 6 – The Barrens (Work In Progress)

Once you’re done in Booty Bay, get onto the boat to Ratchet. <

• Charge of the Dragon Flights
  Somewhere in Ratchet, near the Engineering Trainer. 
• Mount Hyjal and Illidan’s Gift
  As you enter the inn, turn left and walk to the table at the very back of the room. The book has a green cover.
•  

At this point, Alliance players can begin making their way to Darnassus as they should be one book away from finishing. (Assuming they completed the Karazhan section of the guide.) Horde players need to do a little bit more in The Barrens.

• Lethargy of the Orcs
  Barrens for horde 
• Ironforge – The Awakening of the Dwarves
  Bael’modan
•  

Alliance Part 7 – Darnassus [Video Here]

Make your way to Darnassus, and to the Tradesmen’s Terrace. At around (65,75) you will find a house with a white lamp post and a purple vase outside. Enter this building and..

• The Betrayer Ascendant
  To the left as you enter, on top of a small cabinet. Black cover.

And that’s it for the Alliance! Congratulations on your new achievement!

Horde Part 7 – Silvermoon

The first place you must find is Velaani’s Arcane Goods shop, on the Walk of Elders at around (71,67). Once you’re here, walk in and..

• The Betrayer Ascendant
  Turn right. The book is on top of a crate, tucked away in the back corner of the room, near a small braizer. It has a black cover.

When you’ve read this book, leave the shop and move south towards the Wayfarer’s Rest Inn. Walk in, turn right and you will see a stairway going up in the back of the room. Go up these stairs and you will see three beds.

• The Alliance of Lordaeron
  Walk over to the red bed on the right. Just to the right of this bed is the book. It has a Blue cover.

Horde Part 8 – Wetlands

Yes, Hordies, I know. It’s been a much longer, much more difficult trek for us, compared to the alliance, who barely had to leave the comfort of their major cities. But unfortunately Thrall didn’t see fit to add a comprehensive library to Orgrimmar. It just didn’t seem important enough. And so, we head off on our final trek, the longest one yet, and the most dangerous by far! We’re heading into enemy territory!

Fly to Hammerfall in Arathi Highlands. When you land, mount up. We are riding down to Menethil Harbor in the Wetlands.

When you arrive, stop at the bridge and work out your options. We need to get into the Inn of Menethil Harbor. This inn is full of civilians who will summon Level 65 guards to attack you. You will end up with 2 or 3 of these on you, and there isn’t a great deal you can do about it. So let’s think about what we can do.

• If your class can stealth, then by all means, stealth. Reading the books will not break stealth, so as long as you don’t aggro any guards, you will be safe.
• If you are a healing class, heal yourself through whatever they throw at you. There is no need to kill the guards, since as soon as they die, they will respawn and attack you again. Merely living long enough to read the books and escape is enough.
• Use any damage reduction abilities that your class has. Warriors, use tank gear, Shaman might want to try an earth elemental totem, and so on.
• If you play a pet class, use your pet to tank the guards while you read.
• If you get lost, use the video. If you’re still unsure of where to go, log onto an alliance alt if you have one and scout out for the books, so you don’t waste valuable time when you’re doing it for real.
• If all else fails, call in some help! Remember that no matter what happens, you’ll be reading the books with guards beating on you. Improvise if you have to.

This map shows what I believe to be the sneakiest route into the inn. You should use this room to enter, and then to exit.

As soon as you enter the inn, walk upstairs. As soon as you reach the top of the stairs, look to your left.

• The Kaldorei and the Well of Eternity
  This book is on a small table in between two chairs. It has a brown cover.

Once you have read this book, turn around so that your back is facing the wall. There should be three doors, one immediately to your left, one in front of you and to the left, and one in front of you and to the right. Enter the door in front of you and to the right. (Note that in the video, I took a wrong turn and entered the room on the left first. There is no need to do this.)

• The Battle of Grim Batol
  As you enter the room, there will be a table directly in front of you with this book sitting on top of it. It has a brown cover.

As soon as you’re done, get out as quickly as you can, using the same route as you used to get in. The guards will stop chasing you if you run far enough away. I don’t recommend swimming, you can avoid all the guards by running with your feet slightly underwater.

And for those of you who think there must be an easier way of getting these two books.. it was either here or Stormwind. Your choice!

And Congratulations to the Horde on their MUCH more difficult achievement!