War stories, articles & game guides
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2026
Expeditions,
War Stories &
Culture
War stories, articles & game guides
Gamer
Tribute
2026
Expeditions,
War Stories &
Culture
“Slave thing! Rakjak want me to babysit you while I kill hardknuckles. I feeling generous today, so I let you kill some too, but don’t get in Goregek’s way! Rakjak not know yet, but Goregek has eye on big bad hardknuckle mama. We go to Hardknuckle Clearing to east and poke softknuckles with poker and she sure to come yelling!”
<Goregek rubs his hands together gleefully.>
-Goregek the Gorilla Hunter
Goregek the Gorilla Hunter has given you a Softknuckle Poker for use on Softknuckles to draw the Hardknuckle Matriarch out of hiding. Slay the Hardknuckle Matriarch and report her death to High-Shaman Rakjak at Frenzyheart Hill. If you lose Goregek’s Shackles, speak to Elder Harkek in Frenzyheart Hill.
Provided item:
You will be able to choose one of these rewards:
Upon completion of this quest you will gain:
Quest Giver: Goregek the Gorilla Hunter (your wolvar companion)
Objective: Use the Softknuckle Poker on Softknuckle gorillas to lure the Hardknuckle Matriarch out of hiding, then kill her. Report to High-Shaman Rakjak at Frenzyheart Hill.
Quick Facts
Walkthrough
Head to the Hardknuckle Clearing at [65, 75], southeast of Frenzyheart Hill. Look for the Softknuckles: small, baby gorillas that are non-aggressive.
Use the Softknuckle Poker (provided quest item) on 2-3 Softknuckles. They’ll squeal and run around in distress. After you’ve poked enough, the Hardknuckle Matriarch spawns and charges you. Kill her. Goregek will help fight and can serve as a tank if you let him grab aggro first.
Return to High-Shaman Rakjak at Frenzyheart Hill [55, 69] to turn in.
Troubleshooting
Lore & Secrets
Goregek’s Finest Hour
Dajik Disapproves
Explore Sholazar Basin’s hidden easter eggs, lore mysteries, and connections across Warcraft history in Vikstone’s Sholazar Basin Chronicles, along with the complete quest storyline.
Vikstone's War Journal“Slave thing!” Goregek announced. “Rakjak want me to babysit you while I kill hardknuckles. I feeling generous today, so I let you kill some too, but don’t get in Goregek’s way!”
Then, lower: “Rakjak not know yet, but Goregek has eye on big bad hardknuckle mama.”
So this was his idea, not the tribe’s. He had a poker and a plan and no permission, and he’d found someone shackled to him who couldn’t refuse either one.
The Softknuckles gathered in the clearing, barely more than cubs. Some looked up at me with curiosity. The first jab of the poker changed that. A piercing squeal split the air as the young gorilla bolted, its cry echoing through the canopy.
Goregek rubbed his hands together. “She sure to come yelling!”
Somewhere east of us something heavy started moving through the canopy toward the sound. The Hardknuckle Matriarch came into the clearing at a dead run.
One swing caught my shoulder, sent me rolling through the undergrowth. I recovered, ducking under the follow-up, and my mace found her flank.
Back at Frenzyheart Hill, Rakjak squealed with laughter when he heard. “Goregek take you to kill big mom of hardknuckles, eh? You lucky! Dumb softknuckles squeal good!”
I had killed a mother in this basin already, for a man who wanted her head on a post. At least Nesingwary had the decency to want the trophy for himself.
Rakjak was still laughing about the softknuckles when the next wolvar came looking for help, and Dajik had a grudge that lived in the trees rather than on the ground, which is how Vikstone became The Wasp Hunter’s Apprentice.
