by Michael Sacco

Alexstrasza the Life-Binder has retired from her stint at battling would-be dragonslayers, but we have no intention of letting travelers to the Darkmoon Faire take a breather. No, this year we've recruited the most feared femme fatale in the Eastern Kingdoms to protect our booty. That's right – the Defias Kingpin herself, the Dame of the Deadmines, Vanessa VanCleef herself is here at Darkmoon Faire this weekend! She's portrayed by the inimitable Christina Sims, our Brand Ambassador at Cryptozoic Entertainment. In usual Christina fashion, she's made her Vanessa costume by hand to guarantee an absolutely authentic recreation of, uh, playing cards against a pirate queen.

We don't want to reveal too much about about Vanessa's deck so that adventurers don't know what to expect from her, but let's just say that facing her will be a real nightmare. No encounter with her will end – or begin – the same way. Those with a strong enough mind to resist her wiles and defeat her in combat will receive a special keepsake and the title of “VanCleef Vindicator” to commemorate their verified Vanessa VanCleef victory.

Visitors to any Darkmoon Faire this year will have the opportunity to battle Vanessa, but this weekend's Darkmoon Faire Los Angeles is her very first appearance, so if you're at DMF LA already or in the area, you won't want to miss your chance to topple her criminal empire and earn some bragging rights.

And heck, while you're here, why don't you try out some of the other events we have going on this weekend, like Beginner Tournaments with Class Starter Decks provided, Spectral Safaris with the elusive Spectral Tiger up for grabs, the Loot-stuffed Lootapalooza event, and of course, the sneak preview of our upcoming Hyjal-themed set, Crown of the Heavens?