On December 8th 2009, Cult of Reason entered Icecrown Citadel's Lower Spire for the first time.  Despite the usual patch day issues, we were only too eager to finally begin our quest to kill Arthas.  Upon our arrival, we saw something that we had almost forgotten existed - TRASH! After our initial astonishment at the waves of mobs that stood before us, we proceeded down the hallway where we encountered Lord Marrowgar for the first time. Most of us agreed that he was the funkiest looking boss we'd seen since Reliquary of Souls in Black Temple, and after staring at him (and his 4 skulls) for a minute, we engaged him.  Lord Marrowgar turned out to be somewhat of a pushover, and we were able to defeat him quite quickly. He was kind enough to drop a Frozen Bonespike for Maggiemay which she greatly appreciated, despite the pestering she received from Guiche who insisted that it was a "druid weapon."  He also dropped a Gendarme's Cuirass, and a Crushing Coldwraith Belt, which went to Zerc, and Spoonerst respectively.  We were able to get in a few attempts on Lady Deathwhisper before calling it a night, and all considered our first night in ICC a success.

On only the second attempt, Cult of Reason has downed General Vezax.  The twelfth and penultimate boss of Ulduar 25, the General Vezax fight is unique.  Mana regenerations simply does not work during the fight.

Shamans, paladins, and hunters found that the only mana regeneration talents that had any effect were Shamanistic Rage, Judgements of the Wise and Aspect of the Viper--but no other talent, potion, or ability allowed for mana regeneration.  As resto druid Hurrndan put it "My Innervate does... nothing?"  Sorry Hurrn, nothing.

Periodically, General Vezax released a gas cloud into the raid.  Healers and other mana users were delighted to find that the limited number of clouds that appeared could be attacked to release a puddle of mana, providing the only mana source during the fight.  Rogues, standing immediately behind the General, were less fond of these periodic gas emmisions.

Healing lead Aireous made the crucial discovery that the mana puddles lasted long enough for each healer to get two charges of mana from them--provided the healer jumped in and out immediately, and in again right before it despawned.

In addition to melee attacks that registerd as high as 20k on plate, the General periodically cast Shadow Crush and Searing Flames.  Shadow Crush is a 6k shadow damage missile that erupted into a 20 second area of effect debuff on landing.  The shadow crush debuff increased magical damage dealt by 100%, casting speed by 100%, reducing healing done by 75%, and reducing mana costs by 75%. 

More devastating, the Searing Flames effect dealt 16k fire damage and applied a 10 second debuff that reduced armor by 75% to everyone within 100 yards of the general.  Even one Searing Flames effect could cripple a tank and wipe the raid.  To keep the Searing Flames effect in check, combat rogue Xenoseer organized a cadre of rogues and death knights with rotating interupts.

A nail biting fight, when it ended the General dropped Lotrafen, Spear of the Damned (looted by death knight Oronra) and what is currently the best in slot feral druid idol: Idol of the Corruptor.  Wrratth, who bear tanked the fight, was able to pick up the idol for a 10 point bid.

When asked how the guild was able to down the General in only two attempts, raid members had different comments.  Raid leader Ergalendon attributed part of the success to effective management of Vezax's vapor clouds, noting that only eight could be spawned during the fight.  Interupting Searing Flames was also a crucial element.  As combat rogue Xenoseer observed, "We just kicked his butt."