Confirmed, AFK at the quest-giver for 9min and you'll get credit when your tour guide finishes the circle.
Quest
The Caverns of Time
A World of Warcraft quest in Old Hillsbrad Foothills. Facts and objectives from the current retail game data.
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Here's a transcript of what the Custodian of Time whispers to you as you take your tour:
Greetings, <name>. I will guide you through the cavern. Please try and keep up.
We do not know if the Caverns of Time have always been accessible to mortals. Truly, it is impossible to tell as the Timeless One is in perpetual motion, changing our timeways as he sees fit. What you see now may very well not exist tomorrow. You may wake up and have no memory of this place.
It is strange, I know... Most mortals cannot actually comprehend what they see here, as often, what they see is not anchored within their own perception of reality.
Follow me, please. <The Custodian leads you to the entrance of the Old Hillsbrad timeway.>
There are only two truths to be found here: First, that time is chaotic, always in flux, and completely malleable and second, perception does not dictate reality.
As custodians of time, we watch over and care for Nozdormu's realm. The master is away at the moment, which means that attempts are being made to dramatically alter time. The master never meddles in the affairs of mortals but instead corrects the alterations made to time by others. He is reactionary in this regard.
For normal maintenance of time, the Keepers of Time are sufficient caretakers. We are able to deal with most ordinary disturbances. I speak of little things, such as rogue mages changing something in the past to elevate their status or wealth in the present.
These tunnels that you see are called timeways. They are infinite in number. The ones that currently exist in your reality are what the master has deemed as 'trouble spots.' These trouble spots may differ completely in theme but they always share a cause. That is, their existence is a result of the same temporal disturbance. Remember that should you venture inside one...
This timeway is in great disarray! We have agents inside right now attempting to restore order. What information I have indicates that Thrall's freedom is in jeopardy. A malevolent organization known as the Infinite Dragonflight is trying to prevent his escape. I fear without outside assistance, all will be lost.
Follow me, please. <The Custodian leads you to the entrance of the Black Morass timeway.>
We have very little information on this timeway. Sa'at has been dispatched and is currently inside. The data we have gathered from his correspondence is that the Infinite Dragonflight are once again attempting to alter time. Could it be that the opening of the Dark Portal is being targeted for sabotage? Let us hope not...
Follow me, please. <The Custodian leads you to the closed timeway with the wrecked ships in front of it.>
This timeway is currently collapsing. What that may hold for the past, present and future is currently unknown...
The timeways are currently ranked in order from least catastrophic to most catastrophic. Note that they are all classified as catastrophic, meaning that any single one of these timeways collapsing would mean that your world would end. We only classify them in such a way so that the heroes and adventurers that are sent here know which timeway best suits their abilities.
Follow me, please. <The Custodian leads you to the entrance of the Mount Hyjal timeway.>
All we know of this timeway is that it leads to Mount Hyjal. The Infinite Dragonflight have gone to great lengths to prevent our involvement. We know next to nothing, mortal. Soridormi is currently attempting to break through the timeway's defenses but has thus far been unsuccessful. You might be our only hope of breaking through and resolving the conflict.
Follow me, please. <The Custodian leads you back to Andormu.>
Our time is at an end <name>. I would wish you luck, if such a thing existed.
The Caverns Of Time is protected by the Bronze Dragonflight which cannot let mortals interrupt the timeline so thats why the doors were closed, but a new race of dragon flight named the Infinite Dragonflight has been interrupting the time flow in the caverns. The Bronze Dragonflight is recruiting adventurers to make sure all past events occur the way they should.
As of what I have heard, the instances will be as followed:
Old Hillsbrad - help Thrall escape from Durnholde keep.
Black Morass - protect Medivh as he opens the Dark Portal.
Old Hyjal - Fight Archimonde atop Mount Hyjal.
Quest facts
The client quest POI data records no map location for this quest, so no map is shown.
Check whether you have already completed this quest
in-game: /run print(C_QuestLog.IsQuestFlaggedCompleted(10277))
Description
Greetings, {name}. Please follow the custodian. She will make things a bit more... clear.
Community notes from Wowhead · 70 comments
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Reward details
Reputation: Keepers of Time +250
The Keepers of Time are bronze dragons hand-picked by Nozdormu to watch over the Caverns of Time.
Reputation group: The Burning Crusade.
Other quests in Old Hillsbrad Foothills that reward Keepers of Time reputation: To The Master's Lair (+10), Old Hillsbrad (+10), WANTED: The Epoch Hunter's Head (+350), Taretha's Diversion (+1,000), Escape from Durnholde (+1,000).
Item facts are the current retail client’s (ItemSparse); the specialisations for a pick-one item are the ones the Blizzard quest API lists; faction and currency text is the client’s own. Lowest listed price = the US commodity auction house now.