This is part of the Scepter of the Shifting Sands quest line, specifically the Blue Shard.

The conversation with Azuregos is very entertaining and highly recommended.

http://www.wowwiki.com/Scepter_of_the_Shifting_Sands http://www.wowwiki.com/Scepter_of_the_Shifting_Sands

I think the gossip text from this quest makes Azuregos one of my new favorite NPCs.

The gossip text is indeed very awesome!

---------------Spoilers----------------

Spirit of Azuregos: You seek the scepter shard charged to the protection of the Blue Flight?

<Azuregos appears to be smiling.>

You: How did you know? I mean, yes... Yes I am looking for that shard. Do you have it?

Spirit of Azuregos: Of course I do not have the shard. That would be asinine. I walk amongst savages in this cursed land! I cannot take five steps without some crazed orc or human trying to thrust a sharp stick into my hide. At any given time you could very well be speaking to my ghostly spirit.

Anyhow... I hid it.

Go on... ask me where.

You: Alright. Where?

Spirit of Azuregos: You are going to love this story, <race>. See, here is the thing. As soon as Malygos charged me with protecting the scepter shard, I knew I was in for an eternity of headache and pain.

All I wanted to do is study these magic rich shorelines and take in what artifacts might remain from the Sundering. You know, there was once a thriving Highborne civilization here! You don't have to tell me that there is going to be some solid magical items around here, <race>. I can smell it!

You: By Bronzbeard's... um, beard! What are you talking about?

Spirit of Azuregos: As I was saying, I held onto the scepter shard for a good five-hundred years and it was nothing but trouble. It attracted all kinds of attention - the wrong kind of attention. I want to be left alone to my studies not babysit some would be hero's ticket to glory. So... I gave it to the fish.

You: Fish? You gave a piece of what could be the key to saving all life on Kalimdor to a fish?

Spirit of Azuregos: Not just any fish, mortal. This fish was a minnow. A very special minnow.

You: A minnow? The oceans are filled with minnows! There could be a hundred million minnows out there!

Spirit of Azuregos: Exactly!

You: ...

Spirit of Azuregos: Genius, I know... It will never be found; but, in case it is found, I gave the minnow some special powers.

You: You put the piece in a minnow and placed the minnow somewhere in the waters of the sea betwen here and the Eastern Kingdoms? And this minnow has special powers?

Spirit of Azuregos: Correct. You've been listening! This minnow is really quite a terrible creature of my own creation. When I am relaxing I like to think of the unlucky fishermen who have run into this minnow and been devoured whole. I bet they were quite surprised!

<Azuregos laughs.>

You: You're insane.

Spirit of Azuregos: Genius is often misunderstood, <race>. Now, about the scepter shard... If you want that shard and do not wish to spend the next ten thousand years searching for it, you are going to have to listen very carefully.

You: I'm all ears.

Spirit of Azuregos: Two words: Arcanite buoy.

You: Come again.

Spirit of Azuregos: Right then... You have to build an arcanite buoy and place it in the ocean. My minnow will be attracted to the magical emanations. When he gets near the buoy - BLAMO! It will explode in a glorious pulse of arcane energy, revealing the minnow's true form. Also, you may or may not incur the wrath of Neptulon. A 50/50 chance I would say.

You: Ok, let me get this straight. You put the scepter shard entrusted to your Flight by Anachronos on a minnow of your own making and now you expect me to build an... an arcanite buoy or something... to force your minnow out of hiding? AND potentially incur the wrath of an Elemental Lord? Did I miss anything? Perhaps I am to do this without any clothes on, during a solar eclipse, on a leap year?

Spirit of Azuregos: If I did not know better I would think that you were mocking me, mortal; but yes, that is mostly correct. You may remain fully clothed.

You: FINE! And how, dare I ask, am I supposed to acquire an arcanite buoy?

Spirit of Azuregos: Take this ledger to an old acquaintance of mine in Tanaris. His name is Narian Soothfancy - terrible, terrible, psychic, but an amazing engineer! He should be able to make sense of it all.

No need to thank me, <Name>. It's the least I could do.

Good day!

You: But...

He then walks away and says: I SAID GOOD DAY!

If you engage him to talk again: Shouldn't you be saving the world?

Narain Soothfancy is the gnome just north of Steamwheedle port.