The living, breathing world of Azeroth - shrouded by the Dark Portal
by Dan Crislip 
May 4th 2007 at 9:00AM
I turned around suddenly to the clang of the gates behind me, viewing the span of a burning city before me. Undead horrors and abominations stared blankly and stumbled in sporadic groups. The city of Stratholme lay in ruins, overrun by the legions of the Lich King. I was alone; a still green adventurer that only two days prior was wandering the halls of the Scarlet Monastery. "I thought that the Scarlet Crusade was stationed here somewhere," I thought to myself. Knowing I could make no difference to the fate of this doomed city, I dug through my pack for my hearthstone, and touched it. The city view blurred and vanished before me.
My first adventure into Stratholme was far less poetic than the excerpt of my fan-fic above. Instead, it was filled with far more obscenities and questions as to why I can't get out, and statements of how no group could ever possibly take on 10 mobs, be them elite or not. They should have stuck a warning sign out front! I think back on that day, a year and a half ago, where I realized that the game did not end at 60. In fact, it had barely begun for me. And I've recently realized that the same can be said for 70.
So many people play this game, and many of them skip by much of the content that exists. There is a mentality to get to level 60 to go to Outlands or to reach 70 so you can raid and get the best gear, but many forget that this world is alive and has much more going on than the handful of high level instances and raid dungeons. Riding through Darkshore, did anyone stop and gasp in awe at the Master's Glaive? What monstrous beast is that, which only a blade of a titan could bring it down? In Orgrimmar, there is a tree with the skull and armor remains of the titan Mannoroth. I never even noticed it until it was pointed out to me by another reference. Amazing! There is so much history here and yet so much left to be discovered.
The life of the world is wonderfully detailed as well. Who felt a surge of emotion stumbling upon a lost little girl seeking her dolly, only to find out that she is a ghost? Or perhaps finding the truth behind the madness of the Scarlet Crusade in Stratholme? The gates of Uldum in Tanaris hold information that make us think that Azeroth was even constructed by ancient beings of technological power. These things blew my mind!
The next time you are storming through heroic instances with your guild, think of how you got there. Think back to the families in Darnassus you healed by gathering spider venom. Think of the Orc whose honor you restored by finding his family's medallion in a nearby cave. Think of the conspiracies you uncovered along the way and the span of their intent and grasp over the minds of the people of Azeroth, long since forgotten, deep within the distant Dark Portal. Mostly, think of the creative minds behind the World of Warcraft, and stand in awe at their vision and story that you are now a part in.
Do you have amazing stories to share? Please comment!
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Tips, Instances, Quests, Lore
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Heymish May 4th 2007 11:50AM
While I appreciate the vast history and lore of Azeroth and Outlands, I think I'd be more nostolgic if I didn't have to cure the same family or restore the honor of an orc with every alt I roll. I agree Azeroth is living and breathing the first time through, and I have discovered a couple of new things during my alt's adventures, but the world never changes. How many groups have to go throught Strat before it's finally cleaned up? How many times does Mankirk need to be told where his wife is? How long will it take Van Cleef to break through the cave wall? See my point? I think if Blizz wants people to notice the world they created instead of just rushing to 60 and 70, then the world needs to change every once in a while. A simple thank you note in the mail from the saved family, and then being able to visit and see them alive and well would make me more likely to visit these places you talk about. Just my humble opinion.
David May 4th 2007 11:59AM
It's so true! the details of the worlds of Azeroth and Outland make them feel like a real place to spend time in. With so many games it's just the same pattern of wall and floor repeated over and over again, and it feels like just a game, but when you see these details in Warcraft, then you realize that it's not just a game, it's a work of art. It's decorated like a real fantasy world.
Myth May 4th 2007 12:06PM
/clap
Very nicely written!
In a month pre-bc I burned though 60 and began the gear grind. I never really looked around; however somewhere between 64 and 70 the lore bug bit me. Since then I find the lore is amazing but be warned its not shallow reading. I can loose myself for hours on end staring at stories and lore at various sites including wowwiki. I applaud Blizzard for how they have taken their simple game Warcraft and built upon it to make Warcraft: II, its sequel and new games upon what was a simple story. Their story is rich amazing and the work of many very skilled writers. Most don’t stop to look at lore, however when they do, they find themselves immersed. For those who haven’t had a chance to stop and look at the lore, I also encourage you to do so. You won’t find yourself to bored or disappointed.
hisk May 4th 2007 1:49PM
i know the feeling of rerolling and doing the same quest but i have to say that blizz did one heck of a job with this game may sound retorent but i actully this game is my exscap from reality by that i mean if i got mad at a som1 one in school i can blow off steam by slughtering poeple in wsg or just getting bored and kiting the world dragon in tanaris to gazatren. on this senseless ramble i will say this some new lowbie content would be nice and yes i like the two new races starting area but id love new "class" quests to give a the newbies a little bit better idea how to gear(because i dont know about u but i had no idea waht gear i should be using at lowrer lvl i thought armor was the most important thing now its stanima and agility/ i play a hunter)and some class specific gear would have givin a right push in the right direction.
Nyx May 4th 2007 2:02PM
This is something I've commented on repeatedly since BC came out; I find that Azeroth, as a whole, is much more... finished, polished, than Outland. Not on the HUGE DETAILS - Nagrand's sky is breathtaking, Netherstorm as a zone fits very well together and the domes are interesting... but the little things. The quest details. The environment fine detail. One zone that does this exceptionally well is Duskwood; every tiny detail in the zone says "CREEPY" and they all build up to leave a lingering sense of unease about every quest there.
There are no such tiny details about Outland. Beautiful broad brushstrokes, but no little things hiding in the corners for a second viewing. The same goes for the two new starting areas, as well.
I still find new quest lines and plot points with my alts, and I've been playing since open beta of the original version. Now I take the time to read the quest text and sniff the flowers. Blizzard did such a great job the first time around - hopefully, as time goes on, their second effort will take on more life too.
Sparc May 4th 2007 2:04PM
I freed a death knight in Shadowmoon Valley... Oops. My bad. Sorry, guys.
Mike May 4th 2007 2:48PM
Where is that excerpt from? I'd like to read more.
Azhural May 4th 2007 3:00PM
Yesterday I took a day off from questing and running instances and instead took my hunter to the shrine of the fallen warrior and the damm in Loch Modan. I liked it a lot, spending a whoel hour running around killing respawns o the bridge and just gazing down to the river. As soon as I hit higher levels I will go on and search other beautiful places to visit and just relax...maybe spend a whole day discovering the floating islands in Nagrand or take a mountain hike somewhere around Azeroth, sunset in Westfall and Dun Morogh are a couple things I miss since I rerolled Horde.
Heymish May 4th 2007 3:18PM
@5
There a a number of nuances in Outland. Just need a flying mount to see a lot of them. Have you seen the orphanage in Nagrand? It's very interesting.
Heymish May 4th 2007 3:18PM
@5
There a a number of nuances in Outland. Just need a flying mount to see a lot of them. Have you seen the orphanage in Nagrand? It's very interesting.
Dan Crislip May 4th 2007 3:26PM
Thank you all for the great comments on my very first post here at WoW Insider. I really appreciate it!
The fan-fic exerpt was something I was working on about a year ago (just before I got into hardcore raiding). Now that I'm paid for content here, I may as well keep it going! Maybe get a little serial going here or something. :)
Joe May 4th 2007 3:27PM
Another thing to consider: A decent amount of lore is actually available in books in the game that you can open and read. How neat is that?
Gazoo May 5th 2007 4:04AM
It may not be Lore related, specifically, but I like to visit the memorial for the Dev who passed away during the time the game was in Alpha. in South Shore fairly regularly. It is quiet and peaceful there and seeing it reminds me that the World of Warcraft is an experience created by people with talent, vision and the skill to bring it altogether.
I always offer up a /salute and then /kneel and take a moment to reflect, and hope that WoW is everything this individual hoped it would be.
Rest in Peace Ray.