Breakfast Topic: What Race or Organization should make a return in the Expansion?
by Daniel Whitcomb 
Jul 14th 2009 at 8:00AM
So I've been thinking a lot about lore lately, and one thing that's been nagging for a long time is how fast some really cool and interesting storyline and organizations seem to fade into the background once the patch or zone that focuses on them is over and done.Example prime might be the Ethereals. They were an amazing group. The Consortium was Goblins except with actual charisma, business savvy, common sense, and inventions that worked. The Protectorate was a pretty badass group of elite fighters battling the forces of darkness. Even the Ethereum had a story of tragedy and corruption to make the Scarlet Crusade look like amateurs at the whole fanatic game.
But in Wrath? Okay, we get some Ethereum hanging out with Malygos' posse, but that's it. Poof. Ethereals are all but gone. I would have loved to see them selling their Eco-dome tech to settlers in Northrend's snowy areas or something, or handing us monthly gem bags for Frost Wyrm Ivory.
Same thing with the Arakkoa. Rilak the Redeemed seemed to herald a race ready to break free from the influence of dark gods like Terrok and perhaps play a part in the Army of the Light itself. But they're missing. Even Wrath has its examples. Tuskarr disappear after Dragonblight. The Kvaldir are perhaps the most menacing enemies in all of Wrath, a clan of hulking sea spirits who appear out of a malevolent, all-encompassing mist to plunder and burn, leaving devastation in their wake. Seriously, they're amazing. Garrosh's Landing may be the most menacing looking area in all of Northrend, and doing the quests there felt amazing due to the atmosphere of the fog and the longboats and the seaweed encrusted Kvaldir glaring angrily.
Now admittedly, we are apparently getting more Kvaldir in the new daily quest areas of Patch 3.2, but Vykrul are always awesome enough to deserve more.
So anyway, that brings me to a question: What races and organizations do you feel have suddenly dropped off the face of the earth and gotten the short end of the stick? Which of them would you like to see return in the Maelstrom?
Me, I'm hoping for the Kvaldir revealed to be servants or thralls of Neptulon, and the Ethereals to start a Trade War with the Goblins, perhaps with the Alliance as their favored customers to balance the whole Goblin-Horde dynamic. But anyhow, your turn. There's certainly plenty of old allegiances and old rivalries that it'd be great to see return in a future patch or expansion.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Breakfast Topics, Expansions, Lore, RP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 10)
Axolotl Jul 14th 2009 8:08AM
Naga's
Neyssa Jul 14th 2009 8:23AM
This! And Bloodsail Buccaneers or some other pirates. Would love that.
Taladan Jul 14th 2009 9:11AM
In all honesty, I don't think Naga would appear anytime soon. Naga was in TBC what the scourge is in WotLK.
Djbrill Jul 14th 2009 9:37AM
Naga as the main villians? They were just the loyal non-plotting servents of Illidan.The were less intersting than the blood elves and their magic addicted prince, the broken who wanted to break free, Illidan who was their mad leader, the infinite dragonflight with their mysterious plotting and the burning legion which wanted to invade Azeroth.
Naga are closer in presence to blue dragonflight than to the scourge. And even then the blue dragonflight is still a stand-alone faction with an own agenda rather then a group of servents of one of the main antagonists.
Shawn Jul 14th 2009 11:04AM
@djbrill
The naga under Illidan's control were formerly a small sect that followed Lady Vashj. The majority of naga follow Queen Azshara. So the naga being a major enemy in a possible maelstrom expansion is very likely.
Noratul Jul 14th 2009 12:07PM
I've played Alliance since release. I can't muster the resolve to stick with a Horde character beyond level 30 or so.
I would leave all that behind for the opportunity to play a naga mage or warlock.
There are just so many neat things that can be done with them. A naga city would be gorgeous, a combination of haughty ancient elven architectural and organic sea-life. The race has more history and back story than half the current player races. And they just look so neat and bizarre.
If the next expansion is Maelstrom centered, as popular speculation holds, then it's very likely Azshara and the naga will be major villains, and that increases the likelihood that we'll see a splinter group of naga realize just how insane their queen is and throw their lot behind a more viable faction, the Horde or Alliance.
Zalvi Jul 14th 2009 12:18PM
if nagas make it to be a playable class it will start a trend of "OMG that Naga stole my loot"
Alithoe Jul 14th 2009 12:42PM
Of course, if naga became a playable race they'd have to be compensated for not being able to wear shoes. Or... just look really weird with an ankle wrap around their tail.
Alanid Jul 14th 2009 3:11PM
it's unlikely we'll see naga, simply because they were night elves warped by the old gods. The old gods are the ones who are really in charge, and it's probable that the old gods speak to them all and keep them crazy, much like Neltharion (Deathwing). But then again, i would still love to see them as a playable race, but lore wise it would be difficult.
RoBotkin Jul 14th 2009 3:56PM
According to lore, aren't the elves just some sort of evolved troll though?
McRaider Jul 14th 2009 7:30PM
IF the next x-pack is Maelstrom, then I personally don't think that Nagas are going to show up (or at least not much) in WotLK. They have dragged back to the depths and preparing their final assault there at the moment, so the don't want to raise too much attention on them before... it is time...
Mort Jul 14th 2009 8:47PM
@Alithoe
Tauren have that already. We don't have boots, but anklewraps. It tends to look really silly at times.
Acidburn Jul 14th 2009 8:10AM
I though about that for a long time. Consortium was one of the coolest things in the whole TBC. I would really love to see them back in next expantion, altogether with a whole new Raid zone perhaps.
vorpalbunnie Jul 16th 2009 11:52AM
I second this Consortium vote. I love the Ethereals. They have a very distinct vibe.
Do they have genders? Just wondering. Can't remember if I've seen a female Ethereal.
Andy Jul 15th 2009 7:45AM
I think it'd be cool if Ethereals were the next playable race and could be either Horde or Alliance just for a change of pace.
But it won't happen, and I can continue dreaming.
Becky Greenway Jul 14th 2009 9:38AM
wait there is another expansion coming out? crap im not even 80 yet
Tukaz Jul 14th 2009 8:12AM
Rexxar and Mok'Nathal clan! Would be fun to see them appear again with a bigger role, especially considering what a huge role Rexxar had in WC3.
I love the idea of the Arrakoa as well, although though Dark Crystal weirdos gave me the creeps... and their giant pet birds killed me while doing dailys more than any other mob in the game.
edward Jul 14th 2009 9:46AM
I like this idea, Rexxar is unforgettable for me from the bonus levels in Warcraft 3. Plus my rep with Mok'Nathal is pretty low, questing for them would make that rep grind a piece of cake ^_^ ... but what would rexxar be doing at the mealstorm, hmmm.
widowmakrtwo Jul 14th 2009 10:57AM
LOL...mealstorm. Like a hungry man. Salisbury steak with mash potatoes wtf owns you for 500k.
dianarobi Jul 14th 2009 11:10AM
Rexxar for sure! I loved it when they brought him out of Desolace in TBC. If he's such a hero he should be in the thick of things in Northrend.