Breakfast Topic: What's your story?
by Gregg Reece 
Jun 25th 2010 at 8:00AM
The Warcraft universe itself has a myriad possibilities to borrow, from dinosaurs to steampunk, with the hard honor of the orcs to the nonsensical gadgets of the gnomes. The upcoming Cataclysm also brings forth a lot of story possibilities, as does any time of great change. Races are opening their doors to previously shunned concepts such as night elf mages, while others are rediscovering a lost heritage in the Darkspear tribe's druids. The Lich King's grasp on the world has been beaten back and veterans of the war in Northrend will be returning home to try and resume their previous lives as merchants and farmers. Races like the gnomes and dwarves have had their eyes opened to their origins in titan creation, which could rock the very foundation of their ideals and beliefs.
So, I bring the question to you. What's the story you would write? Will you delve into StarCraft and Diablo or stick with WoW?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Blayze Jun 25th 2010 8:10AM
Would? Try have. :D
I've written an obviously Fallout-inspired short story about the fall of Kezan -- more specifically, the fates of those who couldn't afford or otherwise were incapable of fleeing its destruction. Undermine cut itself off from the surface at the first sign of potential disaster, leaving those trapped on the island to fend for themselves.
With all hope of escape lost and the island collapsing and sinking around them, they lock themselves in great underground metal storage facilities known -- since these are Goblins, after all -- as Volts. One of those Goblins is a tinker by the name of Razzle Gearsnap, and the only thing he has left of his life on Kezan is a leather belt brimming with miniature rockets.
Hell, the opening section is a tribute to the Fallout 2 version of the "War. War never changes." speech. That alone should make mine a rather memorable entry.
Blayze Jun 25th 2010 8:14AM
D'oh. Didn't read the end bit quite as well as I thought I did. Either way, though, the answer's still the same -- I'd write about my characters, Razzle being one of them (Planned, of course). I'd need to change some names, though -- I doubt I could get away with a Blood Elf Paladin called Semiroth, even if he does have the Sephiroth hairstyle.
I shoulda made him a Death Knight, but I gave that role to a Gnome called Goober.
Snowy Jun 25th 2010 8:16AM
I think I am going to be writing about one of the Orc orphanages and what happens when Cataclysm begins. Though I am also tossing around a story about a goblin or two... and maybe even a Star Craft Special Op's team. Who knows. So much to choose from!
Cyanea Jun 25th 2010 8:27AM
I like writing vignettes...that is, one-off little short stories, usually no more than a single scene. I think telling a single story, especially conveying characters which is my favorite thing to write and doing it all in a single 3000 word scene is rather entertaining and sometimes challenging as a writer.
My story is based on something that happened to me while questing on my warlock, fleshed out to a full story of course. I've gotta add a little to it to meet the story minimum, and fix up some minor structure errors, but I think it's one of my better ones.
Yeechang Lee Jun 25th 2010 8:31AM
I pity the unfortunate Blizzard employees drafted to judge the contest. In the coming weeks they will read hundreds, nay, thousands of entries that feature:
* a half-[Troll/Orc], half-[Night/Blood] Elf
* the secret love child of Arthas and Jaina
* a character that is a ninja assassin *and* a super-powerful wizard
* crossovers between Azeroth and Pokémon, Starcraft, True Blood, Harry Potter, Twilight, or Star Trek
* the secret love child of Thrall and Jaina
* a romance between a Draenei and a Blood Elf, or a Blood Elf and a Night Elf, or members of any two groups that are historical enemies
* a character that saves the kingdom/the planet/the universe, and is just 15 years old!!!
* the secret love child of Deathwing and Calia Menethil
Mary Sues of the world, start your keyboards!
(A repost of my comment at http://www.wow.com/2010/06/24/blizzard-2010-global-writing-contest-announced/comments/28858821/)
SunGod228 Jun 25th 2010 9:39AM
Question about the secret love child of Arthas and Jaina
Would it be pre or post LK Arthas? I think post would be pretty awesome.
Bill and his colleagues from the prepared to enter the heart of ice crown citadel. As the entered the frosty chambers of the Lich King Bill took in his surroundings. Suddenly Tom yelled, "By the light what the hell are you doing on the frozen throne with Jaina!!!" Billed quickly turned, and he silently wept. He wanted to sit in that chair. Now it just would not be the same.
Aurigo Jun 25th 2010 12:56PM
It is indubitable that someone will submit a story about Abasik Kampfyre somehow taking the reins of Warchief >:D I just hope that one wins.
icepyro Jun 25th 2010 3:20PM
I feel the same. How will anyone ever live up to the standard set by Knaak?!?
What scares me the most is the possibility that Blizzard might agree with my snark (taking it seriously) and this may lead to the next official novel. *cries*
Vodkamartini Jun 25th 2010 3:30PM
I'm starting to wonder if Blizz will accept comedy pieces MOCKING their lore (see Commissar Ciaphas Cain and the satirical send-up of the "macho serious business" WH40K franchise) and breaking the fourth wall.
Example of that:
"I felt the hand of fate guiding me through the icy chamber. Suddenly a monstrous, mutated troll emerged from the ground and killed the mage Pants with one blow, far faster than I could protect him with the shielding word. After Paladin Steelmeheart dispatched the troll-beast, I looked upon Pants' wracked, crumpled body and cried to the heavens. I began to question the light that guided my disciplined life in the priesthood. Steelmeheart reassured me it wasn't a fault of the light, just a pimply-faced geek mousing over the wrong button at that moment, too busy sipping from his cup of soda pop and caught off-guard, and that I should 'stop crying and rez the noob who got in front of me.' I then heard Pants' voice saying 'Rez plz.' "
Skarlette Jun 25th 2010 4:57PM
@SunGod "He wanted to sit in that chair. Now it just would not be the same."
ROFL!!!
I think the Lich King is more (un)dead than alive and thus probably unable to procreate, but you never know...there's always magic. :p (Not that pesky things like logic figure into self-indulgent Mary Sue fanfiction, of course.)
I'm rather amused and intrigued by the "the secret love child of Deathwing and Calia Menethil" option. What a family reunion that would be...
Jaina: "Arthas, why does your nephew breathe fire?"
Arthas: "Er... I'm not really sure. I haven't dared to ask."
Calia: "It's just a phase he's going through. I hope. Daval says that it might--Katrana! Stop picking on your baby brother!"
Onyxia: "I hate you! You're not my real mom, I don't have to do what you say!" *cries*
Shoikler Jun 25th 2010 8:53AM
I've written a few WoW drabbles here and there, but it's been a while since I've written any fiction of the length needed for this. My first instinct, which has been bubbling away for a couple years, is the epic journey of a young, naive orc hunter who ventured deep into the bowels of Alliance territory to tame a spider unlike any other.
Or should I tell of something that isn't just a dramatization of something my toon did back when he was level 19? (Or ever?) There are plenty of ignored NPCs with stories I could tell. Perhaps someone other than a goblin, this time. Or I could do another Murloc Holmes mystery. That could be fun. Hmm, I must think on this.
bruce Jun 25th 2010 8:54AM
My name is Faelore, I claim pride in calling myself one of the Sin'dorei. I led a life of pain and suffering further suffered on my enemies as a powerful warlock. After being rescued and healed by priests of the Light I came to understand that manipulating an giving everything I had to the fel powers and deamons that I could possibly suffer a fate worse than that of Illidan himself.
Now I am a champion of the Light, I follow the path of the Paladin and with my shield and mace I will hunt and strike down any who would try to harm my friends, family and most of all the Light that now shines through me. A great man once said, " as long as you have faith in the Light, all is possible".
Abbadon Jun 25th 2010 9:14AM
I considered writing a story about a main toon that QQs because his account-in-law toon (alt) has a bank full of extra green proto drakes, croc pet buckets and ice chip pets that are all duplicates that he gets over and over while the poor main toon goes without. The main toon proceeds to write Blizzard a letter detailing his frustration with suggestions to make the situation less stressful.
macster Jun 25th 2010 9:25AM
Macster: Raid-Chef for hire! A series of adventures set in the thrilling world of food buffs, fish feasts and cooking dailies! Coming soon to a bookshop near you!
Jormund Fenris Jun 25th 2010 9:34AM
I hope a story about Selfloathius gets sent in, In the middle of all the examples that Yeechang Lee exellently put forward some Blizzard employee suddenly laughs, making his fellow workers twist their heads to him, and he shows them a story about a warlock commiting suicide by Bieber.
syth_leps Jun 25th 2010 9:50AM
A taster of what Last times Runner up has in store for you this time around.
"With a crash a stream of dark blue lightning snaked its way across the pitch black sky, rainclouds pouring their soaking payload upon the raging waters of Lordamere lake. The huge waves smashed against the clifs, rocking the small rowing boat from where it was moored, the violence of the movement almost causing the thick rope to snap and the boat to get smashed against the rocks."
Going for gold this year!
Special K Jun 25th 2010 10:00AM
I'm not writing one, as I'm only a novice writer.
I have so many ideas though :(
Lani Jun 25th 2010 10:42AM
You shouldn't let being "only a novice" stop you. Last year's winner was a novice writer as well! :)
Nagaina Jun 25th 2010 10:04AM
The story kicking around in the back of my head right now concerns a character who has been extensively involved in the backstory of my RP main, a human paladin -- one of the last "class" of novices to be elevated to the rank of paladin in the old Order of the Silver Hand before the fall of Lordaeron -- who has been in arms with the Argent Dawn practically since its inception and who has spent the last ten years of his life fighting both the Scourge and his own gnawing survivor's guilt, having lived when many, many others he thought more worthy did not. Where do you go and what do you do when the conflict that has defined your entire life...actually ends?
Noah Jun 25th 2010 10:11AM
I'm wriing a story about algalon and the reply code. I'm making my characters the five raiders who attempt to gather the four watchers sigils, unlock the celestial planetarium, and defeat algalon, saving the world.
I also had another idea for several short stories (1,000 - 2,500 words each) about pre-cataclysmic events involving an Orc warrior, a tauren Druid and a blood elf Mage.
P.S. I'm still pondering the algalon story, would anyone mind reviewing, what do you think about it?