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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsWhat I hope is answered in Ask Creative Development round II
by Mathew McCurley 
Jan 27th 2011 at 7:00PM
My hopes are high for this next round of questions, as Cataclysm introduced countless new lore figures, quests, and story deviations into the already enormous world. I've come up with a list of four points of lore that I would like the creative development team to address, to shed some light on these very prominent figures.
Sylvanas
Every time lore question and answers come up, everyone throws their hands in the air at the same moment and screams, "What about Sylvanas?!" Well, I am no different. Sylvanas is a compelling character to both sides of the Warcraft equation. For the Alliance, she represents everything as evil as the Lich King with the added bonus that her people/minions are the literal remains of the fallen kingdom of Lordaeron. She represents to many the greatest evil on Azeroth next to Deathwing, and the continuation of her story gives the Alliance more and more reason to hate the Horde she associates with.
For the Horde, the continuation of Sylvanas' story is vital to the strength of the Horde in the Eastern Kingdoms as well as the understanding of where she stands. Admittedly, Sylvanas' methods throughout the expansion have seemed very peculiar, even for her. The inclusion of the Val'kyr, former servants of the Lich King, into her armies perplexes many on the Horde side of things, including Warchief Garrosh Hellscream. To be honest, I've been told by Blizzard for six years of World of Warcraft that the Horde is not an evil faction, but that we all live in various shades of gray, and that it's all relative. Blizzard even went so far as to craft entire zones around the premise of us all existing within many shades of gray.
So my question about Sylvanas is: What are her motivations? Will we find out what is truly haunting Sylvanas? If she is so evil, then have we, as a faction, stepped out of the gray area and Blizzard is asking us to defend her actions? Or, as I suspect, is Sylvanas suffering from some outside force that is doing to her what was done to many before her -- clouding her mind to what is really at stake and pulling her into her own form of madness? At what point will all of Sylvanas' oddness be clarified?
Thrall and The Earthen Ring have become major players in Cataclysm, with the fighting in Vashj'ir and the plight of the World Pillar in Deepholm. These great shaman have taken it upon themselves to fix the elemental wrongs of Azeroth and beyond, and so far, they have been very successful in doing so. While Thrall maintains the Maelstrom rift, keeping it just enough open and just enough closed to stop the planet from tearing itself apart, the other shaman of the Earthen Ring fight Deathwing's elemental servants all over Azeroth.
The issue comes from the fact that one of the Earthen Ring's biggest challenges, fixing the World Pillar in Deepholm, has come to pass. The success in Deepholm leaves many Earthen Ring with a mission already accomplished; they can now turn their attentions to more pressing matters outside of the plane of earth.
So my question about the Earthen Ring is: What is next for the Earthen Ring? Will we see the effects of the success in Deepholm in the next tier of content? Will the Earthen Ring be instrumental in the fight against Ragnaros, or will they be relegated to the fight in Vashj'ir and the new, unannounced creature that lurks in the waters coming in the next patch? And what of Thrall? Will he be relieved of his Maelstrom guarding duties at some point during Cataclysm, at least until his new book comes out?
Rustberg Village and Tol Barad Peninsula
Something strange is going on with Tol Barad Peninsula -- like, really strange. I have praised the Tol Barad design before, giving it style points for creating such a wonderfully tense atmosphere and perfect ominous mood. Rustberg Village is a common destination for many daily quest seekers who brave Tol Barad Peninsula for some sweet Tol Barad commendations. You've all probably met the suspicious residents of this haunting fishing village.
The villagers of Rustberg are suspicious. It says so in their name. The problem is that we don't know what they are suspicious of. Or is the suspicious moniker one of characterization? Is the villager himself a suspicious person, or is the villager himself suspicious of something?
So my question about Tol Barad Peninsula is: Who are the villagers of Rustberg Village? What are they suspicious of, or why are they suspicious? Why are they both Horde and Alliance races, working together, on this remote island that only recently became bathed in conflict? Who are these people, what are they doing there, where did they come from, and why do I kill 14 of them on occasion?
So far, the story of the Explorer's League in WoW has been a fascinating one. Brann Bronzebeard has been an instrumental figure in many locales all over Azeroth, especially if the Titans are involved. Recently, Blizzard added some much-needed depth to the blood elves by giving them an interesting role to play within the Horde -- a contingent of blood elves known as The Reliquary are the Horde's answer to the Explorer's League. Instead of having pure motives of finding and unlocking the hidden treasures of history, these elves are hinted to be looking for ancient powers and the means to use them. While not power-hungry and addicted as they once were, these blood elves take their arrogance and apply it to archaeology.
So far, we have witnessed some awesome back and forth by these two factions. As the Explorer's League strives to uncover the tales of history, the Reliquary is right there to throw them off the trail and find answers first. We watch them tussle in the Badlands and duke it out in Tanaris, and we see some major players in Uldum. Sadly, this great conflict is not played out as well as I would have hoped in Uldum, but the main characters do make appearances.
So my question about the Reliquary and the Explorer's League is: Will we be seeing more of this awesome new addition to the blood elves, and will their story, along with the Explorer's League, play into the further exploits of this expansion? The theme this go-around has been steadily more and more about uncovering the darker sides of our selves and our factions, from the Dark Irons moving back in to take their place in the dwarven halls, to the worgen unleashing their inhumanities to beat back the Forsaken. From the orcs accepting back the greatest dragon hunters to ever live, the Dragonmaw, into the fold, to Sylvanas diving deeper into her own little madness, we are watching as each faction finds out a little bit more about itself and its ruthless tendencies. This seems absolutely ripe for conflict, ancient evils, and powers beyond our wildest dreams. Having the Explorer's League and The Reliquary, especially with some Belloc versus Brann/Harrison Jones action, would be pretty spectacular.
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm has destroyed Azeroth as we know it; nothing is the same! In WoW Insider's Guide to Cataclysm, you can find out everything you need to know about WoW's third expansion, from leveling up a new goblin or worgen to breaking news and strategies on endgame play.Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Lore
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 5)
North Jan 27th 2011 7:12PM
I have a feeling that Sylvanas may be trying to raise an empire to fight against a future threat such as the return of the Legion.
She may have received a vision or seen something that made her realize that the only way to beat Sargeras is to raise a ruthless army under one rule. This could also be a segway into the next expansion.
razion Jan 27th 2011 7:27PM
We thought the same about the Lich King--who certainly has more than enough personal motif to want them gone (if not for revenge, then certainly to eliminate an obstacle in his quest for World Domination). In the end though, we got the whole Bolvar-dealio instead of a big "I'm actually saving the world by making you all into a Super Azeroth Army to fight off the real threat" type of deal.
Those who wanted to see Arthas redeemed in the end were really hoping for an ending very similar to that. And at this point, hoping the same in Sylvanas is... well, uh, don't hold your breath.
North Jan 27th 2011 7:37PM
You may be right that we may see another LK. But even if she is preparing for the Legion doesn't really redeem her. In fact, I expect her to still appear evil or in a shade of gray if this is the case.
Is it really worth it to toss out your sanity and humanity to fight the Legion? Its kinda similar to the ending of Fable 3 for those familiar with that game.
Szass Jan 28th 2011 2:35AM
Defining something you do not fully understand as evil is not the only way things could go here.
Lets play, What if....??
What if Sylvanus is working under the directive of Norgannon and the rest of the Titans !
The Undead would be immune to the Curse of Flesh. Maybe the Undead are the anointed golden children of the Titans.Created by the Titans will to combat the Old Gods. Ready to usher in a new grand age of enlightenment and purity.The Undead could be the new Earthen , the guardians of Azeroth, the greatest heroes of all time. (I admit this is extremely unlikely.)
Would you still then think Sylvanus is evil? Her actions evil?
Maybe Sylvanus' actions now are a needed evil? The point is you don't know. I don't know.
No one knows exactly what the future will bring.
Trying to define good or evil without knowing the whole story is kind of ignorant.
Zankoku Jan 27th 2011 7:17PM
Very nicely written,
Sylvanas is the subject of alot of TFH speculation. Personally, I think that the "revival" by the Valkyr either warped her or implanted *dun dun DUN DUN dun dun* "something" in her.
Earthen Ring does seem, for the most part, wrapped up. Which is a little sad, as I hoped to see progression throughout the expac of all the factions.
And you do have a point about the Explorer's League and Reliquary. Plenty of storylines can be spun from their competition.
Hal Jan 27th 2011 7:19PM
Does anybody know where I can find the full list of questions and answers from last time? I followed the links back to the original article from June but it just points to an inaccessible thread on the now dead old-style WoW forums. :(
North Jan 27th 2011 7:23PM
I second this. I read them when they first came out and would like a refresher.
Lachdanan Jan 27th 2011 9:31PM
Found it! :)
http://www.worldofraids.com/topic/17173-ask-cdev-1-answers-round-1/
Xantenise Jan 27th 2011 7:25PM
I'd just like to ask one thing. "Why do good characters keep turning insane for no reason?"
Don't bet on it that Sylvanas will get a good reason. Kael'thas didn't have a good reason as to why he was on the side of the enemy that almost wiped out his species (for those who didn't play WC3, the Burning Legion was actually responsible for the plague), and he was a good guy at the end of Frozen Throne as well. He went from "I want what's best for my people", just like Arthas, but unlike Arthas did not have any reason whatsoever for suddenly being on the side of the people who WANT TO WIPE HIS PLANET OUT. Illidan was also a good guy at the end of FT who did questionable things but he was never outright malicious and *evil*.
And while Arthas and Deathwing both had actual good reasons for becoming evil, the "good guy turning evil" thing is becoming a very, very tired cliché in the WoW universe. Don't bet on it that Sylvanas has a reason. Illidan and Kael'thas didn't. Why should she? (But even on first glance, Arthas didn't have a good reason - if you don't know Frostmourne corrupted him, then it looks like he did a random 180.)
I have my own theories for Sylvanas's 180, but I really expect to be let down and told there's no reason for this absolute destruction of another Frozen Throne hero. Again.
Xantenise Jan 27th 2011 7:28PM
OK, just realised, Illidan was probably evil back in the War of the Ancients but that was *before* he got chucked in jail by himself for ten thousand years. As I recall, he did some heroic things in WC3 but people who held his past against him refused to acknowledge his deeds.
razion Jan 27th 2011 7:38PM
Yeah, because absorbing all of that pure demonic energy would definitely NOT unscrew SOMETHING in the head of a certain unstable heartbroken, scourge-confronting, young blood elf prince. Yeah, I'm not buying it. Kael'thas absorbed so much pure demonic Fel power I'm surprised Sargeras and Kil'Jaeden aren't using his soul to try and head-way his next trip to Azeroth by now.
And while Illidan has puff-puffed just as much magic as Kael'thas (if not more, see: Skull of Gul'dan) he not only showed a lot more restraint than Kael'thas (not succumbing to the Legion, for one) his goals have largely been either selfish (I flee to Outlands so I don't freaking die via Kil'jaeden) or "for the greater good". He absorbed the powers of the Skull of Gul'dan so he could save Felwood, for one example. He saved a few drops from the Well of Eternity because he wanted to give the Night Elves immortality. He wanted to do the right things, but he was doing it the wrong way nearly every time. And he was imprisoned and nearly killed for it--heck, he WAS killed for eventually.
Quiz Jan 27th 2011 8:17PM
I want Jaina to get corrupted and go all Dark Phoenix and become a raid boss.
Lachdanan Jan 27th 2011 9:41PM
@Xantenise: Well most people aren't born evil, even fictional people. So the only difference is wether we see them change or we meet them after it, and I think the story is more compelling if you know how "bad guys" became that way, what drives them.
@Quiz: It's never going to happen, but that would be so awesome! :) I do think that Med'an is heading that way however. I have this theory that Med'an, Anduin and Baine are the next generation of lead characters, with Anduin as the "heart" of the story (you know, the loyal good guy in RP terms ^^), Baine as a leader of the people and Med'an as kind of a wild card with a Darth Vador / Anakin Skywalker vibe: the "chosen one", super gifted but who eventually turns evil and has to be stopped, but maybe, just maybe turns good again at the eleventh hour.
Xantenise Jan 28th 2011 12:24AM
@Razion If I had ever seen that reason in-game, I would have believed it and taken it for what it was. But it wasn't. Or if it did, there was no hint of it I ever picked up or saw.
@Lachdanan But we don't see what drives them. Most of the time, anyway.
The thing about most "evil" people is that they think they're doing the right thing. They don't take over the world for no reason. The difference between evil and good people is how far an evil person will go. (I dislike the Burning Legion strongly because they're nothing but "lol let's just destroy this" and you never see *why*. We're told they're chaos - but how? Why do they feel they have to keep going and doing this? Is it compelling? Or are they an army of sociopaths who happen to somehow be able to work in a group?)
For instance - Arthas, as an example. He wanted to save Lordaeron from the Plague, and he did it by purging Stratholme. It was an evil act - but he did what he thought was best. Unless you're a sociopath, the grand majority of "evil" people in history are this way - people who do evil things in pursuit of what they think is good, regardless of whether it's good for other people or not. A good person would do what's best for *all*. A bad person would do what they think is best for them/a select group of people, or just what they think is best, regardless of the consequences others will suffer.
While evil people sometimes do things for power for power's sake - it's just such a cliché now, it's unoriginal at best and it's just an excuse for lazy storytelling. "Hmm, we need to make a villain. Let's call him Joe and make him want power. Bam. Instant villain." It seems that Azeroth's only villains are either evil for no reason, evil because of some vague "power", or evil for evil's sake.
Arthas, I think, is the one exception to this rule - we saw why he became corrupt, we saw him trying to save his land, and we saw where he went wrong. He had a thirst for power - but he wanted that power to save Lordaeron, and his downfall came when grasping that power corrupted and twisted who he was.
TL;DR - Blizzard needs to stop making 2D villains.
MW Jan 28th 2011 7:49AM
The themes in World of Warcraft lore are the same themes that you see in all the classics, from Greek Tragedy to Shakespeare to Arthur Miller. And they are issues that we confront in our lives, though not as epic. Right vs might, revenge, obsession are all there for us to see, and are all what makes WoW so epic for me. Every time I think of the fall of Arthas, I think of Hamlet.
Xantenise Jan 28th 2011 9:12AM
@MW That's why I can never get into classics. ;)
Jeff (Not that one ^ ) Jan 27th 2011 7:26PM
"Or, as I suspect, is Sylvanas suffering from some outside force that is doing to her what was done to many before her -- clouding her mind to what is really at stake and pulling her into her own form of madness?"
An Old God, perhaps?
Xantenise Jan 27th 2011 7:30PM
There's an Old God under Tirisfal. (Or so it has long been suspected.) Undercity is underneath the surface and therefore quite easy to not only corrupt Sylvanas, but many, many Forsaken with her...
This is my second most suspected theory, my first being "Blizzard likes turning good people evil but not telling us why." (But I already ranted on that. *Cough*)
Jeff (Not that one ^ ) Jan 27th 2011 7:40PM
That and Old Gods controlling the Val'kyr could explain why they came to work for her and why some sacrificed themselves to return her to Undeath after her death in the Cata quests.
jealouspirate Jan 27th 2011 8:13PM
I really, really hope Sylvanas isn't being "corrupted" or "driven mad" by anything. It's a really boring and heavily over-used trope in WoW.
Can't someone just be bad? Or not bad, but which goals that oppose ours? The developers never seem to want any of their characters to be accountable for their actions. "Oh, she was driven insane. Corrupted by dark magic. There was a miscommunication. The demon blood did it, etc etc". I think it's also just used as a lame excuse to put some big lore figure as a raid boss. It's just cheap.
Really, I just want the Old Gods to go away entirely. I find them to be boring villains lacking in any personality.