Breakfast Topic: Who'll be in charge in the next regime?
by Kevin Podsiadlik 
Apr 17th 2011 at 8:00AM
Changes in leadership at the top of the various races in WoW is a common occurrence these days. The dwarves, tauren, orcs, and arguably the night elves (depending on who you considered the real bosses in Darnassus) all took on new leadership as of Cataclysm. The humans and the Forsaken as well have experienced temporary shifts at the top of their power structures at one point or another.
Today's question is simple: Who's next?
Most of the obvious candidates for replacement are on the Horde side. Sylvanas is clearly running rogue and making even her allies uncomfortable. Absentee trade prince Gallywix has been living on borrowed time from the start. Garrosh and Vol'jin have a little philosophical disagreement going that seems likely to be resolved with fewer than two of them alive. And even Lor'Themar seems to be just waiting around for a blood elf with enough ambition to unseat him.
Still, change remains plausible on the Alliance side as well. As long as Garona lives, Anduin is just one stab away from the throne being his permanently. The situation in Ironforge seems stable for now, but with three co-rulers around, anything can happen. The gnomes are supposed to be a democracy, meaning Mekkatorque's term in office could be over any time now. And the night elves ... well, if you understand their internal politics, you're one up on me.
Given the state of political flux on Azeroth, it's more a matter of when rather than if one of the current leaders will be deposed, assassinated, or simply voted out. But which one, and (for extra credit) who will take over?
Filed under: Breakfast Topics, Guest Posts
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
Necromann Apr 17th 2011 8:09AM
I hope Sylvanas stays.
Rezai Apr 17th 2011 8:47AM
I think they should keep Sylvanas but promote Lilian Voss to Horde leader. That way we get to keep our queen and we get to watch our leader murder alliance with beautiful purple flames.
I think that is something we can all agree on would be awesome. Except for the alliance being burned in said purple flames but who cares about them anyways?
Shadowwind Apr 17th 2011 12:22PM
Problem with Lillian Voss is that we've seen exactly ZERO leadership potential from her. Every time we've seen her, it's off doing her own thing. The one time she's worked with someone else (the player), she didn't exactly attempt to give us orders (aside from 'accompany me up there', or even think out a strategy. Further, what reason do the Forsaken have to want to follow her?
ZeroDesu Apr 17th 2011 12:24PM
I happen to think it would go nice with our Blue color-scheme. I'm for it!
Khoonda Apr 17th 2011 12:28PM
Why not Bolivar Fordragon to lead the Forsaken the guys a hero thru and thru and he would care about the forsaken more the Lillian would I think
Shadowwind Apr 17th 2011 12:43PM
Exactly! Bolvar might not have the best of leadership records (though to be fair, Onyxia tricked far more people than just Bolvar), but he IS a proven leader and one likely to put his people first. The only problem I have with this theory is that I don't really see the Forsaken wanting to follow an (to them) unknown, or for that matter: abandoning their Dark Lady. If Bolvar becomes a Horde faction leader, it's more likely to come in a story twist that has the Scourge joining the Horde right as the Forsaken break off to become a nemesis faction.
Shadda Apr 17th 2011 1:51PM
I can't imagine Bolvar ever leading a faction that opposes Stormwind. He has strong personal ties to both the kingdom and its royal family. There's also the little matter of the Foresaken being responsible for Bolvar's condition. I just can't imagine him siding with the Foresaken over his former people in light of all that's happened. If anything, Bolvar may become a neutral third party, carrying on his selfless paladin persona.
On a side note: what if Bolvar isn't so selfless? What if he had some ulterior motive for wanting the Lich King's power? Hmm...
icepyro Apr 17th 2011 3:18PM
I think they are setting Sylvanas up to be what everyone hoped Arthas to be. Many are already comparing her to him, and it's just a matter of time before push comes to shove. The real question will be: without Frostmourne consuming her soul, is it possible for her to actually be redeemed? I think Blizzard is going to say "yes" and give some kind of plot where she finds redemption and some faction balance/goal outside of "Ev0l&tm;".
Toggle Apr 17th 2011 10:29PM
I agree, for no other reason than that she's an interesting lore character who has conflict almost always spinning around her. Good fiction has conflict in it, and many WoW players seem intent on ironing out all conflict that isn't between the black and white, infallibly good entities and evil entities that are only evil for evil's sake.
Vivimord Apr 18th 2011 1:44AM
Personally, I hope Sylvanas dies horribly.
For the third time.
And that she stays that way.
I've had enough of the femme fatale leader who makes the entire race look evil.
Inahu Apr 18th 2011 6:25AM
Vivimord - you're sick of the evil leader of the playable race of sinister undead because she's evil?
Personally, I love Sylvanas. The more insane she becomes, the more I like her. I don't want her to be redeemed, nor would I like to see her eventually killed off. I think she brings too much to the game that no other major character can. Just hearing her rationalise the use of Val'kyr demonstrates how sinister, ruthless and pragmatic she can be - at the same time casting doubt over how far her loyalty to the Horde truly stretches. Can the orcs really contain her, especially now without Thrall, perhaps the only orc as intelligent as she?
Argumentativeweasel Apr 17th 2011 8:11AM
I don't think Thrall or Varian will ever be permanently replaced. They ARE World of Warcraft.
bella Apr 17th 2011 8:40AM
I think that Hellscream will replace Thrall permanently. Thrall is going to go off and do his thing with the Earthen Ring and (I can't find it now) but I thought I remember reading somewhere there was hints of Thrall being the new Earth Aspect once Deathwing is dead.
loop_not_defined Apr 17th 2011 8:45AM
Thrall sitting at the seat of the new Orgrimmar just doesn't seem right. Limiting his destiny to just that of the Horde also doesn't seem right. I hope he'll always be around, but whether he is or is not the ruler of the Horde just isn't as important to me.
Noyou Apr 17th 2011 8:56AM
Thrall will most certainly return. I play ally mostly (98%) but I do like the horde lore/politics. I cannot wait for Blaine to get his revenge on Garrosh. And he most certainly will. At some point I expect Thrall to march back into Org and boot Garrosh. It just has to be.
As far as Alliance goes. Not sure if it fits in but I could see Jaina taking over SW for a period of time. Maybe Varian goes off to train his boy. Eventually his son is going to be king at some point. I hope Magni somehow comes back but I doubt he will. As for Velen and Lor'Themar. Wouldn't surprise me in the least if they vanish. Blizzard has pretty much ignored them since they brought them in. I think Sylvanas would make an epic bad guy.
talkaboom Apr 17th 2011 8:57AM
Several problems with some races, but here are my predictions
Horde:
1. Orcs: Abesik Kempfire
2. Forsaken: Sylavannas is going rogue, But no one else is upto it, save Kolitara, and he is a mere shadow of her.
3. Trolls: Voljin stays.
4. Tauren: they just lost Cairne, come on.
5. Belf: Again, no notable figure after Loth.
5. Goblins: No real figure to lead them. I vote Sassy Handwrench.
..
Alliance:
1. Humans: Anduin
2. Dwarf: Muradin
3. Nelf: Tyrande stays!
4. Gnomes: They already have an able leadership imo.
5. Dranei: How can you think of replacing Velen? Unless he dies of old age.
6. Worgen: Again, no one/ No need to replace Graymane.
Thrall will probably go on to become the Aspect of Earth or something. He is too important for the Horde to have alone.
Noyou Apr 17th 2011 9:03AM
The only way I see Thrall not coming back would be some new coalition (like argent crusade) where he goes off with Varian (maybe to take out Sylvanas) and take up residence in a future expansion. One of them would probably not make it back. Probably Varian. It would be kind of cool for Horde and Alliance to come together for one expac and defeat a common opponent.
Murdertime Apr 17th 2011 9:09AM
No real competent figure after loth....
NO REAL COMPETENT FIGURE AFTER LOTH!
http://www.wowhead.com/npc=46757
Bah!
gamerunknown Apr 17th 2011 9:47AM
Lady Liadrin could easily take over after Lothremar, though I'm not sure how many remember her.
Sylvanas needs to go. Put a human back on the throne of Lordaeron, the undead wouldn't mind.
loop_not_defined Apr 17th 2011 10:25AM
Noyou, why would Baine "get revenge" on Garrosh? Cairne accepted the fight knowing one of them would die, and Magatha is responsible for the poison.