Breakfast Topic: Which race has the best lore?
by Amelia Ramstead 
Nov 19th 2011 at 8:00AM
Every race has its own unique storyline, many of which have been played out in books, comics, and endless fanfics. Who have you enjoyed reading and acting out the most?
I'm torn. I love the orc lore -- it's so richly detailed, especially in so many of the books, that when I play an orc or head into orc territory, I really feel like I get them. I know most of the NPCs by name, and I know their backstories and their motivations. Landing on Nagrand for the first time in The Burning Crusade with an orc character was a game-changing experience.
The night elves probably have the most complete lore -- quite a feat when you consider how long their race goes back. Night elf lore imbues the game with an aura of mystery and grace that I have yet to find anywhere else. It's hard to play a night elf and not feel inclined to roleplay, at least a little bit. Playing through the quests involving Malfurion Stormrage always provides a sense of urgency, like the world actually depends on what you are doing.
Now it's your turn. Whose lore gets you really involved? Have you acted out stories involving the lore? Do you read up to get the background on your characters?
Filed under: Breakfast Topics, Guest Posts
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
razion Nov 19th 2011 8:18AM
I've always found Forsaken and Scourge lore particularly interesting, because it begins with the story of Arthas, who still remains one of my favorite characters of the franchise alongside Kel'Thuzad. His story was interesting, and I loved following his story throughout the RTSs and forward into his expansion.
The Plague was always this dark, magical, unstoppable and mysterious force. There was always more to discover about The Plague, and I particularly find the character motivations of those turned by undeath to be extra compelling. Nothing really quite screams faith in the Light like someone who's gone through the tortures of the Lich King, forced to commit genocide under his reign, and then even after pushing through the pain the Light provides with using it for one bound by dark magic and *still* holding on. It speaks volumes of their tenacity and dedication, of strength of the human spirit, and I can respect that.
If there was something I'd always wished for, however, was a return on the Legion against Scourge conflict that was seemingly lost after the RTSs. The Legion wanted Arthas out of the picture because they could no longer control him--he was getting too powerful. I would envision the Legion making headway into Icecrown through the Frozen Wastes with their green fire, burning through the continent until they reached Icecrown Citadel and confronted him directly while he's busy with us. And that's when we'd find out--that the Lich King was using The Plague all this time as a way of fighting off the Legion invasion and saving Azeroth. That The Plague was Azeroth's last line of defense, and the only way to save the world would be to subject to his rule, if only temporarily--an acceptance of a lesser evil for the greater good to stop the far greater evil.
It's that kind of potential for great story that I love about The Scourge and the Forsaken--there's just so many ways it can go, and I will always find it interesting. Besides, I'm just a sucker for the classic epic tales of True Good versus Chaotic Evil and Lesser Evil versus Greater Evil. They never get old.
Darky Nov 19th 2011 9:24AM
Agreed.
Murdrock Nov 19th 2011 10:06AM
There is still a "good guy" as Lich King at the moment on the Ice Crown Throne... So your lore seems interesting to see it on a future expansion... Actually i would love to see it!
Pandaninja Nov 20th 2011 8:40AM
I would agree with you, except that is the exact dynamic that occured in BC.
Illidan wasn't evil, he was only amassing an army against the Burning Legion who wanted him dead for not going through with the plan of destroying Kel'thuzad. It's an interesting dynamic, but one they had just done recently. I think the whole "I've been leading you along to make you strong enough to become my unstoppable tool against your own friends" worked for WotLK.
raposo02790 Nov 19th 2011 8:24AM
The space gypsies, whom have been caught up in centuries upon centuries of a diaspora (dranei) queue the Gogol bordello macinima music video from back in the day
Stella Nov 19th 2011 8:28AM
The Worgen
Stella Nov 19th 2011 8:32AM
Hit "Post" too fast.
Worgen lore taps into both Night elf and Human lore. That gives t a big head start in the race for my interest.
To add to that, I have to say that Blizzard did a fantastic job of integrating their lore into the canon. The way they took all those disparate and seemingly contradictory tid-bits of information we had about them and weaved them into a coherent, powerful and self- consistent storyline was extremely impressive.
lilywillylover Nov 19th 2011 9:07AM
Too bad their storyline just stops... =/
llcjay2003 Nov 19th 2011 10:08AM
WTB Gilneas back.
SamLowry Nov 19th 2011 11:52AM
I call shenanigans if you have to faction-change just to keep following the Worgen storyline.
SR Nov 19th 2011 11:05PM
I was cheering on the Worgen when I was playing an undead. Felt so proud for their valiant defense, and their tenacity;
PLAYING THE OPPOSITE FACTION TO APPRECIATE THE BADASSERY OF YOUR FACTION'S MEMBERS FTW
Gendou Nov 19th 2011 8:30AM
With their fall from grace, subsequent attempts at redemption, and current backsliding, I think that the Orcs have the best lore.
However, given the fluidity of purpose and their questionable motives, I think the Forsaken have the most interesting lore.
delpietro1 Nov 19th 2011 8:32AM
I always liked the Dwarf lore, especially becouse it's mysterious and discovering it is so important in dwarven society
Revnah Nov 19th 2011 8:33AM
You probably knew I would say this but... trolls. They, too, are one of the most ancient races, and I love the stories of their empires of yore and how they fell. The Darkspears' story starts a little later but it's very interesting, most of all Vol'jin - hardly a leader is so complex and still so utterly admirable.
-Revnah, the tribal Darkspear woman
Kagemiko Nov 20th 2011 8:08AM
Even though my favorite is Worgen, the Darkspears are my favorite Horde Race. Vol'jin is completely awesome. I've played for a pretty long time, mostly as Alliance, and I've always had respect for the Horde leaders, in particular Vol'jin and Cairne.
Skye Nov 19th 2011 8:46AM
I don't know that any one race has the "best" lore in game. I do think, however, that Blizzard has done more for the horde races in terms of lore (orcs in particular) to make them appear less as bad guys.
Mortenebra Nov 19th 2011 9:17AM
I can only pick just one? Man, that's a toughie... I've grown to like Troll lore *a lot* since researching for my short story. I love the tragic nature of the Orcs. The legacy of the humans is compelling. And who doesn't love a good rendition of the Dwarven Civil War over a mug of ale?
But the lore that made me into the WoW fanatic (and lore nerd) I am now is Elvish lore, particularly those who were exiled after Queen Azshara's folly. From Highborne to high elf to blood elf to Sunfury to Scryer and now to a quiet, recovering people who are asking themselves, "Now what?". To have a leader you once revered to near-god status and then realize he's deranged? That's rough. I like the fact that they're not perfect and, if anything, they're trying their damnedest to make amends for it. I don't envy Lor'themar Theron at all but I stand with him (unless he ends up being deranged, too, which will make me one very sad fangi-- I mean, panda... -aherm-).
Eternauta Nov 19th 2011 3:29PM
I'm with you on that.
My favorite racial lore is that of the Sin'Dorei and the Orcs.
Although Draenei have a lot of potential, if Blizz decided to elaborate more on their past, their culture and story, instead of pretending that they aren't there, as if they were ashamed of ever creating such a different and awesome race.
vlad_dracul2k2002 Nov 19th 2011 9:29AM
I don't know that I like any one race's lore more than another.
They all have a cool factor. I think the night elves, trolls and orcs have the most detailed lore, which is always a good thing. Gnomes and dwarves started as creations of the Titans and humans started as giant vikings.
One race I'd like to see more lore on are the tauren. I think the tauren are the coolest race in the Horde. Their architecture has a very native american feel. They also try to make peace before resorting to fighting. And once war is called, they're at the front lines smashing the enemy's face in and healing their allies.
Prella Nov 19th 2011 9:46AM
Without a doubt the night elves have an enormous amount of lore surrounding them. The one race that I wish had their lore explored more are the Tauren. Almost nothing is known about their past.