Posts with tag theramore

The World of Warcraft is an expansive universe. You're playing the game, you're fighting the bosses, you know the how -- but do you know the why? Each week, Matthew Rossi and Anne Stickney make sure you Know Your Lore by covering the history of the story behind World of Warcraft.

Garrosh Hellscream is almost an enigma in his own right. You wouldn't think that, by first glance -- after all, right now he fits the bill of brutal orc bent on global domination. But Garrosh's story has had so many moments between the depressed and unwilling would-be leader of Garadar, and the bloodthirsty warleader of Mists of Pandaria that it's difficult to determine where, exactly, he went from point A to point B. I've been asked about it before by many, but KyleCaligiuri phrased it really well, so I'll reprint the question here.

Is there some piece of lore I'm missing explaining Garrosh's actions between Cataclysm and Tides of War? Shattering helped put a *bit* of a positive light on Garrosh after WotLK, I felt, since he was remorseful about what happened with Cairne (in that he didn't want to win by cheating...) and I felt his leader short story did as well, if I remember correctly. I'm now playing through the Horde campaign finally, and the events in Stonetalon further point that he is all about honor and pride in the Horde. Also, Ragefire Chasm is all about defeating the dark shaman so that they don't end up with another threat like the Twilight's Hammer or Burning Blade. Yet, this is all contradicted in Tides of War, where he drops a bomb just as Krom'gar did in Stonetalon, and embraces the dark shaman. I'm only up to Desolace right now in the Horde campaign, so do we see his progression toward the more corrupt Garrosh, or is this still yet to be explained?

It's that disconnect between moments that confuses people. Garrosh may be many things, but two-dimensional is not one of them. Who is Garrosh Hellscream, and how did he find his way to this path that flies in the face of his previous actions?

I haven't played the pre-expansion event yet, but I heard Jaina Proudmoore is having a really bad week in it. Apparently someone threw a surprise party at her house and left the place trashed, then when she went to the salon later they completely botched her dye job. I feel so bad for her! The poor girl just hasn't been able to catch a break since that awful mess with Arthas. Still, trying to go three shades lighter all in one go ... She brought that one on herself.

Anyway, in honor of the Mists of Pandaria pre-expansion event, I thought it fitting to feature Lady Jaina Proudmoore for this week's transmog outfit. Sadly, Jaina's new, unique model can't be replicated by players, but you can get pretty close to making her old one.

We're going to shift gears today. Last week, I got kind of crazy, and Anne posed some pretty interesting questions about the TCG this weekend, so now I want to downshift and take advantage of this last week before Mists launches and we can finally explode in our lorepaloozas about Mogu and Yaungol and Vermings oh my.

But this week, with Theramore's fall, I wanted to touch upon a little story that may be lost. Sure, it's all big Horde invasions and mana bombs and vengeance, and that's all great, but who remembers the Hyal family? Who remembers a nice little inn on the Gold Road between Theramore and Ashenvale? Remember Theramore, of course, but let's also mourn for Smiling Jim, who lost everything already before the mana bomb ended his life. Perhaps mercifully, in his case.

He'll bring you mead

He'll bring you beer

A grinning face from ear to ear

He's served us all from year to year

We call him Smiling Jim.

Welcome back to The Queue, the daily Q&A column in which the WoW Insider team answers your questions about the World of Warcraft. Alex Ziebart will be your host today.

The other night, an old Polish family on my block held a polka karaoke party. Most of the younger people (around my age) stood on their lawns gawking in the direction of polka house, unable to comprehend the festivities.

As a man of Polish upbringing myself, it made me hella nostalgic for hearing polka at my grandparents' house all of the time as a kid. Now I pass the polka on to you, ladies and gentlemen.

Enjoy.

stuart asked:

Why did the Horde bomb Theramore? I haven't been able to find anything that explains the reasons behind the Horde's actions.

We got our first taste of released Mists of Pandaria playable content today in the Theramore's Fall scenario (read the walk-through). Queue up (hopefully for not too long) and then play through a quick group quest-like zone. It's a great concept that is sure to give everyone something to do at max level, while providing some lore content and gameplay options.

But ...

I was underwhelmed. There wasn't a lot of challenge in it (although that's what Challenge Mode dungeons are for), and it felt a little too Rift-ey for my taste. But that said, I'm not entirely sure this isn't exactly what Blizzard's going for: quick and easy. Let's also not make the mistake of judging an entire book by just one chapter.

The reactions from the community have been interesting as well. I reached out to our Twitter and Facebook audience last night, and they came back with some notable takes on the scenario:

• Jpsmith says: "The scenario was great! Needs lead up quest to explain why Horde attacks."
• Mingusunt tweets: "Reaction to Theramore: All the hype for that?"
• Atara tweeted: "Seems you needed to read Tides of War to get the full story. A simple intro quest would have helped fill in the story gaps."
• Glong said: "I've never seen a prexpac event last 10 min."
• Brandon commented: "RIP Theramore, I'll have many fond memories of using you as a passageway into the Alliance lands. - Love, an Undead Rogue"
• James said: "Was fun but was expecting more out of it story-wise. Resounding "meh"."

One thing I think is important to point out is that it does make a lot more sense for those that have read the book. I haven't finished Tides of War (read our detailed review) yet, but others that have tell me it helps a ton.

So let's open up the flood gates and talk about it... what do you think of Theramore's Fall?

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It's open warfare between Alliance and Horde in Mists of Pandaria, World of Warcraft's next expansion. Jump into five new levels with new talents and class mechanics, try the new monk class, and create a pandaren character to ally with either Horde or Alliance. Look for expansion basics in our Mists FAQ, or dig into our spring press event coverage for more details!

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Ready for your first taste at scenarios? You'll get to enjoy them a day earlier, it looks like. Kaivax's post on the official forums has been updated to indicate that the Theramore event is actually releasing today (September 17) in the U.S. and not tomorrow, as was previously planned.

Bashiok hopped on and provided some additional timeframe details:

Bashiok

For US servers it will be unlocked today in the afternoon.

source

There are some item level requirements you'll need to be aware of before you run the scenario, so be sure to check those out. Additionally, you can get prepped for the scenario by reading our short history of Theramore; find out what all the fuss has been about over the years.

Looks like it's time to go see Jaina get mad!

If you're wondering what is required for running the Theramore scenario (vengeance for Theramore!) going live on the 18th (that's in two days, folks) Nethaera has you covered. What do you need to do to be able to try and take part in this scenario and see the final fate of Theramore?

Nethaera - Theramore Scenario - requirements?

I just went back to verify this further to make sure I wasn't giving incorrect information. (Sorry for the confusion folks.) There is also an item level that goes with it. At level 85 Theramore's Fall is set to item level 353. At level 90 the item level is currently set for 425.

If you're not at the correct item level for the level 85 scenario when it goes live, you still have some time before it releases (Sept. 18) and it will be running for a week at that level before it goes to level 90.

source

So next week, when it goes live, you'll need to be level 85 and have ilevel 353 gear. Once Mists of Pandaria launches, you'll need to be level 90 and have ilevel 425 gear. There you go, that's the requirements you need to meet to get to see Theramore's fall.

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It's open warfare between Alliance and Horde in Mists of Pandaria, World of Warcraft's next expansion. Jump into five new levels with new talents and class mechanics, try the new monk class, and create a pandaren character to ally with either Horde or Alliance. Look for expansion basics in our Mists FAQ, or dig into our spring press event coverage for more details!

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The loss of Theramore is the latest, biggest blow struck to the Alliance in a very long series of blows. Mists of Pandaria suggests the Alliance is done accepting the abuse and is prepared to do something about it. Let's all pretend for a moment that this story arc won't result in newfound peace. Let's assume the Alliance is going to make an equally devastating strike against the Horde, wiping a major Horde stronghold off the map. What would serve as an equivalent reprisal?

As an Alliance player, specifically someone with a human main, I'd love to see the fall of Undercity. However, trading Theramore for Undercity isn't quite an equivalent exchange. A better reprisal may be an orcish settlement in Kalimdor. The night elves have been losing territory to the Horde nonstop since the orcs' arrival on Kalimdor and it's about time they start to push back. I'd love to see the kaldorei, under the command of Shandris Feathermoon, push the Horde out of Feralas or Ashenvale.

Alliance players, what would you see as a valid reprisal to the loss of Theramore? Horde players, what would hurt to lose? Remember, in this scenario, it will happen. You can't claim the Horde wouldn't lose anything, that's cheating!

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The latest WoW novel, Tides of War, sees its official release date today. The book, penned by Christie Golden, tells the story of the Horde's attack on Theramore as seen through the eyes of Jaina Proudmoore.

We'll be able to experience that attack first-hand in game via the Theramore scenario, which should show up in game in the next few weeks. If you want a sneak peek, though, or further elaboration on what exactly Garrosh Hellscream is up to and what happens to Jaina and the people of Theranore, you can pick up this novel.

For more information, be sure to check out our spoiler-free review of the book, as well as our interview with author Christie Golden. You can find the book at most major bookstores, as well as online on Amazon in Hardcover or Kindle editions.

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