01-05-2010, 12:27 AM
I've been really pondering this, and I wanted to get everyone's opinion on the matter. The old mantra is that more brains are better then one, and I feel that this really rings true with my problem at hand. The problem is this: what is going on with old Lordaeron? I know that Cataclysm is coming, but I haven't heard about many big changes going on in the decaying Plaguelands, besides the level change, and the acceptable number of alternate, reworked quests.
Forgive me if I am wrong, but here is the state of affairs for our favorite ruined human kingdom. First of all, the Scarlet Crusade is in complete disarray. Their central leadership boarded ships for Northrend, where they were mostly wiped out by regional forces. They were motivated to leave too by a view that the Scarlet Crusade was losing the battle in the Plaguelands, and that things were generally lost. Let's also take a look at the forces that are stationed in this area. Many of the quests from Deathknell to Light's Hope focus on annihilating Scarlet leaders and their many foot soldiers. I know that according to this logic, many other groups should be knocked out, but the Scarlet especially face troubles. Not only are they fighting PCs, but they also face the Scourge, the Forsaken, and the natural elements of the Plaguelands. Couple this with an organization that is built on religious zeal, and not on national pride, and the reticulation rate from births inside the organization may not turn into immediate soldiers.
As for an example, look how quickly New Avalon was destroyed by the Scourge forces. Honestly, after only a little bit, the whole city of New Avalon was destroyed, its inhabitants massacred, and the Scarlet garrison there effectively wiped out. We can only imagine that a similar scale of destruction exists elsewhere.
But what about the Scourge? The mindless killing machine that exists everywhere in the Plaguelands, can't be absent in this discussion either. Baron Rivendare has left Stratholme. He now leads the fight as one of the four Horseman in Naxxaramas. This mobile machine should also be mentioned. Kel'thuzad, who was tasked by Arthas to retain control over the Plaguelands, has been recalled to the icy shores of his master's fortress. Kel'thuzad has left, Baron Rivendare has left, and Stratholme has been attacked furiously, which must weaken the Scarlet Bastion forces, along with the undead stationed there. I'm not one hundred percent sure about the events going on with Scholomance, but I think it means that this will no longer be a threat in the Western Plaguelands either... (definitely quote me if I am wrong on that one though). The Lich King is also being assailed on all sides. He must be losing his grip on the Scourge, like in Warcraft III. As he faces the siege engines of the Horde and the Alliance, and the power of a rejuvenated Tirion Fordring, what use is there in keeping tight Andorhal? Or even Stratholme for that matter? He has more dire things to worry about then a city that may never lose its flame.
This leads me to one underlying question. Why isn't it plausible that these places could be taken back? Think about it for one. Obviously with Cataclysm coming, we don't want to destroy ever mob in place, but it definitely makes sense that at least someone could do a little pushing. Think about people's motives. Sylvanas, after Wrathgate, needs to make a large statement to the Horde. Perceived as weak, and unable to control her people, empire building can be just the answer. Think about real life here. Whenever there has been internal struggle or weakness, leaders have used external dealings, imperialism, and war in order to quell the threats. It distracts people, and gives them pride, and makes them stop thinking about the troubles they face. Especially after the business with the Sin'sholai, the Undead should be every ready to show that they are a force to be reckoned with. The same feelings should resonate with the Blood Elves. They are struggling to rebuild Silvermoon, which should make people wary of expansion. But what better statement could a brand new leader make to bring his people together, then an advancement into the Plaguelands?
As for the humans, conditions remain attractive too. Lordaeron was the bastion of humanity, and although Stormwind remains strong, it is Lordaeron that the humans prided themselves for. It was a place of refugee after the First War, and for years, it was all that was good and right in the world. The Argent Dawn is fragmented, and has mostly moved on their operations to the Lich King himself. With Stromgarde rebuilt, the Alliance has once again set its eyes on the north. Unfortunately for them, any operations there would obviously attract unwanted attention from the Undead and the Blood Elves. The humans though, have many X-factors. Calia Menethil, Arthas' sister, may still exist somewhere. She is effectively, the real Queen of Lordaeron. A rally from someone like her, who has an actual claim to the throne, may bring strength to Alliance forces. Also, the Alliance could seek a pact with the Scarlet Crusade. Although things could never be perfect, it may be the best deal that the remaining Scarlet forces are offered. Additionally, there are many Lordaeron refugees, and all of humanity should feel some draw to reclaim it, especially from the Horde. Now might be their best chance to take it.
There is also a large logistical question. The Alliance, in order to really be able to find this place livable, would require the work of Plagueshifters, along with Druids and Priests, in order to really make the land 'back to the way it needs to be.' The Horde on the other hand, is not in need of such a change. The Plague across old Lordaeron, is the old plague, and would have no real detrimental effect on the Forsaken who already have dealt with it. It may be disastrous for the Blood Elves, but it is much easier for the Horde to make it livable, because the Undead can do it, and then guard it as the Horde Plagueshifters do their work.
Now I'm not a fan of immediately saying, we should just retake this and have it all better again. A reclaimed Lordaeron is implausible in any sense. Even a reclaimed Stratholme is far-fetched. And, an Alliance reconstruction of old-style Lordaeron, is the farthest from what I am getting at. All I am saying is that the Plaguelands specifically, offer a very unique situation that we don't see a lot of in the Warcraft universe...a void. The Scourge is reeling, the Crusade is broken, and the Dawn is off in bigger and better things. The motivation is there for both sides. It's the homeland for both the Forsaken, and to an extent the Blood Elves, and it is still probably a shrine for many Lordaeron citizens living in diaspora in Azeroth.
If at any time...the roleplay opportunities in this place are ripe.
But I'm not suggesting roleplay exclusively. I wanted to place this in general discussion, because I wanted people's opinions not only on the opportunity in old Lordaeron, but what they think about what I've laid out here. Motives, intrigue? Think I've got it all wrong...I'd really like to discuss this.
Forgive me if I am wrong, but here is the state of affairs for our favorite ruined human kingdom. First of all, the Scarlet Crusade is in complete disarray. Their central leadership boarded ships for Northrend, where they were mostly wiped out by regional forces. They were motivated to leave too by a view that the Scarlet Crusade was losing the battle in the Plaguelands, and that things were generally lost. Let's also take a look at the forces that are stationed in this area. Many of the quests from Deathknell to Light's Hope focus on annihilating Scarlet leaders and their many foot soldiers. I know that according to this logic, many other groups should be knocked out, but the Scarlet especially face troubles. Not only are they fighting PCs, but they also face the Scourge, the Forsaken, and the natural elements of the Plaguelands. Couple this with an organization that is built on religious zeal, and not on national pride, and the reticulation rate from births inside the organization may not turn into immediate soldiers.
As for an example, look how quickly New Avalon was destroyed by the Scourge forces. Honestly, after only a little bit, the whole city of New Avalon was destroyed, its inhabitants massacred, and the Scarlet garrison there effectively wiped out. We can only imagine that a similar scale of destruction exists elsewhere.
But what about the Scourge? The mindless killing machine that exists everywhere in the Plaguelands, can't be absent in this discussion either. Baron Rivendare has left Stratholme. He now leads the fight as one of the four Horseman in Naxxaramas. This mobile machine should also be mentioned. Kel'thuzad, who was tasked by Arthas to retain control over the Plaguelands, has been recalled to the icy shores of his master's fortress. Kel'thuzad has left, Baron Rivendare has left, and Stratholme has been attacked furiously, which must weaken the Scarlet Bastion forces, along with the undead stationed there. I'm not one hundred percent sure about the events going on with Scholomance, but I think it means that this will no longer be a threat in the Western Plaguelands either... (definitely quote me if I am wrong on that one though). The Lich King is also being assailed on all sides. He must be losing his grip on the Scourge, like in Warcraft III. As he faces the siege engines of the Horde and the Alliance, and the power of a rejuvenated Tirion Fordring, what use is there in keeping tight Andorhal? Or even Stratholme for that matter? He has more dire things to worry about then a city that may never lose its flame.
This leads me to one underlying question. Why isn't it plausible that these places could be taken back? Think about it for one. Obviously with Cataclysm coming, we don't want to destroy ever mob in place, but it definitely makes sense that at least someone could do a little pushing. Think about people's motives. Sylvanas, after Wrathgate, needs to make a large statement to the Horde. Perceived as weak, and unable to control her people, empire building can be just the answer. Think about real life here. Whenever there has been internal struggle or weakness, leaders have used external dealings, imperialism, and war in order to quell the threats. It distracts people, and gives them pride, and makes them stop thinking about the troubles they face. Especially after the business with the Sin'sholai, the Undead should be every ready to show that they are a force to be reckoned with. The same feelings should resonate with the Blood Elves. They are struggling to rebuild Silvermoon, which should make people wary of expansion. But what better statement could a brand new leader make to bring his people together, then an advancement into the Plaguelands?
As for the humans, conditions remain attractive too. Lordaeron was the bastion of humanity, and although Stormwind remains strong, it is Lordaeron that the humans prided themselves for. It was a place of refugee after the First War, and for years, it was all that was good and right in the world. The Argent Dawn is fragmented, and has mostly moved on their operations to the Lich King himself. With Stromgarde rebuilt, the Alliance has once again set its eyes on the north. Unfortunately for them, any operations there would obviously attract unwanted attention from the Undead and the Blood Elves. The humans though, have many X-factors. Calia Menethil, Arthas' sister, may still exist somewhere. She is effectively, the real Queen of Lordaeron. A rally from someone like her, who has an actual claim to the throne, may bring strength to Alliance forces. Also, the Alliance could seek a pact with the Scarlet Crusade. Although things could never be perfect, it may be the best deal that the remaining Scarlet forces are offered. Additionally, there are many Lordaeron refugees, and all of humanity should feel some draw to reclaim it, especially from the Horde. Now might be their best chance to take it.
There is also a large logistical question. The Alliance, in order to really be able to find this place livable, would require the work of Plagueshifters, along with Druids and Priests, in order to really make the land 'back to the way it needs to be.' The Horde on the other hand, is not in need of such a change. The Plague across old Lordaeron, is the old plague, and would have no real detrimental effect on the Forsaken who already have dealt with it. It may be disastrous for the Blood Elves, but it is much easier for the Horde to make it livable, because the Undead can do it, and then guard it as the Horde Plagueshifters do their work.
Now I'm not a fan of immediately saying, we should just retake this and have it all better again. A reclaimed Lordaeron is implausible in any sense. Even a reclaimed Stratholme is far-fetched. And, an Alliance reconstruction of old-style Lordaeron, is the farthest from what I am getting at. All I am saying is that the Plaguelands specifically, offer a very unique situation that we don't see a lot of in the Warcraft universe...a void. The Scourge is reeling, the Crusade is broken, and the Dawn is off in bigger and better things. The motivation is there for both sides. It's the homeland for both the Forsaken, and to an extent the Blood Elves, and it is still probably a shrine for many Lordaeron citizens living in diaspora in Azeroth.
If at any time...the roleplay opportunities in this place are ripe.
But I'm not suggesting roleplay exclusively. I wanted to place this in general discussion, because I wanted people's opinions not only on the opportunity in old Lordaeron, but what they think about what I've laid out here. Motives, intrigue? Think I've got it all wrong...I'd really like to discuss this.
Arinus Isgar - Citizen of Alterac
Rothas Darkcaller - Forsaken Imperialist
Gorum Stonefist - Servant of the Warsong
Durien Thunderbeard - Dwarven Priest of Lordaeron
Sathon Kothsor - Blood Knight
Rothas Darkcaller - Forsaken Imperialist
Gorum Stonefist - Servant of the Warsong
Durien Thunderbeard - Dwarven Priest of Lordaeron
Sathon Kothsor - Blood Knight