Orc Quest; or, A Critical Examination of Agency Through in Interactive Fiction (Warcraft)
- Thread starter FractiousDay
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- Fantasy
Zeitgeist Blue
Currently Made of Metal
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[X] Tell Fordring about your call to the Light.
I have almost zero Warcraft knowledge outside of this quest so I'm with Nevill when I say that name-dropping these characters does nothing for me. It's the interactions with characters who we've established relationships with like Feldad, Sesk, Ishi, Vark, Thrall, and Fairbanks that I'm here for.
Also the political plays of the Horde and Orc relations. Grok is too enmeshed into the upper strata of Horde society not to play politics, even as an exile his exploits have repercussions. I know Thrall is the good guy while Neeru's a bad guy in the lore but I would still chop off Grok's right arm for Feldad and the Burning Blade Clan.
I have almost zero Warcraft knowledge outside of this quest so I'm with Nevill when I say that name-dropping these characters does nothing for me. It's the interactions with characters who we've established relationships with like Feldad, Sesk, Ishi, Vark, Thrall, and Fairbanks that I'm here for.
Also the political plays of the Horde and Orc relations. Grok is too enmeshed into the upper strata of Horde society not to play politics, even as an exile his exploits have repercussions. I know Thrall is the good guy while Neeru's a bad guy in the lore but I would still chop off Grok's right arm for Feldad and the Burning Blade Clan.
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Kir the Wizard
The Sun King
- Location
- Ukraine
Yep. Who know what they can tell us about it? Just reforging Ashbringer (in an Orc katana form, even) is a valid choice, considering its might against the undead, but maybe there are some paths we're missing. Then again, the forging of Ashbringer couldn't happen without a communion of top-level paladins. We may need the Alliance's help for that.
Feldad and those that grumble about Thrall's leadership would be smiling on the inside?
- Location
- barking
so we are going to alterac now which means maybe dealing with frostwolf clan, syndiate lead by Aliden, more ogres apart from our main objective
Wrong wording, not should be now.
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- United Kingdom
Nah its some harry potter cross. Was good at the start but the author had a real problem with showhorning people into particular roles where it wasn't appropirate.
These are all valid, but I'd also suggest that given the quest's themes, Grok,and therefore you, may not get a choice in it really. As Vark has noted, if a Chief leads more than one clan there's a specific name for that, and both Thrall and Rend would indeed perceive that as threatening. No one necessarily says there have to be only 1 orc polity, but it's certainly challenging.
Those are good points, I can certainly put a couple into the future chapters
About 2 years, perhaps slightly under that.
One thing I do want to present is that there aren't really 'evil' races. They might be opposed to you, but if they're civilised they'll at least still talk to you etc. They might not have much to say, but you could walk into Zul Aman and have a chat with Zul'jin if you wanted.
While Thrall would be very concerned about that, I think he'd be more nuanced in his understanding. Grok represents a threat to be sure, but one which is different from the old demoney threats. Grok's is a relatively new tradition that's still forming, but one that fully engages with the warlike past of the Orcs, and if that's rewarded, Thrall's more pacifist tradition is in serious danger.
If engaged with, there will certainly be many consequences.
Depends really. Feldad sure, smiling on the outside too lol. However, others who generally support Thrall but have some gripes will be concerned really as any political schism can be damaging.
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- United Kingdom
Also given the overwhelming support for telling Tirion, I don't see the need to keep the vote open as long as I did really. So will close.
Politics is a very funny recipe. Thanks to your quest it made Thrall in opposition to the Burning Blade and was going to use them as the scapegoat for not being able to stop the elemental until Grok took the blame. Who's to say Thrall will consider assassins or something else to make sure Grok stays away?
But...... if he knows how to take it as an opportunity he may as well find some way for reconciliation to get Grok back from exile. Probably something like a suicide mission Grok will be honor bound to take for the good of the clan.
This has given me consideration for another orc polity. It's not a bad thing but there's precedent drawing from the humans who used to belong to the empire of Arathor until they split.
If the orcs or bits of the horde must split because there's elements that think differently to the main horde why not? Better to split on amicable terms than start a civil war.
View: https://youtu.be/kdy4GE4AgBk
Go Hakumen.
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I don't think Grok has enough orcs for the state.
He now has 600 of them, moreover, warriors and mostly men, well, he will find a couple of thousand more in prisons and roads somewhere who will agree to join him, but this is the limit. Migration from Kalimdor is unlikely to be noticeable, and the rest of the orcs in the region are clan-based, and most likely will not join us without extreme circumstances.
Here, it would be more likely to be some kind of independent city with suburbs, maybe as a member of the Alliance, maybe just as an ally.
He now has 600 of them, moreover, warriors and mostly men, well, he will find a couple of thousand more in prisons and roads somewhere who will agree to join him, but this is the limit. Migration from Kalimdor is unlikely to be noticeable, and the rest of the orcs in the region are clan-based, and most likely will not join us without extreme circumstances.
Here, it would be more likely to be some kind of independent city with suburbs, maybe as a member of the Alliance, maybe just as an ally.
You do a great job at world building and character writing. The politics of the horde from the magical arts in conflict with each other to the struggle between orc tribes makes for a gripping read. I particularly like how you convey that fell use isn't an evil stupid thing and was depicted in a way that makes sense for the orcs use while conversely shamanism was shown to have it's downsides. It makes the orcs seem far more understandable for why they use fell.
Then you have character work which is just great. Other people have said this but to reiterate you make your characters complex and interesting. They act depending on the situation not just according character archetypes or more accurately if they are 'good or bad' but like people with goals and agendas. Amoral but not alien which I like.
Then you have character work which is just great. Other people have said this but to reiterate you make your characters complex and interesting. They act depending on the situation not just according character archetypes or more accurately if they are 'good or bad' but like people with goals and agendas. Amoral but not alien which I like.
Not if he keeps tallying more victories and achievements under his belt he won't.
As of now he's not a random schmuck anymore what with slaying more death knights especially the most famous of them who wielded the corrupt ashbringer. A fully accomplished blademaster who can tap into the powers of fire, earth and light. Recognised officially as a friend of the alliance to be given safe passage by big names. If he has a vision for the horde leftovers that didn't come to Kalimdor he now has connections to help make it a reality and they'll be more than willing if it helps them too.
Already the Warsong clan that chose to join him from Arathi will definitely draw others because of his success.
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- Location
- United Kingdom
This is certainly something Grok is aware of because of his experience in Hammerfall, but there's also a question of what he's trying to do. For the moment he's confident he can knock over the Syndicate with his force, but yes he'd need help from the Alliance, or Orcish reinforcements, to do mcuh more than that.
I'm curious if he can start a schism with the shamans of the frostwolf in Alterac by suggesting adding light to shamanism. It's not fel.
- Location
- barking
speaking of the forstwolves wonder how their shamans will react to our not so friendly spirit we have
Kir the Wizard
The Sun King
- Location
- Ukraine
I'm not talking about a "Newer Horde", just that our platform of a mercenary band supported by some land/city may end up working for the Alliance, as long as they keep pointing us at the right targets.
Which spirit?
More interesting is what others want Grok to be especially those of the Alliance who made him officially a friend of the Alliance. Some of them may see him to getting more friendlier orcs. Extending on that is people like Danrothan or Prestor who maybe going for "Newer Horde or some other orcish group to control and manage those orcs or remnant horde squatting or loitering in their vicinity" because it suits their own goals that includes undercutting the one at Kalimdor and the old one lead by Rend with a new one they support.
The possibility was low but now after Naxxramas and the official recognition of Grok, some new status for him and his warband in the eyes of the Alliance will be going up higher and higher.
- Location
- barking
Myzrael,
I can understand Danrothan doing this but prestor is already working with the dark hoarde her brother
edit :though I guess it could be different tools different roles or just not trusting her brother
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Oh her. The exorcism might corrupt them in the process if their luck is bad.
With Grok she has a more reliable pawn if she desires to upgrade their relationship....... that could've been worded better.
Kir the Wizard
The Sun King
- Location
- Ukraine
Depends on what the Black Dragonflight's current plans are, with Onyxia now consolidating power in Stormwind. In canon it was plain subversion of the realm for the most part (thus supporting Blackrock incursions into the southern Redridge region), but now that they control it, things may change. Onyxia and Nefarian have a bit varied perspectives and plans, but their goals at these times should be:
a) Organizing a comfortable realm for black dragons to inhabit and multiply
b) Ironically, doing there Earth Warder duties by keeping Ragnaros in check (at least until daddy comes back all N'Zoth-y)
The latter part requires them to have some strong presence at the Blackrock Spire one way or another, so it's unlikely that Nef moves or removes what works (a beneficial partnership with Rend and co., who are easily manageable and surprisingly loyal).
The former, however, can be achieved now without subverting Stormwind into disrepair:
a) The hard path is to work on improving black dragons' reputation in Stormwind itself now that Prestor controls the kingdom, pursuing edicts that prohibit hunting dragons etc.
b) The easier path is remembering about Prestor's "claim on Alterac" and gathering Stormwind forces to clean it up and set up a dragon realm there.
How can Grok feature into those plans? With Alterac it's already discussed and mostly obvious. With Ragnaros: not much, really, the Blackrock Legions (mostly renamed Black Tooth Grin clansmen) have been with Rend since the First War.
a) Organizing a comfortable realm for black dragons to inhabit and multiply
b) Ironically, doing there Earth Warder duties by keeping Ragnaros in check (at least until daddy comes back all N'Zoth-y)
The latter part requires them to have some strong presence at the Blackrock Spire one way or another, so it's unlikely that Nef moves or removes what works (a beneficial partnership with Rend and co., who are easily manageable and surprisingly loyal).
The former, however, can be achieved now without subverting Stormwind into disrepair:
a) The hard path is to work on improving black dragons' reputation in Stormwind itself now that Prestor controls the kingdom, pursuing edicts that prohibit hunting dragons etc.
b) The easier path is remembering about Prestor's "claim on Alterac" and gathering Stormwind forces to clean it up and set up a dragon realm there.
How can Grok feature into those plans? With Alterac it's already discussed and mostly obvious. With Ragnaros: not much, really, the Blackrock Legions (mostly renamed Black Tooth Grin clansmen) have been with Rend since the First War.
- Location
- barking
well we did spot one reveal himself as a black dragon and even though sally is mute(I think this was before she got knocked out by morgraine) she could still write it down so onxyia could use that.
but I almost compelety forgot deathwings discuguise was a alterac noble during the second war. alright yeah their is more she could use us for
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- United Kingdom
Somewhat, but also keep in mind that some of their emnity is because they're territorially opposed. Ultimately both the Blacks and the Elemental Lords serve the Old Gods, and should all know it. I've deployed that a bit in this quest with Prestor being very interested in the Forneus incident for example, because Deathwing wants to create as much damage and chaos as possible when he causes the Cataclysm later on. Forneus forcing his way out of the earth helped that a lot actually, so would potentially speed up Deathwing's plans.
Kir the Wizard
The Sun King
- Location
- Ukraine
Honestly, to me N'Zoth's Cataclysm plans (along with changes to Deathwing's character) were too unsubtle in comparison with what the other Old Gods were doing (I'll say even that Y'Shaarj was more on the right track, until they threw his previously friendly supporters into the Garrosh raid, despite their charachterization of refusing to recognize Its remnants as the real Y'Shaarj, but for some reason they got enamored with some orc using pieces of Y'S as a weapon). I guess I just liked the idea of black dragons being egotistical and controlling on their own without the whole OG mind control plot (Neltharion hearing the voices in the past was enough of a setup, they shouldn't have chained the whole race to the OGs)
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- barking
are we sure that wasn't just deathwings or the twlight hammers after all with how nzoth later acts and before it seems kind of weird to see the most subtle (ctthun charged out the first moment he could and while Yogg-Saron was a bit subtle he didn't make as many plans as nzoth did) of the old gods be so reckless
Kir the Wizard
The Sun King
- Location
- Ukraine
I don't know about the later WoW, but when Cata came out it was said DW's actions were masterminded by N'Zoth, and the whole idea about black dragons being mind controlled and "pure Wrathion" started back then too. That's the only thing that explains it, too, because whatever he tries to do in Cataclysm does not mesh up with Deathwing's previous characterization or plans at all.
C'Thun was first and foremost a god for a specific species, and was portrayed as such, and prior to the opening of the gates he had set up a whole series of nests. In any case, what I mean about C'Thun is he was firstmost portrayed as a "rival alien race" kind of threat, rather than a "crazy creature that wants to blow up the world" threat.
If I ever continue my own Warcraft game, I'm definitely removing most of the new stuff about OGs working to subvert titan souls for voidwalkers, believe me.