Orc Quest; or, A Critical Examination of Agency Through in Interactive Fiction (Warcraft)
- Thread starter FractiousDay
- Start date
- Fantasy
- Location
- barking
I mean the night elves/theomore at the time were likely the most positive thrall was gonna get. after all janias father and mother hate orcs wait no mostly everyone hates them except a few. (doing two wars of genocide 1 cause demons 2 cause doomhammer said so tends to do that)
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MrRobot
In doubt there's always the Sun!
But night elves have no vested interest in making the horde more powerfull, the aliance have intrest in investing on gork, his presence allow orcs that would be a problem to become an asset wich means they can trow stuff at their actual problems, like the undead army and whatever else comes to them.
After thinking on the Demon sword clan because of their namesake they probably could do more like a zweihander or greatsword unit so more like pseudo blademaster but without the more advanced esoteric skills but still doable once Grok gets the materials and know how flowing.
One might be to just beat up Rend for control of Black Rock mountain.
The other is in Grok's sword that houses a fire elemental and his own affinity for fire.
Ragnaros would make an interesting boss for Grok as he totally wants to conquer the world and embrace his pyromania.
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MrRobot
In doubt there's always the Sun!
This make you dependant on hold a position, an contested position, taking the mountains would no doubt be an boon sure but havings the knowledge of allowing steel and metallurgy would make so Gork do not need the mountain at all.
- Location
- barking
heres the game plan we fight rend while we send our assassin to kill Dagran Thaurissan and blame the dark horde, we deal with ragnaros gaining the graditude of the dark iron and then mend the rift between all dwarferen kind yeah this is a long shot
- Location
- United Kingdom
Sure. Gilneas are the premier gunsmiths of the human kingdoms (though probably not of the dwarves or gnomes), and they're pretty willing to trade at the momement.
I'd note that the Blackrock do have more advanced metallurgy than the rest of the Orcs. THey can produce plate armour, but just generally speaking that's for exceptionally high status individuals, rather than for example among dwarves for whom it's probably pretty common
Also I will indeed call it for Alterac.
- Location
- barking
well time to trade with not victorian england
Quest Summary
- Location
- United Kingdom
Summary for anyone who wants to jump in halfway through rather than reading through it all.
In short, I wanted to explore the idea of agency in questing, and the problems one might experience when experiencing the freedom of the quest format, yet also being bound by the constraints of the setting.
The quest follows Grok'mash of the Burning Blade, an aspiring Blademaster of his clan. The Burning Blade are the most scholarly of Orcs, and possess the unique martial tradition of the Blademaster. Grok is a prudent, but extremely honourable Orc, much concerned with impressing his father, Chief Neeru Fireblade, elevating the status of his clan, and becoming a Blademaster.
Grok begins the quest as a capable swordsman, and leaves the Valley of Trials along with several other orcs. Grok travels to a troll village to assist the people there in their various affairs. During this time Grok attacks a Kul Tiran garrison, killing many humans with the assistance of his Mok'nathal friend, Vark. While performing well, Grok is heavily wounded in his encounter, and in the aftermath swears blood-brotherhood with Vark. Having done some training and met Rexxar, Champion of the Horde, Grok begins some investigations into different magical traditions such as Shamanism, and subsequently leaves Sen'jin Village to travel to the Orcish capital, Orgrimmar. On his way, Grok rests at Razor Hill, an Orcish settlement, employing the secret arts of his clan to capture two elemental spirits of fire and earth.
In Orgrimmar, the Warchief of the Horde, Thrall, lures Grok to his throne room, attempting to influence the young orc. However, Grok's father arrives and Grok observes the intrigues and schemes that play between the Warchief and the Burning Blade. While in Orgrimmar, Grok resumes his place in his clan, but is warned by his father that unless he proves worthy he will be exiled. Grok seeks out a teacher of Shamanism, learning about the different cultural models of the practice, as well as finding a Blademaster, Akinos Steelclaw, to teach him further. Grok is eventually tasked with the death of the treacherous warlock, Darkstorm, and leads a small warband to attack the renegades.
While nagivating his father's high standards, the cultural issues within his people and confronting the genocidal history of the Orcs, Grok travels to Dreadmist Peak to learn from the elders of his clan, as well as to combat the Kolkar centaur tribe. Grok vigourously attacks the centaurs, who eventually rally at the urging of a shadowy figure, attacking Dreadmist peak with a large army. Grok leads the defence, slaughtering hundreds of the Kolkar while buying time for the warlocks of his clan to summon a demon to destroy the rest. However, the centaur too perform a great sacrifice and summon Forneus, Duke of the Inner Earth, a great elemental who destroys the mountain and almost all in the vicinity. Finally, the shadowy figure who rallied the centaur is revealed to be Jubei'thos, a supposedly dead Blademaster who kills Akinos, only for Grok's teacher to sacrifice himself to save Grok, ordering his student to hold honour above other virtues.
In the aftermath of Dreadmist, Grok and two other survivors pursue Forneus on his march toward Orgrimmar in the aftermath of the elemental's cataclysmic emergence. Grok attempts to distract the elemental and sacrifice himself to sate it's rage, but is unsuccessful, and is knocked unconsious.
Grok awakes in his family's residence, learning that Thrall was defeated by Forneus, who in turn was defeated by Grok's father, Neeru. Grok's father proudly presents him with an ancestral blade and confirms his place as heir of the clan. However, in an attempt to reduce the growing threat of the Burning Blade, the Warchief Thrall calls Grok before him, attempting to trap and publically denounce the Burning Blade as demon-worshipers. Grok, seeing through this attempt, claims the blame for various actions including the devastation of Orgrimmar due to Forneus' assault, and is exiled by Thrall.
Grok leaves Kalimdor at the head of a reinforced warband, with his father's blessing, travelling to Lordaeron to assist the Scarlet Crusade against the undead Scourge. During this time Grok meets and assists various human notables, including Tirion Fordring, Bolvar Fordragon, Katrana Prestor and Saiden Dathrohan, as well as witnessing the marvels of the Holy Light, as weilded by the Apostle, Fairnbanks. Proving himself in battle and diplomacy, Grok is sponsored by the Crusade and independantly seizes the stronghold of Andorhal, defeating the death knight, Marduk the Black, in a duel, as well as participating in the destruction of the lich, Araj the Summoner. Grok is confirmed to have gained the rank of Blademaster by the acclaim of two Blademasters in his warband.
During the Scarlet Crusade's further preparation, Grok accepts a commission to travel to the Arathi Highlands and deal with Orcish and Ogre clans there raiding the Crusade's supply lines. Grok attempts to mediate between the Stromic kingdom and the Orcs of Hammerfall while Vark subjugating the local Boulderfist ogres in a duel. Additionally, Grok utilises elementals in his battles with the bandits of the Syndicate and binds the powerful elemental spirit, Myzrael, to his service. This, along with other choices, confirms Grok's philosophy as a 'Dark Shaman', a cultural practice more aggressive and confrontation than some others among the Horde. Grok finally leaves Arathi with a much reinforced warband, having negociated a sort of ceasefire between the orcs and humans of the area.
Grok selects a chosen few to participate in the assault on Naxxramas, including the Black Dragon, Kalaran Windblade, and the Banshee Queen, Sylvannus Windrunner, as well as two Blademasters, Vark, and some others from his warband. Taking losses, Grok fights through the Dread Citidel and confronts Alexandros Mograine and the Four Horsemen of the Scourge. In an epic duel, Grok faces the Ashbringer in battle, but is killed. A strange pure fire revives the Blademaster and Grok shatters Mograine's sword, destroying the Death Knight.
In the aftermath of Naxxramas, Grok's warband swells with local orcs seeking adventure with such a prestigious and honourable warrior, while Grok receives the acclaim of the human nobles. Grok discusses his experiences with Tirion Fordring, concluding that he has touched the Holy Light, the first Orc to ever do so. Tirion advises him to conceal this matter to avoid confusion and debate around the issue while the Sourge is still a major enemy.
In a final task in Lordaeron Grok travels through the Alterac Mountains to seek out information on the orcs of that area, and specifically to learn more of Jubei'thos and why the elder blademaster attacked him previously. While naagivating Alterac Pass, Grok visits the Frostwolf orc clan, but is villanously attacked by their chief, Drek'thar. Grok fights his way free, killing Drek'thar's son, as well as summoning Myzrael to combat Lokholar the Ice Lord, an elemental ally of the Frostwolves. Grok is victorious in battle, exiling the remaining Frostwolves, with the fate of Drek'thar currently unknown.
Grok combats the bandits of the Syndicate in Alterac, defeating their army and allying with Bishop Karlus of Varnhold. Hearing of Orcish raiders in the north, Grok finds thousands of the Demonsword clan ready to attack Varnhold, and accepts the challenge of a duel from their chief, Haomarush Demonsword. Grok defeats Haomarush in a famous duel, once more using the Light in battle, and gaining the loyalty of the Demonsword clan.
While considering his options, Grok reflects on the pitiful position of many orcs in Lordaeron, and decides to accept an offer to become Constable of Alterac, the military commander of that region. With the new Queen Prestor occupied with matters in Stormwind and her marriage to Varian Wrynn, Grok is left as the most powerful figure in the kingdom, though in the unenviable position of becoming even more involved in the intriges and high politics of the Alliance.
In short, I wanted to explore the idea of agency in questing, and the problems one might experience when experiencing the freedom of the quest format, yet also being bound by the constraints of the setting.
The quest follows Grok'mash of the Burning Blade, an aspiring Blademaster of his clan. The Burning Blade are the most scholarly of Orcs, and possess the unique martial tradition of the Blademaster. Grok is a prudent, but extremely honourable Orc, much concerned with impressing his father, Chief Neeru Fireblade, elevating the status of his clan, and becoming a Blademaster.
Grok begins the quest as a capable swordsman, and leaves the Valley of Trials along with several other orcs. Grok travels to a troll village to assist the people there in their various affairs. During this time Grok attacks a Kul Tiran garrison, killing many humans with the assistance of his Mok'nathal friend, Vark. While performing well, Grok is heavily wounded in his encounter, and in the aftermath swears blood-brotherhood with Vark. Having done some training and met Rexxar, Champion of the Horde, Grok begins some investigations into different magical traditions such as Shamanism, and subsequently leaves Sen'jin Village to travel to the Orcish capital, Orgrimmar. On his way, Grok rests at Razor Hill, an Orcish settlement, employing the secret arts of his clan to capture two elemental spirits of fire and earth.
In Orgrimmar, the Warchief of the Horde, Thrall, lures Grok to his throne room, attempting to influence the young orc. However, Grok's father arrives and Grok observes the intrigues and schemes that play between the Warchief and the Burning Blade. While in Orgrimmar, Grok resumes his place in his clan, but is warned by his father that unless he proves worthy he will be exiled. Grok seeks out a teacher of Shamanism, learning about the different cultural models of the practice, as well as finding a Blademaster, Akinos Steelclaw, to teach him further. Grok is eventually tasked with the death of the treacherous warlock, Darkstorm, and leads a small warband to attack the renegades.
While nagivating his father's high standards, the cultural issues within his people and confronting the genocidal history of the Orcs, Grok travels to Dreadmist Peak to learn from the elders of his clan, as well as to combat the Kolkar centaur tribe. Grok vigourously attacks the centaurs, who eventually rally at the urging of a shadowy figure, attacking Dreadmist peak with a large army. Grok leads the defence, slaughtering hundreds of the Kolkar while buying time for the warlocks of his clan to summon a demon to destroy the rest. However, the centaur too perform a great sacrifice and summon Forneus, Duke of the Inner Earth, a great elemental who destroys the mountain and almost all in the vicinity. Finally, the shadowy figure who rallied the centaur is revealed to be Jubei'thos, a supposedly dead Blademaster who kills Akinos, only for Grok's teacher to sacrifice himself to save Grok, ordering his student to hold honour above other virtues.
In the aftermath of Dreadmist, Grok and two other survivors pursue Forneus on his march toward Orgrimmar in the aftermath of the elemental's cataclysmic emergence. Grok attempts to distract the elemental and sacrifice himself to sate it's rage, but is unsuccessful, and is knocked unconsious.
Grok awakes in his family's residence, learning that Thrall was defeated by Forneus, who in turn was defeated by Grok's father, Neeru. Grok's father proudly presents him with an ancestral blade and confirms his place as heir of the clan. However, in an attempt to reduce the growing threat of the Burning Blade, the Warchief Thrall calls Grok before him, attempting to trap and publically denounce the Burning Blade as demon-worshipers. Grok, seeing through this attempt, claims the blame for various actions including the devastation of Orgrimmar due to Forneus' assault, and is exiled by Thrall.
Grok leaves Kalimdor at the head of a reinforced warband, with his father's blessing, travelling to Lordaeron to assist the Scarlet Crusade against the undead Scourge. During this time Grok meets and assists various human notables, including Tirion Fordring, Bolvar Fordragon, Katrana Prestor and Saiden Dathrohan, as well as witnessing the marvels of the Holy Light, as weilded by the Apostle, Fairnbanks. Proving himself in battle and diplomacy, Grok is sponsored by the Crusade and independantly seizes the stronghold of Andorhal, defeating the death knight, Marduk the Black, in a duel, as well as participating in the destruction of the lich, Araj the Summoner. Grok is confirmed to have gained the rank of Blademaster by the acclaim of two Blademasters in his warband.
During the Scarlet Crusade's further preparation, Grok accepts a commission to travel to the Arathi Highlands and deal with Orcish and Ogre clans there raiding the Crusade's supply lines. Grok attempts to mediate between the Stromic kingdom and the Orcs of Hammerfall while Vark subjugating the local Boulderfist ogres in a duel. Additionally, Grok utilises elementals in his battles with the bandits of the Syndicate and binds the powerful elemental spirit, Myzrael, to his service. This, along with other choices, confirms Grok's philosophy as a 'Dark Shaman', a cultural practice more aggressive and confrontation than some others among the Horde. Grok finally leaves Arathi with a much reinforced warband, having negociated a sort of ceasefire between the orcs and humans of the area.
Grok selects a chosen few to participate in the assault on Naxxramas, including the Black Dragon, Kalaran Windblade, and the Banshee Queen, Sylvannus Windrunner, as well as two Blademasters, Vark, and some others from his warband. Taking losses, Grok fights through the Dread Citidel and confronts Alexandros Mograine and the Four Horsemen of the Scourge. In an epic duel, Grok faces the Ashbringer in battle, but is killed. A strange pure fire revives the Blademaster and Grok shatters Mograine's sword, destroying the Death Knight.
In the aftermath of Naxxramas, Grok's warband swells with local orcs seeking adventure with such a prestigious and honourable warrior, while Grok receives the acclaim of the human nobles. Grok discusses his experiences with Tirion Fordring, concluding that he has touched the Holy Light, the first Orc to ever do so. Tirion advises him to conceal this matter to avoid confusion and debate around the issue while the Sourge is still a major enemy.
In a final task in Lordaeron Grok travels through the Alterac Mountains to seek out information on the orcs of that area, and specifically to learn more of Jubei'thos and why the elder blademaster attacked him previously. While naagivating Alterac Pass, Grok visits the Frostwolf orc clan, but is villanously attacked by their chief, Drek'thar. Grok fights his way free, killing Drek'thar's son, as well as summoning Myzrael to combat Lokholar the Ice Lord, an elemental ally of the Frostwolves. Grok is victorious in battle, exiling the remaining Frostwolves, with the fate of Drek'thar currently unknown.
Grok combats the bandits of the Syndicate in Alterac, defeating their army and allying with Bishop Karlus of Varnhold. Hearing of Orcish raiders in the north, Grok finds thousands of the Demonsword clan ready to attack Varnhold, and accepts the challenge of a duel from their chief, Haomarush Demonsword. Grok defeats Haomarush in a famous duel, once more using the Light in battle, and gaining the loyalty of the Demonsword clan.
While considering his options, Grok reflects on the pitiful position of many orcs in Lordaeron, and decides to accept an offer to become Constable of Alterac, the military commander of that region. With the new Queen Prestor occupied with matters in Stormwind and her marriage to Varian Wrynn, Grok is left as the most powerful figure in the kingdom, though in the unenviable position of becoming even more involved in the intriges and high politics of the Alliance.
- Location
- barking
you know I think we should pick a new name for the horde if we take it over you know to tell everyone we disapprove of everything to do with it instead of the tradition of adding something before it we have the horde, the dark horde (what does rend call the normal horde), the fel horde, the true horde and then the iron horde
and if we don't lets not call ourselves a horde
and if we don't lets not call ourselves a horde
- Location
- France
Or we could make orc legionaries, big orcs with heavy armor and big shield, disciplined and with javelins the size of regular spears for throwing and axes or saber to chop things. Orc aren't the most refined or agile people but they are strong and resilient, better to play on their strengths.
MrRobot
In doubt there's always the Sun!
We are not playing as Traal or Rend.
- Location
- barking
kargath doesn't matter enough to even be mentioned lol
MrRobot
In doubt there's always the Sun!
Nah i just mot that knowledgeble in warcraft.
But yeah gork becomes annoying for any horde because everyone is too big on "the one tre way" falacy.
- Location
- barking
just a little thought process on the weakness of the 3 current warchiefs at this time
thrall its his indecisiveness like he distrusts the warlocks and even in cannon he leaves the burning blade around when they already prove untrustworthy garrosh has to hang feldad (since thrall already knew feldad was a traitor in cannon.) and he made a base in the desert and keeps fighting the night elves for lumber.
rend who is cunning and underhanded (while his brother was the muscle before he died) but either is a willing or unwilling puppet of neferian (not that our char knows this of course since to the outside it just looks like they are allies) and his forces are in a war aganist the dark iron for control of the mountain while stormwind wants his forces gone
and for kargath his problem is he is the old horde he is one of the original leaders (so he embodies its problems, along with the other main members) and even says that everyone who was to sick to fight should be killed (and he is a sadist who enjoys hurting others and might have even less lack of control then he did originally cause he is a fel orc now)
might as well add for us its his trusting nature and want to help others
thrall its his indecisiveness like he distrusts the warlocks and even in cannon he leaves the burning blade around when they already prove untrustworthy garrosh has to hang feldad (since thrall already knew feldad was a traitor in cannon.) and he made a base in the desert and keeps fighting the night elves for lumber.
rend who is cunning and underhanded (while his brother was the muscle before he died) but either is a willing or unwilling puppet of neferian (not that our char knows this of course since to the outside it just looks like they are allies) and his forces are in a war aganist the dark iron for control of the mountain while stormwind wants his forces gone
and for kargath his problem is he is the old horde he is one of the original leaders (so he embodies its problems, along with the other main members) and even says that everyone who was to sick to fight should be killed (and he is a sadist who enjoys hurting others and might have even less lack of control then he did originally cause he is a fel orc now)
might as well add for us its his trusting nature and want to help others
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He'll go there when it's time to unite the orcs of the east when he's warchief in all but name.
The mountain is going to be one treasure trove if he beats all the odds. Dark horde, black dragons, dark irons and the fire elementals including their boss.
Feldad would be proud if his son beats Ragnaros.
The Enclave?
In the Scarlet's case I'd say they're going for a Scarlet Empire but without the WHF Empire/Holy Roman Empire way.
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MrRobot
In doubt there's always the Sun!
More in the dictionary definition that the Fallout meme definition, but is a good start if we have many orc tribes under us.
It's what I can think of in terms of the compromise between a name sounding too tribal with Tribes (shazbot ring a bell?) and too civilizationally with er Protectorate.
Empire's not yet at the stage to be one when Grok isn't Sigmar....yet.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
If you need a name, sometimes simplicity settles it. The Eastern Horde?
That will be for later though. In the meantime it could be... nothing because all the political power is held by the totally-not-a-dragon Lady Prestor.
But if we needed an intermediate name... "confederation" is too close to "confederacy", which does not sound good because it would require implementing slavery and cotton plantations
. And it would seem like the "Confederation of independent systems".
"Alliance" is already taken. But "League of Alterac" or "Federation of Alterac" are still open.
Actually, I like League of Alterac. British/US people that know betterthe human trade tongue English may bring other suggestions
That will be for later though. In the meantime it could be... nothing because all the political power is held by the totally-not-a-dragon Lady Prestor.
But if we needed an intermediate name... "confederation" is too close to "confederacy", which does not sound good because it would require implementing slavery and cotton plantations
. And it would seem like the "Confederation of independent systems"."Alliance" is already taken. But "League of Alterac" or "Federation of Alterac" are still open.
Actually, I like League of Alterac. British/US people that know better
- Location
- France
But if we needed an intermediate name... "confederation" is too close to "confederacy", which does not sound good because it would require implementing slavery and cotton plantations
I'm sorry but I'm really baffled by this reasoning
. There have been other confederations than the Confederacy you know.I like League too it makes me think of greek city-states who created leagues of differents cities to face a menace.
- Location
- barking
anyname is better then horde their are far to many running around and all of them link back to blackhands bloody legacy
thrall does that by refusing to acknoledge that the orks while tricked into their attack on the drenai damned themselves out lust for glory (blackhand and grom and even turns groms final actions into something they weren't since he said grom freed them all but that wasn't why grom did it grom did it free himself and hopefully earn the trust thrall put in him)
rend and main wanted to live up to their fathers legacy d(also maybe a bit of a reach but I feel rend became a willing puppet when his brother died cause the one person who was always with him died and then he had no one cause I cant see rend having positive feelings on his father after all he doesn't try to kill doomhammer for killing him and blackhand did show he was willing to kill his kids since he ordered the death of his daugther.) cause in his mind it was now his
Kargath is the obvs one since he was the old horde leadership
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