First off, there's some story-spoiler stuff in here, so beware.
5.3 is bringing new scenarios and some sort of new progression in the plot, though we don't exactly know what form it will take. We do know that Vol'jin is leading an open rebellion against Garrosh. Thrall is going to attempt to rally the Orcs who are not under Garrosh's thumb, but at great risk to himself. Baine's also behind Vol'jin, but is holding back until he can get his people out of Orgrimmar. Lor'themar's obviously still busy with the Thunder King while Sylvanas is probably jus sitting on the sidelines to avoid putting her own forces at risk.
But that's not all: Vol'jin is coordinating with Alliance forces. While the Alliance Navy attacks by sea, he and his people will assault from the ground. Finally, the two sides are united in their shared hatred for Garrosh. Will this bring about a lasting coalition, or is this just going to be another temporary team-up?
We also find out that Shaohao did not, actually, succeed in defeating every Sha. The Sha of Pride stayed with him, and it was Pride that created the Mists of Pandaria. It also seems that Y'shaarj is not quite as dead as we had thought. Did we manage to resurrect him by defeating all seven Sha (well, will we defeat all seven?)
We also get a bit for, of all people, Moira to do. So far, the lore of the reunification of the dwarves is a plot that hasn't really been talked about. It doesn't help that Searing Gorge and Blackrock Depths still look pretty much the same as they did, but my understanding is that, canonically, even though there are certainly some treacherous members, the Dark Irons are just as much a part of the Alliance as the Wildhammers. This was, of course, reflected with the addition of Mages and Warlocks to the Dwarf options in Cataclysm, but it bears a look.
Moira has always been the most potentially thorny problem within Alliance leadership. As the "good guy" faction (a definition I've always resented, as I think it's more fun when we've got shades of grey) the Alliance tends to get along a little better, but Moira's been kind of unpredictable ever since we "liberated" her from her loving husband in Blackrock Depths (they've already come a long way from her being a joke in a Princess Leia outfit.)
Yet the story of Mists of Pandaria is very much about the Alliance pulling together while the Horde is pulled apart, and yet we've really mostly seen those effects on the Horde. The one major plot development on the Alliance side has been Jaina's abandoning of her dearly-held neutrality. We've seen Varian prove himself to be a better strategist than Tyrande, earning her respect, but not much else.
I don't know what the Moira scenario will be exactly, other than that we're fighting the Zandalari on Shimmer Ridge, of all places. I do like that Varian is entrusting Moira with a mission of some significance, and that he refers to her as "Queen Regent," which seems like a step up from being simply the Dark Iron representative to the Council of Three Hammers (what this means for Kurdran - or is it Faldred - and Muradin is unknown.)
Anyway, I doubt we're going to see too much in the way of the Alliance dealing with a fracture, because they're about to prove their might as a united front when Orgrimmar is invaded.
Of course, the greater narrative, and the one that is the most epic in scope and important in the long run is that the Horde (well, the Free Horde, under Vol'jin) and the Alliance are ganging up together again for the first time since Burning Crusade. Yet unlike previous times, the Burning Legion isn't actively invading Azeroth. We don't know exactly what Garrosh's ultimate plans are, but I imagine they're not quite as over-the-top as destroying the world entirely. Yet both sides realize that this war needs to end, and soon. The Alliance never wanted the war (with some small exceptions) but was forced to fight it to survive. The Horde didn't really want the war either, except that Garrosh became ideologically obsessed with Horde superiority and the right of conquest. Clearly things have come a long way since Blackhand, as the Horde now recognizes a tyrannical Warchief as a threat that is just as serious as the Burning Legion.
Obviously we've got a showdown with the Legion coming, and probably soon (I'm not going to call it definitively but I think it's a strong possibility for the next expansion,) but I think the dynamics of a return to uneasy peace could be great fuel for more story. I don't know if Moira's problems are going to become more apparent or get swept under the rug, and I don't know if the question of Gilneas is going to get answered (if the Horde won Alterac Valley canonically, then can the Worgen win their homeland back, please?) We don't quite know why Sylvanas is acting so crazy lately (other than an existential crisis after Arthas' death) but there is a Death Knight who is getting tortured and brainwashed and probably needs our help.
The aftermath of Garrosh is going to be a big deal, and the Horde will need to rebuild. Meanwhile, without a strong and menacing Horde, can the Alliance transition back to a (relative) state of peace? Might we see those people who were willing to back Varian now start standing up for their own interests?
And the Exodar. Ah, the Exodar. You know that it's good to fly again? The Draenei could leave right now if they wanted. That's kind of a big deal. The question is, are they ready to take the fight to the Legion once and for all? And who are they bringing with them?
No comments:
Post a Comment