Sylvanas at Stormwind, Darmok at Tenagra...

[Deleted]

Sorry. Just felt like it could use a meme in the title.

So yeah! Sylvanas is planning to head to Stormwind for the "Battle we've longed for." as she told Nathanos Morris. So what battle is it?

I've said, before, I hope it's a manipulation of Anduin and the Alliance to secure Genn or get the war started without jeopardizing her tenuous position with the Horde, but what other battles could she have, there, and what would be the consequences of them?

1) An attack on Stormwind itself. This one is the one most people assume primarily for the assumption that she wants more corpses to make into Forsaken. However, Saurfang, Baine, and Lor'themar would never go along with this plan, especially since the Horde is diminished in the wake of the events of Cataclysm, Pandaria, and Legion. They'd be more likely to rebel against her, or disband the Horde and take command of their own forces. It also doesn't really fit her character, since it's essentially a suicide run and ever since she jumped off ICC she's pretty much done with the whole "Being Dead" thing.

2) An attempt at Peace. She knows Anduin would be down for a peace treaty and all she'd have to do is offer her hand before he'd probably shake it 'til it comes off. Or, at least, he would have during Mists. It's been a while and with the death of his father, supposedly because of Sylvanas, he might be a little reluctant to shake -her- hand. It could be her last "Battle" with the other members of the Horde, convincing them to accept peace, instead of a physical engagement, or a metaphorical legal battle over the terms of the Armistice itself. An earnest attempt at peace would be a neat change of pace and if Genn was present he'd probably try to kill Sylvie during the Peace Summit, which would probably be enough to start the war back up.

3) Some sort of Sneak Attack into a hidden Vault containing the MacGuffin of Undead Immortality and Possible Cure to Undeath. It would have no buildup or previous history, but that's never stopped the Creative Team, before! She could be using her forces to distract the Alliance while she sends Blightcaller and others down into the city's depths to go get the MacGuffin... but, again, this is essentially suicide. Saurfang wouldn't accept the waste of Orcish lives in the hopes of securing a potion of immortality, and Baine wouldn't sacrifice his own people for the same reason. Lor'themar -might-, if only because it'd be amazing magic to study that might give the Belves immortality.

Of these three, I think 2 is most likely. But what reasons do you guys, gals, and individuals of various and indeterminate genders think would have Sylvanas head to Stormwind? It'll be a few months before we get to read the book and find out the truth.

His arms wide! Fists open!

[Steampunkette]

His arms wide! Fists open!

Sokath! His eyes OPEN!

[Domcho]

Well, we don't know why she wants to go to Stormwind, but if her purpose is destruction, what if she sees she is unable to achieve that, and decides to go for Teldrassil instead? "Look, we don't have enough resources to make it to Stormwind and conquer it. So just tell Mankrik his wife is in Teldrassil and give him a flamethrower." It's a possibility.

Although, speaking of Teldrassil, in the end, I highly doubt the burning of the world tree will be a purposeful act of aggression, but rather a justifiable act of necessity, maybe even for both factions. Like people speculating it was old gods stuff and Sylvanas doing the world a favor by burning it. Or it could be an accident. Because, otherwise, nobody of the Horde racial leaders will support her. Random aggression out of nowhere and going as far as burning a world tree will be too much for Baine and Saurfang to go with. And we see Saurfang fighting in the battle for (the ruins of) Lordaeron next to Sylvanas so...

I just hope Christie Golden and the people on the story team come up with something mind blowing that has nothing to do with what we came up so far. I just don't want it to be something stupid and utterly contradicting and / or be another boring cliche.

[Polybius]

These responses... no wonder I hate alliance players. "No being a worthless cry baby is unique!" "Even though no alliance leader except gen wants to kill people that's too many!" "We need pure bitch boys! Manning up and becoming shadow is wrong!"

Yeah going to go camp some alliance in Argus. You people disgust me.

What a well-formed response. Wishing a character to make a 180 on their development and bastardize all the groundwork laid out. Then insulting others, and failing to attach our names and directly respond, because you can't take any criticism -- this is a YOU problem.

Who is the crying bitch boy again? That signature is just the sweet cherry on top.

[Tyrathius]

White Flag it.

By approaching under a flag of truce, she can approach to talk terms (one way or another) with her army on stand-by as a visual reminder of the danger of denying her. She'd still have to walk away under the white flag, rather than starting a war right that moment, but y'know... it'd be possible.

Realistically, nobody would let a hostile army walk straight past all of their defenses just because they were waving a white flag around. If talking things out didn't work and you ended up having to fight, all of those defenses would be worthless and your enemy would be in a perfect position to do a lot of damage. What would probably happen is Anduin would either agree to meet her in a neutral location with both of their forces present, or Sylvanas would have to leave the bulk of her army behind and visit Stormwind with only a personal escort (which would basically be a show of faith that left her extremely exposed if the Alliance decided to try something, something someone like Sylvanas would probably never do).

Now I say realistically because Blizzard does have a tendency of ignoring common sense when it suits the plot.

[Caerule]

Wow, this thread is just going to end up people arguing about characters, sometimes interrupted by memes.

As for the topic at hand:

The chapter we were shown is clearly in the very beginning of the book. Sylvanas' portrayal is excellent. She embodies all the questionable things we know about her. She is dictatorial, hates scrutiny, cares only for her own people, only does the right thing when convinced by logic, and desires conquest over her enemies.

So much of her flaws made clear in one short chapter at the beginning of her book means one thing: A ton of character development and evolution is about to happen. I have no doubt things are about to transpire that will change Sylvanas to become a better person. The person we see in the cinematic of BfA, that can inspire her people, even Saurfang her strong critic, with the sincerity of her rallying cry. For the Horde.

A lot is about to happen for Sylvanas. We know the beginning. We know the end. I can't wait to see the middle.

As for the destruction of major cities: I believe she intends to take Stormwind by force, indeed. But I don't think Teldrassil will burn for the same purposes. In the end, the actions the Horde and Alliance succeed at, need to be morally ambiguous. The Horde isn't going to allow evil at the helm again. There need to be ways to justify their actions, besides "lol, elves on fire". It's also pretty clear by Saurfang's presence in the Teldrassil art, that this isn't another Theramore. He would never back Sylvanas, were she a second Garrosh.

[Maarius]

we know this picture



We see

• it's after a huge battle
• Horde ships
• Sylvanas, Nathanos(?), Varok Saurfang(?)
• a defeated Alleria(??)
• Teldrassil not burning yet

after:

• Sylvanas alone, different stance - surprised?
• Elf (Alleria?) dead/watching?
• ships about in the same position, one ship gone

I wonder what the absence of the other characters means.






no arrows in the back anymore, alive(?)

[Paula Deen]

Orgrimmar when the warchief fell....

[SilverCoin]

we know this picture



We see

• it's after a huge battle
• Horde ships
• Sylvanas, Nathanos(?), Varok Saurfang(?)
• a defeated Alleria(??)
• Teldrassil not burning yet

after:

• Sylvanas alone, different stance - surprised?
• Elf (Alleria?) dead/watching?
• ships about in the same position, one ship gone

I wonder what the absence of the other characters means.

I think that´s Vereesa not Alleria.

So Windrunner War?

- - - Updated - - -

Gosh I hope we see the battle in game or in a good cinematic

[Hubbl3]

I think that´s Vereesa not Alleria.

So Windrunner War?

- - - Updated - - -

Gosh I hope we see the battle in game or in a good cinematic

She is clearly just chilling there, enjoying the tree burning. Sylvi/Vereesa reunion within the Horde confirmed.

[Maarius]

I think that´s Vereesa not Alleria.

So Windrunner War?

- - - Updated - - -

Gosh I hope we see the battle in game or in a good cinematic

I think so too, they wouldn't kill the new allied race leader before the expansion. I don't think Vereesa was wounded in a duel, as there are many arrows in her back. I also don't think Sylvanas is happy about that outcome.

Looks like Vereesa was put in a comfortable position... as stupid as this sounds

- - - Updated - - -

She is clearly just chilling there, enjoying the tree burning.

after being gravely wounded? lol no

[Hubbl3]

after being gravely wounded? lol no

Just rezz her, problem solved. Preferably as undead.

[Lesane]

Anduin is hands down the most disappointing character in wow history. As a priest, he had potential to have a great story arc. He could have gone from bright eyed holy, to getting some damn character progression by snapping and going full shadow and psychotically anti horde. This could have happened at many points, but best of all could have been after the death of his father. But nope, cry baby bitch boy Anduin is all we get. I want there to be at least one alliance leader that I can say is awesome. Then again, horde side we've only got Sylvanas left.

That would pretty much be a carbon copy of Jaina's storyline.

Genn is an awesome leader and gets you the Horde hatred fix you need. That's the nice thing about Alliance, even though Anduin is its leader he's sort of co-leading it with Genn. With the Horde it's just Sylvanas.

[Steampunkette]

Realistically, nobody would let a hostile army walk straight past all of their defenses just because they were waving a white flag around. If talking things out didn't work and you ended up having to fight, all of those defenses would be worthless and your enemy would be in a perfect position to do a lot of damage. What would probably happen is Anduin would either agree to meet her in a neutral location with both of their forces present, or Sylvanas would have to leave the bulk of her army behind and visit Stormwind with only a personal escort (which would basically be a show of faith that left her extremely exposed if the Alliance decided to try something, something someone like Sylvanas would probably never do).

Now I say realistically because Blizzard does have a tendency of ignoring common sense when it suits the plot.

Oh, I'm not suggesting the army would be allowed past the gates of Stormwind. The Army would be outside while Sylvanas and a few personal guards went in, as is standard practice in such an instance. But the army would march through points south of Lordaeron, holding the flag of truce the whole way. And by Small to Moderate Army I'm talking 300-700 soldiers, not the entire Horde Army girded for war and dragging Siege Engines to the gates. Probably -mostly- Orcs, Trolls, and Tauren? Maybe 50-60 Forsaken Archers. Some Goblin Rifle Teams. But the rest all warriors and shaman.

[Steampunkette]

No... Genn is doing is own thing and says fuck you to everyone else and bitch boy follows and maybe mutters to himself about love and piece while showing weakness by literally crying.

And to the others that say "showing emotion isn't a weakness" that's literally what fucking crying is, it's showing others you're in a place of distress and you need help.

If you're in danger and your response is to sit down and cry, or your action is needed and your response is to sit down and cry, then you're showing weakness.

If you complete the task at hand, and then let the tears flow, and let the emotions involved wash over you, grief or pain or otherwise, you're showing you've got the strength of self to push through, but not enough to feel, fully, as you complete the task. You have to push the emotions aside and then let them come, later. It at the very least shows emotional maturity rather than childish pretense that emotion doesn't exist.

If you're crying while STILL DOING WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE you're showing that through distress, pain, and hardship you're still pressing on. Though you're terrified or broken or filled with spiteful rage you're still acting. That's strength of will, of character, and of self.

That you can't see the difference tells us more about you than I think you realize.

[Ealyssa]

He could have gone from bright eyed holy, to getting some damn character progression by snapping and going full shadow and psychotically anti horde.

That would be textbook awful writing. Thanks for the laugh.

[Lochton]

Anduin is hands down the most disappointing character in wow history. As a priest, he had potential to have a great story arc. He could have gone from bright eyed holy, to getting some damn character progression by snapping and going full shadow and psychotically anti horde. This could have happened at many points, but best of all could have been after the death of his father. But nope, cry baby bitch boy Anduin is all we get. I want there to be at least one alliance leader that I can say is awesome. Then again, horde side we've only got Sylvanas left.

Ugh, that card is so over used, already happened multiple times, good gone bad.

[Raetary]

snip

allerias armor is green, not blue.
and she's well and alive in the stormwind embassy getting the void elves into the alliance.

the destruction of the tree happened before the battle for undercity.

[jstnw89]

Anduin is hands down the most disappointing character in wow history. As a priest, he had potential to have a great story arc. He could have gone from bright eyed holy, to getting some damn character progression by snapping and going full shadow and psychotically anti horde. This could have happened at many points, but best of all could have been after the death of his father. But nope, cry baby bitch boy Anduin is all we get. I want there to be at least one alliance leader that I can say is awesome. Then again, horde side we've only got Sylvanas left.

That would be boring as shit and played out as all hell.. wtf

[Deleted]

Sorry. Just felt like it could use a meme in the title.

So yeah! Sylvanas is planning to head to Stormwind for the "Battle we've longed for." as she told Nathanos Morris. So what battle is it?

I've said, before, I hope it's a manipulation of Anduin and the Alliance to secure Genn or get the war started without jeopardizing her tenuous position with the Horde, but what other battles could she have, there, and what would be the consequences of them?

1) An attack on Stormwind itself. This one is the one most people assume primarily for the assumption that she wants more corpses to make into Forsaken. However, Saurfang, Baine, and Lor'themar would never go along with this plan, especially since the Horde is diminished in the wake of the events of Cataclysm, Pandaria, and Legion. They'd be more likely to rebel against her, or disband the Horde and take command of their own forces. It also doesn't really fit her character, since it's essentially a suicide run and ever since she jumped off ICC she's pretty much done with the whole "Being Dead" thing.

2) An attempt at Peace. She knows Anduin would be down for a peace treaty and all she'd have to do is offer her hand before he'd probably shake it 'til it comes off. Or, at least, he would have during Mists. It's been a while and with the death of his father, supposedly because of Sylvanas, he might be a little reluctant to shake -her- hand. It could be her last "Battle" with the other members of the Horde, convincing them to accept peace, instead of a physical engagement, or a metaphorical legal battle over the terms of the Armistice itself. An earnest attempt at peace would be a neat change of pace and if Genn was present he'd probably try to kill Sylvie during the Peace Summit, which would probably be enough to start the war back up.

3) Some sort of Sneak Attack into a hidden Vault containing the MacGuffin of Undead Immortality and Possible Cure to Undeath. It would have no buildup or previous history, but that's never stopped the Creative Team, before! She could be using her forces to distract the Alliance while she sends Blightcaller and others down into the city's depths to go get the MacGuffin... but, again, this is essentially suicide. Saurfang wouldn't accept the waste of Orcish lives in the hopes of securing a potion of immortality, and Baine wouldn't sacrifice his own people for the same reason. Lor'themar -might-, if only because it'd be amazing magic to study that might give the Belves immortality.

Of these three, I think 2 is most likely. But what reasons do you guys, gals, and individuals of various and indeterminate genders think would have Sylvanas head to Stormwind? It'll be a few months before we get to read the book and find out the truth.

dunno how it goes down but judging by the bfa trailer i dont think it went to well for her.