New short story not so new?

[Klasis]

This short story has been out for many months now as seen on this site. http://www.wowwiki.com/Lor%27themar_...dow_of_the_Sun

I Was expecting something new, but I have seen this since last year.

[BloodGutter]

yeah this is a fanfic that won a Blizzcon writing contest used years ago.

like I commented on the page, it's nice to read written stories, but the NPC in game barely reflects any of this. this could have easily been an optional quest chain in game to escort him around these meetings and such.

granted it's outdated since this is set pre-WotLK, but all he has done since then is sit in Silvermoon and gotten an updated model. pretty sad state for a faction leader.

[Deleted]

Yes it was, I even made a topic back when last leader was released about it and some said they'll probably release a new one since this one is set before Wrath and all the other stories were set before and during Cataclysm. Seems not. This makes me wonder if the draenei story will be set during before Wrath as well or even during BC as they've truly been forgatten as well.

[Falrinn]

Yeah the basic story is the same, but there have been a few modifications.

Most are just subtle changes in dialogue ("Silvermoon" tabard instead of "Sunstrider" tabard). But there are a couple of major points as well.

One of them explains that Kael prior to his departure to Outland decreed that his father would be the last King of Sivermoon. Hence why he retained the title of Prince even after the fall of Silvermoon, and why Lor'themar never crowned himself. With no one alive with a legitimate claim to the throne, the Kingdom of Quel'thalas is now ruled by a permanent regency.

Another is a much greater emphasis on the fact that the Blood Elves are less then willing allies to the Horde. The fact they choose to amplify this conflict rather tone it down from what we saw in the original story tells me that the Blood Elves aren't nearly as loyal to the Forsaken as they appear.


Now for some speculation.

I think Blizzard might be alluding to a much greater falling out between the Blood Elves and the Forsaken in the near future. Now of course neither faction can leave the Horde outright, but I could see the Blood Elves becoming closer with other races within the Horde. For example should Vol'jin ever make a move for either leadership of the Horde or just greater authority to act as he sees fit, I could easily see the Blood Elves backing him up in hopes of gaining more autonomy within the Horde themselves.

[Scummer]

It was a massive disappointment for me and quite shameful of Blizzard if you ask me.
The story has been out for years and shows a lack of creativity or effort on their part, I waited 2 months for the new story and we get one that's been out for years and to make matter worse isn't set in Cataclysm. I expected much better for them.As much as I dislike Belves, I feel sorry for their fan base for having some of the worst lore as of late. They had a very engaging story in WC3 and then were never heard from again.

On a side note, I guess it does shed some light on the Belves becoming more neutral with the High Elves and perhaps having some change sides as it were that has been on the forums recently. As I said before, the story only reinforces my belief that the Belves would leave the Horde if they weren't a playable race.

I hope the Velen one is better. From what the name of the story indicates, it's going to be him teaching Anduin about the light i would assume.

[Klasis]

Worst part is I asked a GM a while back if the "In the shadow of the son" on Wowwiki will just be the leader short story for lorthemar, and he said no that they would probably have something new >.>

[Falrinn]

Worst part is I asked a GM a while back if the "In the shadow of the son" on Wowwiki will just be the leader short story for lorthemar, and he said no that they would probably have something new >.>

GM's are notoriously unreliable for information like that. They don't work with the developers directly except perhaps on dry technical matters (half the US ones don't even work in Irvine), and I'm sure when they are privy to internal information they aren't allowed to share it.

The leader short story has said "In the Shadow of the Sun" since the page was created almost a year ago. If you were expecting anything other then a version of that story you were setting yourself up for disappointment.


My guess is we'll be seeing Velen's story in the next few weeks. Blizzard probably didn't want Lorthemar's story to be last precisely because it has very little new information (due to the modifications the story had, there are a few new tidbits of info nonetheless).

[Klasis]

GM's are notoriously unreliable for information like that. They don't work with the developers directly except perhaps on dry technical matters (half the US ones don't even work in Irvine), and I'm sure when they are privy to internal information they aren't allowed to share it.

The leader short story has said "In the Shadow of the Sun" since the page was created almost a year ago. If you were expecting anything other then a version of that story you were setting yourself up for disappointment.


My guess is we'll be seeing Velen's story in the next few weeks. Blizzard probably didn't want Lorthemar's story to be last precisely because it has very little new information (due to the modifications the story had, there are a few new tidbits of info nonetheless).

Oh I figured it would be a disappointment, but I still think it would be nice if we got something more current. Wotlk is in the past... The elves only had the reliquery in Cataclysm. I was hoping that their lore would be expanded some more. I am curious as to how their population is doing at the moment. Are they in danger of going extinct? Or are things going well for them.

[Zaelsino]

Another is a much greater emphasis on the fact that the Blood Elves are less then willing allies to the Horde. The fact they choose to amplify this conflict rather tone it down from what we saw in the original story tells me that the Blood Elves aren't nearly as loyal to the Forsaken as they appear.

Meh, I got the opposite impression. In the original version Rommath made quite a point of being "forced into a pact" with the Horde, whereas here it was toned down to a nice "we sought to join the Horde." The Forsaken-blood elf relations were definitely played up though; I can quite easily see a bigger rift forming there, especially with Sylvie heading into complete monster territory.

[Falrinn]

Oh I figured it would be a disappointment, but I still think it would be nice if we got something more current. Wotlk is in the past... The elves only had the reliquery in Cataclysm. I was hoping that their lore would be expanded some more. I am curious as to how their population is doing at the moment. Are they in danger of going extinct? Or are things going well for them.

The point I'm making is that any story that took place in the Cataclysm timeline wouldn't be "In the Shadow of the Sun" at all and would never of been listed as such on the Leader Story page. Hence, by expecting something other then "In the Shadow of the Sun", you were setting yourself up for a disappointment, regardless of your overall opinion of Blizzard's writing ability.

[Klasis]

The point I'm making is that any story that took place in the Cataclysm timeline wouldn't be "In the Shadow of the Sun" at all and would never of been listed as such on the Leader Story page. Hence, by expecting something other then "In the Shadow of the Sun", you were setting yourself up for a disappointment, regardless of your overall opinion of Blizzard's writing ability.

By replying to you the first time I acknowledged that you did make a good point. If you did not then I would not have replied to you to be honest. All I am saying is it would be nice for something more current.

---------- Post added 2012-01-28 at 11:55 AM ----------

Meh, I got the opposite impression. In the original version Rommath made quite a point of being "forced into a pact" with the Horde, whereas here it was toned down to a nice "we sought to join the Horde." The Forsaken-blood elf relations were definitely played up though; I can quite easily see a bigger rift forming there, especially with Sylvie heading into complete monster territory.

I hope sylvanas doesnt enter that territory. She is a great faction leader, but I won't rule out the possibility that that might happen.

[Silver-Fox]

I noticed the changes made between the two versions of the literature, the original that won the global creative writing contest and this piece released as Lor'themar's formal leader short story and was not disappointed by the changes or lack there of.

I felt there was more emphasis on Lor'themar obviously but the original felt that Haldruon and Rommath played a bigger role than what was conveyed in this piece. I too also felt there was a bolder tone when describing Lor'themar's reluctance to be apart of the Horde and allied with the Forsaken.

Still the overall theme was retained in my eyes. I enjoyed the read very much and wish his in-game counterpart would be represented. Also nice they remembered his missing eye this time around. Hopefully, us blood elves will receive, a more active and present Lor'themar in the future. Though this story does back up my theory that one excuse Lor'themar isn't on the front lines more is he is busy rebuilding Quel'thalas.

Also did anyone else feel like the art work was "unfinished"? It looks like they forgot to color in the rest of his armor around his chest and lower shoulders as well as the sword between his hands.

[Klasis]

I noticed the changes made between the two versions of the literature, the original that won the global creative writing contest and this piece released as Lor'themar's formal leader short story and was not disappointed by the changes or lack there of.

I felt there was more emphasis on Lor'themar obviously but the original felt that Haldruon and Rommath played a bigger role than what was conveyed in this piece. I too also felt there was a bolder tone when describing Lor'themar's reluctance to be apart of the Horde and allied with the Forsaken.

Still the overall theme was retained in my eyes. I enjoyed the read very much and wish his in-game counterpart would be represented. Also nice they remembered his missing eye this time around. Hopefully, us blood elves will receive, a more active and present Lor'themar in the future. Though this story does back up my theory that one excuse Lor'themar isn't on the front lines more is he is busy rebuilding Quel'thalas.

Also did anyone else feel like the art work was "unfinished"? It looks like forgot to color in the rest of his armor around his chest and lower shoulders as well as the sword between his hands.

I will have to go back and look at the artwork to confirm.

[xskarma]

Well, reasonable enough story, I hadn't read it yet, but thoroughly disappointed that it's about old content and issues. Theron comes of as a just someone weak that follows along with the strongest currents instead of fighting for something he believes in. They could have, given the fact the story is old, shown him bouncing back from this story and make more of an effort maybe have him state some goals or something, at least show the Belfs as recovering and helping out in the cataclysm and setting up the Reliquary. Something, anything really.

Fact is we learn nothing new about Theron, and basically Blizz states this way that nothing important has happened since to change the fact he's a puppet mastered by whoever has the most power over him at that time. He'll feel bad about it though, really outspokenly feel bad :P I think not giving him a new story makes him even weaker than he allready was, and Blizz will now have an even greater problem getting him back in a decent story.

Every leader a story to show more about them, yeah right.

[Zaelsino]

Also did anyone else feel like the art work was "unfinished"? It looks like forgot to color in the rest of his armor around his chest and lower shoulders as well as the sword between his hands.

Hard to tell. I think it's the best artwork so far in the faction leader tales series, but I'm a little biased... and there's only Velen to go.

Shame Rommath and Brightwing didn't get some art too, though.

[GennGreymane]

pretty much reflects his entire lore

[Trassk]

You know whats funny. Of late people have had a lot of say about blizzards lack of performance in the game, its gameplay, its story and more besides. At a time like this, you would think they would actully try more, that they'd actully hire better writers, work more on gameplay, and not give these negative setbacks more wood to burn..
Seems like a mistake.

[Klasis]

You know whats funny. Of late people have had a lot of say about blizzards lack of performance in the game, its gameplay, its story and more besides. At a time like this, you would think they would actully try more, that they'd actully hire better writers, work more on gameplay, and not give these negative setbacks more wood to burn..
Seems like a mistake.

I would consider it a mistake. While it is in fact a good piece of work... its been out for a long time.

[Silver-Fox]

Hard to tell. I think it's the best artwork so far in the faction leader tales series, but I'm a little biased... and there's only Velen to go.

Shame Rommath and Brightwing didn't get some art too, though.

Don't get me wrong I adore the artwork too, the best thus far in my opinion regarding the depiction of the Faction Leaders. I just felt that the silver areas of his armor were meant to be gold.

I love the art regardless. Conveys a sense of Lor'themar's conviction tempered over the years. Does the character much needed justice.

[Doombringer]

The crime here is that this story has been out for years now. It's an enjoyable story, truly -- when I read it, I thought, "this author is talented, and this is a great read." However, it's also nothing new this time around. It's shameful to "recycle" this story from years passed and present it as his Faction Leader story today.

Lor'themar deserves better, and has deserved better since he made his appearance in TBC. Unfortunately, the "Story Team" and Blizzard apparently has no idea what to do with him -- it required a fan-fic writer, as part of a contest, to show them how it's done... and hilariously enough, years later, they present that same material as something "fresh." Hah.