Sorry in advance for the wall of text, hopefully you can take some time out of your day to read it all.
In the past few weeks there has been a great deal of discussion regarding the possibility of sub-races and bonus character customization options for players. Options, such as the ones mocked up in my thread here would not only provide a great deal of depth to characters for those players who participate in RP, but a great deal of customization features that would multiply the visual uniqueness of a player character.
Below are some examples of race specific solo scenarios that would provide players with an exciting way to earn cool visual features. Maybe some of them can even unlock and replace your old racial abilities. People always say that WoW lacks the immersion factors that come with playing a certain race compared to other RPG’s, and introducing features like these which are totally unique to a certain race would go a long way. Hell, even showboating these as max-level Hero Races or something might be something that would help regain old subscribers.
The RP implications and coolness factors on the game would be huge. Now, it would be totally possible to play as a Dark Ranger, Viking Warrior and even as a Demon Hunter, without having to introduce those concepts as Classes in an already Class bloated game.
Human - Ancestral Heritage
The quest Anguish of Nifflevar states that vrykul children born in a certain time after their gods "abandoned" them, approximately 15,000 years ago, were "weak and ugly". King Ymiron ordered all those children to be killed, but events observed in the preceding quest The Echo of Ymiron imply that not all of the parents obeyed this command, instead hiding their children in order for them to grow up far away from Northrend. This evinces that vrykul are the progenitors of humans, which is also stated by Thoralius the Wise - "There is no extinct "missing link" to humans as the Explorers' League proposed. The vrykul are the missing link. They are the progenitors of humanity". - WoWPedia
Since the discovery of this knowledge during the Alliance’s Campaign in Northrend, Human historians have been working tirelessly to uncover the secrets behind their own origin. With the Cataclysm tearing the world asunder, recent archaeological evidence of great value has been unearthed in the Arathi Highlands, detailing the history of the ancient Arathorian Empire, and their conflict with the neighboring Amani Trolls. Now, with the help of the Timewalkers, Human players can now travel back through time and fight alongside King Thoradin and their ancient ancestors in the Troll War.
Unlocks: Vrykul Inspired Customization Features for Humans.
Dwarf - Union of Three Hammers
Following the events of the Blood in the Snow Scenario, in which Moira Thaurissian and her Dark Iron Dwarves aided King Varian Wrynn in striking down the Frostmane threat in Dun Morogh, and the Wildhammer’s assistance in the Twilight Highlands, both Clans have been officially recognized as honorary members of the Alliance.
However, amidst the celebrations, Troggs from deep within Old Ironforge rise to the surface and Dwarf players must once again defend Ironforge from an ancient threat, only this time, alongside all the Dwarf clans united.
Unlocks: Dark Iron and Wildhammer Skins and Features for Dwarves.
Night Elf - The Dark Embrace
Recently, reports have returned of an organization known as the Dark Embrace, a society of Demon Hunters secretly dwelling beneath the Barrow Dens of Darkshore and Felwood. Fearing persecution that would surely follow if caught by the Alliance, these Night Elf Demon Hunters continued their craft hidden away in the Barrow Dens of Felwood, honing their abilities and fighting to purge the ancient forests of demonic corruption. Having learned that the Night Elves are slowly re-accepting the Highborne back into their society, the Demon Hunters are taking this opportunity to bring themselves to light, and hopefully win back the trust of their kin and rejoin the Alliance.
Naturally, the Demon Hunters are met with intense hatred and mistrust by the rest of Night Elven society, and shuns them back into the shadows, but at that exact moment, a firestorm of Infernals assault Darnassus as minions of a powerful Pit Lord attack the Night Elven capital. Night Elf players will assist the Dark Embrace in fighting off the demons in the city, proving their worth to Night Elven society. As a result, Malfurion see’s the value that these Demon Hunters may serve in the inevitable coming battle against the Burning Legion, and accepts them back into their former homes. Dark Embrace has taken to training new recruits, as well as teaching battle hardened Night Elf veterans a thing or two about the art of Demon Hunting.
Unlocks: Demonfire Eyes and Body Tattoo Customization Options for Night Elves.
Gnome - Partial Re-Origination
After the events of the assault on the Titan compound of Ulduar, many Gnomish inventors and anthropologists took great interest in the Titanic Watcher Mimiron, the progenitor of the entire Gnomish race. Inversely, Mimiron took an even greater interest in the Gnomes; here they were, his greatest creation, biologically transformed by the Curse of Flesh. There was no time for intellectual debate however, as hideous mechanical aberrations, products of Mimiron’s corruption fueled invention spree, sprung back to life and surrounded the Spark of Imagination. It’s up to Gnome players to battle alongside Mimiron and defeat the mechanical horrors.
Upon victory, Mimiron was quick to offer the Gnomes complete re-origination at the cost of their mortal bodies and all of their memories, but the Gnomes were quick to decline. He made another offer, partial re-origination, partially infusing their bodies and their minds with Titan technology. Many Gnomes were actually pretty okay with this, and Mimiron prepared a device that would augment their bodies with Mechagnome technology.
Unlocks: Mecha-Gnome Augmentation Customization Options for Gnomes.
Orc - Purge Demonic Corruption
By orders from then Warchief Garrosh Hellscream, the Kor'kron Dark Shaman devised a procedure for purging the last trace of demonic corruption from an Orc, presumably to bring his True Horde one step closer to his vision of a pure-blooded, Orcish Horde. According to records that were recovered from the Siege of Orgrimmar, it appears as though the Dark Shaman were ultimately successful, and though the Dark Shaman are no more the method of purging the corruption lives on. This attracted great interest to the Orcs, as the prospect of being able to revert themselves back to their old selves was one that held very desirable. During the ritual however, a wave of demons assaulted the city, hell bent on preventing the Orcs from being free of all demonic taint. It’s up to Orc players to defend the ritual process and fend off the demonic forces.
Unlocks: Mag’har/Blackrock Customization features and tribal tattoo options for Orcs.
Troll - Tribal Unification
Following the defeat of the Council of Elders in the Throne of Thunder, Zul’s grip on the troll tribes disintegrated and the troll tribes of the world descended into chaos. Vol’jin, seeing this as a valuable opportunity, invited all those who sought sanctuary a place in his Horde, under one condition: sever all ties with their past tribes and pledge complete allegiance to the Horde. As expected, many trolls from the Drakkari, Amani, Gurubashi and Farraki tribes from every corner of the world accepted his invitation.
The Zandalari, furious with Vol’jin for seizing a sizeable amount of their power, launched an assault on Orgrimmar, to show the defected trolls what it meant to betray the Zandalari. Troll players are tasked with defending Orgrimmar from the assault, fighting alongside their newfound brotha’s from the various troll tribes.
Unlocks: Frost/Sand/Forest Troll Features, also no more Troll raids ever again.
Goblin - Kaja Fiend
Years following the destruction of Kezan, a number of adventurous young Goblins set off back to their homeland to pilfer whatever riches they could find amidst the wreckage. What they found, however, was much more exciting (and valuable). They discovered that the Cataclysm had unearthed ancient deposits of pure, liquid Kaja flowing deep within the watery caverns of the now flooded Undermine. Exponentially more volatile and strangely addicting, the pure Kaja has been coined ‘Liquid Innovation’ by the few who have tried it. Speaking of those who had tried it, there have been reports of their skin turning strange hues ranging from blue to red, and the development of what appear to be gills on the sides of their necks. Harmless side effects, of course.
Goblin players are sent by Trade Prince Gallywix himself to secure a stake in the liquid Kaja industry, even if it means fighting off any of those who stand in their way.
Unlocks: Gilgoblin Customization Features.
Tauren - Grimtotem
The Grimtotem Clan has since grown to become a formidable force within the Tauren empire under the leadership of Stormsong and Baine Bloodhoof. To honor those Grimtotem who stayed loyal to Baine and the Horde, Vol’jin offers them complete acceptance into the Horde, under the leadership of Baine. However, amidst the celebrations in Thunder Bluff, a thick green fog envelops the mesas, and nightmarish creatures from the Emerald Nightmare pour into the city. It’s up to Tauren players to fend off the nightmare alongside their new Grimtotem brothers and sisters.
Unlocks: Grimtotem customization features and warpaint options for Tauren.
Blood Elf - Darkfallen Pact
The Val’kyr were not the only ones who found themselves ‘unemployed’ after the fall of the Lich King. Following the destruction of Frostmourne by the Ashbringer, the surviving members of the Lich King’s San’layn have been freed from the Lich Kings grasp and have returned to the Eastern Kingdoms and offered their services to the Horde. Though met with extreme cynicism by Lor’themar, Sylvanas rather takes a great deal of fascination in the Darkfallen. A sudden ambush by a pack of Feral Worgen interrupts these negotiations however and forces Blood Elf players to fight alongside the former servants of the Lich King and defend themselves from the onslaught.
Impressed by their abilities, Sylvanas offers the Darkfallen a place in her Forsaken, amidst protest from Lor’themar, bolstering the Forsaken and further damaging relations with the rest of the Horde. The San’layn, pleased by her decision, offer Blood Elf players their gift, perhaps as a show of irony towards Lor’themar.
Unlocks: San’layn customization options for Blood Elves.
Draenei - ? Eredar ?
Worgen - ? Alpha Worgen ?
Undead - ?
TL;DR Solo Scenarios that Unlock Sub-Race Customization Features, giving players the ability to be Dark Rangers, Demon Hunters, Viking Warriors and more.
Any additional lore tidbits or recommendations would be super helpful!
Thanks
- Shoc