Originally Posted by
Muradu
Having followed the course of the lore, both prior to and following the introduction of MoP, I find myself increasingly curious when it comes to the Alliance dissatisfaction with respect to the progression of their lore. The following excerpt is how i've generally understood and indeed, enjoyed the Alliance for a number of years:
- Darkmoon Faire Cataclysm Promotion: Fortune card
Now firstly, I understand why many Alliance players have longed for some for of vengeance with respect to the Siege of Orgrimmar; not least given the crimes that the Horde have committed over the past two expansions without any apparent care or regret. The sacking of Gilneas, the blighting of Southshore, the destruction of Theramore; these are just a few losses that the Alliance has incurred at the hands of the Horde over the past number of years. At best, however, the Horde can only claim one or two notable instances of injustice at the hands of the Alliance (and even then, on a much lesser scale);
- The raiding of Camp Taurajo; an attack which was intended to be honourable, as demonstrated General Hawthorne's orders to permit evacuation; but which was carried out badly due to the nature of his subordinates carrying it out. He pays the price with his death.
- The events in Dalaran; Jaina having captured/imprisoned numerous Blood Elves in her anger, which appears to still be the case according to Lor'themar's dialogue on the Thunder Isle. The ethics are questionable, but one can't blame Jaina with a clear conscience given the the perpetrators of Theramore's destruction are still unapprehended.
In my eyes however, the Alliance is not defined, nor controlled, by personality traits such as the need for revenge; and the Siege of Orgrimmar is going to demonstrate this fact perfectly. We are not like Garrosh's Horde, which permitted the indiscriminate killing of men, women and children in Theramore, Gilneas and various other locations. If anything, the Horde are the losers in the Siege of Orgrimmar; whether they are serving Garrosh, or Vol'jin. What is the best one can say for the rebels/playable Horde faction? Well, the simple fact is that this story will in many ways portray them as hypocrites; for years, they proudly waged war with the Alliance. Not only that, but post-Cataclysm, they were the individuals who helped to make Garrosh's Horde a reality; and only now do they turn against their Warchief, when the tide is not in their favour.
Nazgrim being a raid boss in Siege of Orgrimmar, perfectly epitomizes the 'honourable' Horde; something that the rebels and playable Horde in this instance, are not. Nazgrim made a vow to serve his Warchief and, whatever the condition or state of his Warchief, and whether it means his own life or death, Nazgrim will be shown to uphold that vow, and his honour, in serving Garrosh to his last breath. He upholds his oath without reservation; and he will die for it. The Rebel/Playable Horde however, in this instance, are shown to express the ultimate humility. They ask the Alliance for help; and the Alliance have no reason to help the Horde at all. Why would they? After the destruction of Theramore, Gilneas, Southshore and various other places, the Alliance were perfectly at liberty to let Orgrimmar burn and the Horde rot; but they do not. The Alliance sets aside its faction differences, in the face of a corrupt Warchief who threatens war upon the world at large.
Historically, the Alliance might well have been shown to follow in the footsteps of the Russian soldiers who raped and pillaged their way to 'liberating' Germany, just as we will be liberating Orgrimmar; but we will do no such thing. We will march into Orgrimmar, alongside these rebels who have forsaken their honour for our aid, and we will crush the tyrant that is Garrosh, and all of his fanatical supporters. And then what will we do? Will we crush the Horde when it is at its weakest; destroy their city and leave them honourless and hopeless? Not at all; the actions of the Alliance are going to set an example. The Alliance will not meet genocide with genocide; as could have been the case after the indiscriminate destruction and slaughter in Gilneas and other places. We will not crush our enemy faction when they are at their weakest. We will turn the other cheek, even when there is no tactical argument for doing so. We will give the Horde something that was not shown to the Alliance under Garrosh; mercy. What will happen after the fall of Garrosh? The Horde at large will not only have to atone for its sins, but also remain morally indebted to the Alliance. If the Horde learns from this? Then perhaps there will be peace. If they do not? Then the lesson will no doubt be taught again.
Justice and wisdom; these are just some of the traits that the Alliance has come to be associated with, and they will not forsaken nor exchanged in favour of the Horde's "eye for an eye" philosophy. Whatever happens after the Siege of Orgrimmar will remain to be seen, but there is no reason whatsoever for the Alliance to deem themselves subject to some sort of injustice or bad story telling thus far; it is entirely in keeping with what the Alliance either is, identifies with or aspires to be.