Sub-Races, Scenarios and you!

[shoc]

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Draenei - ? Eredar ?

Worgen - ? Alpha Worgen ?

Undead - ?

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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

[Totle]

Tauren need to have Yaungol and Taunka customizability.

Blood Elves could have Fel Elves (like in Sunwell) and Forsaken could have the San'layn.

Draenei could bring the Broken (like Akama and Nobundo) into the Alliance.

Worgen could have more variety (tails, muzzles) or varying degrees of transformation (think worgen model with human posture)

[Palapwn]

Undead should have Undead High Elves, have them fight back Scourge remnants in the Dead Scar.

[shoc]

Undead should have Undead High Elves, have them fight back Scourge remnants in the Dead Scar.

I feel like something like Undead High Elf features would be a character creation screen thing, not so much a max level "race upgrade" so to speak.

[Palapwn]

I feel like something like Undead High Elf features would be a character creation screen thing, not so much a max level "race upgrade" so to speak.

Unless they get a more unique model than normal Undead and Blood/High Elves

[Icaras]

While I kinda like the idea, the only thing that springs to mind for me is: Let's say I want a dark iron dwarf toon, but have no dwarves ATM. Your idea kinda sounds like it would require me to roll a standard ironforge dwarf, then do the scenario, and...be offered a free recustomise? or would I have delete that dwarf and remake a new one, only now I've unlocked dark irons?

Maybe these could be small micro scenarios to explain the sub race, so somebody choosing dark iron dwarf would play a tiny micro scenario to explain dark irons joining the alliance, and then be dumped into the standard dwarf starter area.

[Deleted]

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.

I'm sorry but this is a poor implementation of a good idea overall. In lore this would mean that ALL Orcs would choose to remove the traces of demonic corruption and go back to being brown and we'd have a problem that some players want to stay green since that's how they always looked. Orcs have always been green, it's near the core of the franchise. You can't mess with that too much. The vast majority of the players and NPCs have to stay green for continuity sake.

I think it would make more sense to just open up a ragtag group of Mag'har warriors. Garrosh joined the Horde from TBC to Wrath, just have some scenario or starting quest explain how more Mag'har joined the Horde and went to Azeroth in a similar fashion as Garrosh did. This would mean not all the Orcs would be brown, just the players that want to play as one. They'd be a minority group just like in the lore, it evens out.

[shoc]

I'm sorry but this is a poor implementation of a good idea overall. In lore this would mean that ALL Orcs would choose to remove the traces of demonic corruption and go back to being brown and we'd have a problem that some players want to stay green since that's how they always looked. Orcs have always been green, it's near the core of the franchise. You can't mess with that too much. The vast majority of the players and NPCs have to stay green for continuity sake.

I think it would make more sense to just open up a ragtag group of Mag'har warriors. Garrosh joined the Horde from TBC to Wrath, just have some scenario or starting quest explain how more Mag'har joined the Horde and went to Azeroth in a similar fashion as Garrosh did. This would mean not all the Orcs would be brown, just the players that want to play as one. They'd be a minority group just like in the lore, it evens out.

While that would work fine for players starting out at level 1, it would lock out already existing characters. All of these are just a means for existing characters to acquire the bonus characterization options without it being weird.

[Al Gorefiend]

Undead should have Humans - former members of the Cult of the Damned now broken apart following the events of Wrath, and unified with Sylvanas' forsaken.

My mock-up:

The Cult of the Damned, once a powerful organization worshipping the Lich King, now fallen apart after his demise. They join forces with Sylvanas and her Val'kyr to become Forsaken themselves.

The Cult of the Damned is an organization of the living beings who serve the Lich King. Members are mostly Human, but including all races. The Cult was formed during the opening days of the Third War, when the Scourge was loyal to the Burning Legion, and establishing its foothold on Lordaeron. The Lich King Ner'zhul, trapped in his prison-throne, reached out telepathically to men, orcs, and elves who lusted for power - most notably the then-Archmage Kel'Thuzad who would become an Archlich and the leader of the Cult of the Damned.

While Cultists aspire to become Undead, they remain alive because: 1. Undeath is considered an honor one must earn, 2. living beings are useful to the Lich King for their ability to spy in living Horde or Alliance settlements, and recruit powerful individuals from among the living, either into the Cult or the Scourge.

http://www.wowwiki.com/Cult_of_the_Damned

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without having to introduce those concepts as Classes in an already Class bloated game.

WoW is by no means class bloated, welcome to an RPG son.

[Bloodjunky22]

now im not saying your scenario ideas are bad or anything i just dont feel the need to make them to add much needed sub-races to the game.

[Darmalus]

I'd like to see sub-races, but not as reskins.

If it's gonna be a sub-race, it should have a modified skeleton/model. Normal and skinny humans (like the Defias), hunched and un-hunched orcs, jungle and forest trolls, etc.

[Eazy]

I like the idea. :-)

[Deleted]

As much as people think the idea is cool,personally I don't find it very attractive.
Sure,it would seem cool to be able to play as a Brown Orc,but thats as far as it should go,and only in the form of a skin,like in WoW Model Viewer if you take a look.Think about it,if they went as far as some people are suggesting:Vrykul,Darkfallen,Mecha-Gnomes,Corruption-free Orcs?Comon guys.
Every race would completely lose its uniqueness and identity,and everybody would be running around like clowns.Vrykul are (were) under the control of the Lich King,period.That's their iconic feature.Dwarfs aren't supposed to look as if they were made out of coal,there shouldn't be any Undead running around labeled as "Blood Elf Darkfallen",and there should be any robots names "Mecha-gnomes".

[Caerule]

I would love to see sub-races, but specific scenarios for them I wouldn't like. I'd say, let it require achievements or/and rep to unlock. Completed the questlines in Twilight Highlands? Bam, Wildhammer Dwarves/Dragonmaw Orcs unlocked. Mag'har rep Exalted? Bam, Mag'har unlocked. Gnomeregan completed? Bam, green gnomes.

Makes it a nice accomplishment and lets you explore the sub-race origins, but doesn't require more development time for Blizzard. Unfortunately, they seem too swarmed to give us what we want, and what they want to do, already.

[Wyrt]

If they add races(because that's really what's being asked for here) they shouldn't feel obligated to give one to every race because then you end up with stupid crap that makes no sense. If something makes sense to add then do it, if not then don't force it.

[Thandorr]

I think the idea for sub-races is a great one, but this implementation seems less than ideal. The playable scenarios are an awesome touch though and would be great fun to be apart of!

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I would love to see sub-races, but specific scenarios for them I wouldn't like. I'd say, let it require achievements or/and rep to unlock. Completed the questlines in Twilight Highlands? Bam, Wildhammer Dwarves/Dragonmaw Orcs unlocked. Mag'har rep Exalted? Bam, Mag'har unlocked. Gnomeregan completed? Bam, green gnomes.

Makes it a nice accomplishment and lets you explore the sub-race origins, but doesn't require more development time for Blizzard. Unfortunately, they seem too swarmed to give us what we want, and what they want to do, already.

I think this is a great implementation; better than scenario implementation.

[Windfury]

Seriously? Eredar in the Alliance?

/dies inside

[Raugnaut]

Seriously? Eredar in the Alliance?

/dies inside

Broken rather then Eredar for sure.

[Falu]

I like some of your ideas... but I think there are better solutions for some:

Orcs: the "purging" of taint thingy, is kind of a bad idea imo... it's not real taint, they're not corrupted, it's the renaments of past corruptions:
Free demons or the legion will have no interest or care about the skin color of free-minded orcs.

What makes sense to me regarding Orcs and their skin, is simple... Mag'har Orcs who would like to serve under the Horde, join it... the end..
Blackrock Orcs who would like to serve under the Horde, join it... the end #2...
You could devise a scenario where you perhaps have to fight your way through some legion influenced / corrupted orcs or other minions, who want to sabotage the proccess of the Horde getting more supporters.

Taurens:

The Grimtotem clan already has members loyal to Thunder-Bluff, perhaps for a full merge, make a scenario where Baine, aided by the hero and other Taurens, over-throw Magatha Grimtotem from the clan's leadership, and take full control of the Grimtotems... which makes ALOT MORE SENSE than some random "emerald-dream" invasion... Magatha did cause his father's death, afterall... that scum...
Taunka: Already apart of the Horde, this scenario can merge with the one mentioned above: Magatha has tried to sabotage the joining of the Taunka to the forces of Thunder Bluff, as it weakened her influence and increased Baine's, thus Baine, the Grimtotems loyal to him, and Taunka forces, raid her clan to overthrow her!


Trolls:

Vol'jin, being the strongest Troll on Azeroth (as the Warchief of the Horde), gets a flow of defecting Trolls from the various tribes of Azeroth (including some from the Zandalari - giving trolls a Straight-Back option!).
The Zandalari, led by Rastakhan (whos presumed to be dead, but I hope not), are not disintegrated, just weakend, they will not attack orgrimmar, they send trolls of their own, led by a wise spy (to be named), to pretend being defecting troops, they than try to create chaos, and war-mongering between the various Trolls who have just joined the Horde, the scenario is to un-cover them and defeat their leader (that Spy guy, possibly someone who got close to Vol'jin).

Dwarves:
I don't get why you insist on these so-called "surprise attacks" by weak beings.... the Dark Iron Dwarves & Wildhammer Dwarves, are already, lore-wise apart of the Alliance, a short scenario can explain their reasoning for doing so, perhaps defeating a few Dark Irons who try to sabotage the merge (much like the Orc one, but no demonic influences this time, perhaps Ragnaros loyalists).

Blood-Elves:
The San'layn do not belong with the Blood-Elves, they belong in the Forsaken, if at all...
They should be a sub-faction of the Forsaken: just like they were in the scourge, and only allowed to play Mages / Priests and Warlocks...

Blood-Elves should unlock Red / Blue eye colors from a scenario, that allows them to purge themselves of demonic corruption by the use of the Sunwell, or if they choose, imbue themselves with Anima from the anima technology they gathered in 5.2, fighting against High-Elf Alliance loyalist who try to sabotage their plans (maybe Kirin'tor loyalists?)
Unlocking body tattoos makes sense too, there are Blood-Elf demons hunterss... and they are really close to them fel-energies and demons (a scenario of fighting demons... no surprise attacks plz..).

Draenei:
Defecting Eredars - fighting a scenario against the agents of the burning legion who are trying to prevent the defecting Eredars from joining Velen.
Broken - The Broken are already apart of the Draenei (some of them), maybe a sceanrio where we accept the Ashtongue Deathsworn back in the Draenei as the full members they once were - the scenario will involve fighting racist Draenei who do not want the "filth" of the broken to taint their "purity", and thus made a deal with the legion.

Goblins:
-Gilgoblins already exist, it is not "liquid kaja" that made them so... instead, have a scenario explaining why some Gilgoblins join the Horde under the Bilgwater, with the fighting happening against the Gilgoblins who try to stop them aided by Nagas.

-Another suggestion, which I like better (cuz it's mine ): Playable Hob-Goblins, these are more recent versions of Hob-Goblins, who have been created via a better, enhanced version of the potion which made the original ones: these Hob-Goblins, maintained most of their intelligence, if not all, and are thus - strong brutish goblins:
The scenario for this case is interesting, and will be awesome imo: The free-thinking Hobgoblins, including the player, fight their Bilgwater opressors, and gain themselves a legitimate place within the Bilgwater cartel (perhaps happening in some dungeon where they're kept behind bars!)

- A 3rd suggestion: Goblins infused with mechanical aids, such as a robotic leg, arm, shoulder, as a result of injuries - the scenario can be anything that gets their limbs off

Worgen:
I disagree with an Alpha-Worgen type, as most people will pick an Alpha-Worgen, basically making it the obvious choice..
I have a better idea, me thinks: After establishing that the Worgen curse cannot be lifted or cured, a somewhat partial consmetic "solution" has been made: via Alchemy, Magic, or Druidism the visual aspects of the curse could be minimized to a degree, making a half-breed between a Worgen and a Human:
Unlocks features such as: Human with worgen features (eyes, teeth, ears, arms, legs etc..) Worgen with human features: smaller body, human-like arm... basically, playing with body parts... the scenario will be to fight either against Worgens who find the "cure" shameful or against Forsaken forces who stol the "cure".

Undead:
-The San'layn: needless to explain why they join the Forsaken... (same reason as Val'kyrs): A scenario where you fight off Alliance trying to prevent the merge, maybe Worgen forces?
-Undead Trolls: fighting the Drakkari trying to prevent the violation of their fallen comrade's sanctity.
-Undead High-Elves: Fighting off High-Elves Alliance forces trying to prevent the desceration of their comrades, Lorthemar is aiding the high-elves behind the scenes, but does not want to get in conflict with Sylvanas.

I'll add my take on Humans / Night Elves and others later... no time.
I obviously love the notion of sub-races and scenarios elaborating about them.

P.S, love the work you did on the race mock-ups shoc

[Tydrane]

This thread reminds me of something I thought about since the other one about why Blood Elves can't be like Pandaren came up. If the Alliance got High Elves, could the Horde get Eredar? I mean, if there were defectors, it wouldn't be the first instance of the Horde accepting an allegiance chiefly for strategic purposes. That's practically the only reason the Forsaken are Horde - Thrall wanted a foothold in the Eastern Kingdoms.