The "World of Warcraft: Exploring Kalimdor" has finally been released this week! Here are some of the major lore updates, which I found personally very vague, limited and underwhelming compared to the previous book, and I had much higher expectations, honestly.
HORDE:
- Azshara's pollution from goblin industrialization has tainted Durotar's natural water supplies, perhaps permanently, resulting in regular water shipments from the tauren in Mulgore.
- Gallywix's Pleasure Palace still remains, Gallywix is still gone and nowhere to be found seemingly.
- Misha (the bear) enjoys riding the cars on the rocket tracks sometimes.
- There is a new dock at the Echo Isles supporting travel to Zulduzar, further connecting the two troll factions of the Horde.
- The Shatterspear trolls signed a peace treaty before the Cataclysm with the night elves (non-aggression pact), broke it afterwards, and now have renewed their peace treaty after the Battle of Darkshore, but remain within the Horde, providing them with a strategic base deep in night elf territory.
There is also a brand-new Shatterspear troll character and chieftain, Ohseso, loyal to the Horde and its interests.
https://wowpedia.fandom.com/wiki/Ohseso
- Some of the Horde honestly think they should not be forgiven for the Burning of Teldrassil, and silently contemplated its ruins for a very long time.
- The Earthen Ring is still active and open to both factions' members.
ALLIANCE:
The humans:
- Control Tirisgarde Keep in Durotar, the Northwatch Expeditionary Unit remains posted there.
- Controls and has reinforced Honor's Stand in the neighboring Barrens.
The night elves:
- The Alliance has retaken (most of) Darkshore, except for Shatterspear Vale, but has abandoned Bashal'Aran, its base of operations after the Battle of Darkshore. Ameth'Aran, the other Highborne city in Darkshore, is also in ruins. The Night Warrior, or the “Avatar of the New Moon" empowered the Kaldorei Empire against the trolls in pre-Sundering times, and there are other avatars also, but undescribed, for each different phase of Mu'sha. The night elves still somewhat patrol Darkshore's roads, but seem to have their forces and attentions diverted elsewhere (perhaps other parts of Kalimdor). However, post-Battle of Darkshore, most life in Darkshore is seemingly gone, or essentially dead, and much of the land seems abandoned or uninhabitable. Onu, the Ancient of Lore in Darkshore, welcomed the Horde representatives to the Grove of the Ancients, and even shared some of his ancient wisdom with them.
- Ashenvale remains heavily contested between the Alliance and the Horde, or rather the night elves and the Horde. The night elves control Astranaar, Stardust Spire, the Howling Vale, and the Shrine of Mel'Thrandis, and successfully reclaimed the Mor'shan Ramparts (the Horde outpost entrance into southern Ashenvale). The night elves and Horde are still fighting fiercely over other bases, such as the Splintertree Post and the Warsong Lumber Camp.
- Azshara, or at least some parts, is also a point of perpetual conflict - with the night elves of Talrendis Point constantly attacking the Horde base of Valormok, and it is feared by some in the Horde that they might seize control of the base, the Horde Council is to be contacted for reinforcements.
- Mount Hyjal and Nordrassil are not really mentioned (other than an ancient owl creature Ban'thalas being Malorne's ally and having stood together in the War of the Ancients) but the Cenarion Circle is confirmed to still accept druids from both factions. No new capital of the night elves is discussed.
- The Cenarion Hold has been re-established in Silithus, Staghelm Point is also restored, with a new Sentinel Tree planted by the druids like they did against Ragnaros in the Cataclysm.
The draenei:
- The Exodar is successfully repaired and capable of travel, Velen is still leading the draenei! But their people favored the Vindicaar to include all of Azeroth's forces against the Legion during the last war.
- They are on cordial (if not friendly) terms with the Horde, and several draenei, Ya'rika and Kea'ton, gave the Horde representatives a tour guide of the Exodar.
- They have tried to purge the radiation on Azuremyst Isles resulting from the crash (the Isles are called "View of Unending Stars" or Nar'valas in Darnassian), but to little avail.
P.S. I know we can also discuss the specific characters, etc., but I ask that most people try to focus on the content and the lore, such as the locations and the political changes, first and foremost, other things can be discussed in great detail on other threads.
Active Thread Warnings:"The husk of the tree still smolders from the fire the Horde rained down on it that day. What was destroyed may never be regrown—what we did, never forgiven. Though it be a harsh thing to say, maybe we shouldn’t be forgiven. Some soldiers lean on their duty, their pride, their faith in the Horde... like that could make sense of what happened here. Seems to be a brave face to hide behind.
Even in its ruin, I can still see how Teldrassil was easily tall enough to reach the sky. The clouds that caressed its crown now cling to the charred bark of the hollowed-out tree, as if wrapping arms around a friend to grieve its passing. The Horde broke the crown of the heavens and replaced it with one of cinders. Time and the elements’ll reclaim the tree, but I hope they take their time. I made a quick offering to Akunda for the night elves. I hope that one day they can find new beginnings again.*
*Hope hurts. He’ll learn."
Let's drop the "racism" cards and derailing tangents into real-world racial and identity politics, as these are not permitted topics in the first place. Keep the discussions centered on the fantasy races of Warcraft.