Some of you may have seen me post a few times. I updated my transmog because Grandblade made a jokey post that I looked too much like him... ha. I've just re-subscribed to the game, and am trying to catch up on some of the lore.
You see, after I killed Arthas for the first time, I satisfied the urge Warcraft III created for me. I just... didn't care about deathwing, and pandas didn't interest me. I thought the premise of warlords of draenor was cool, so I came back for a short time then, and played a lot of the content in legion. But as you can see, I missed a lot of story. I've picked up some of it through in game dialogue, but am missing a lot.
One of my friends told me that the books are a good resource, but i've noticed there seems to be... well, to put it mildly, no love for them here. Would I be wasting my Audible subscription tokens by getting the audio-books (I drive about an hour to work every day, and between family, gaming, and work, my commute is the only time I have to "read")? Despite her (as you all put it) gratuitous love of Anduin, are they worth a read?
Many thanks!
Ah, dude, you didn't hafta do that. We're all human paladins, I'm meant to look like a lot of people.11/01/2018 10:43 AMPosted by ZaltaanI updated my transmog because Grandblade made a jokey post that I looked too much like him
But in my opinion, yes, the books are worth a read. I think Golden's narratives get slammed too harshly because she has a bias, but ultimately they're good at building the universe before the game. And, like it or not, they ARE current lore.
The audio books are well done. By well done I mean voiced well. Her skill at writing is good. They are well detailed, flow well, and definitely set the tone for a scene. Although I'm unsure how much it is me knowing how something looks, sounds, acts, etc because I see it in the game all the time, or because she can adequately describe a tauren without me needing a visual reference to create an abstract instance.
Her ability for story development is poor, at least in this setting, and that is what we all complain about here. Her narratives run contrary to established narratives, many of which we enjoyed. Sylvanas' Undercity turning from a free thinking "paradise" with the freedom to come and go to a totalitarian surveillance state under the guise of 'protection'. Anduin can do no wrong despite being fully crippled in MoP, only being 18, and never really had a chance to lead. Building size creatures sneaking up on Night Elves, in Ashenvale, at night. Things like that.
She writes well, she tells story for shīt
Her ability for story development is poor, at least in this setting, and that is what we all complain about here. Her narratives run contrary to established narratives, many of which we enjoyed. Sylvanas' Undercity turning from a free thinking "paradise" with the freedom to come and go to a totalitarian surveillance state under the guise of 'protection'. Anduin can do no wrong despite being fully crippled in MoP, only being 18, and never really had a chance to lead. Building size creatures sneaking up on Night Elves, in Ashenvale, at night. Things like that.
She writes well, she tells story for shīt
11/01/2018 10:54 AMPosted by GrandbladeAh, dude, you didn't hafta do that. We're all human paladins, I'm meant to look like a lot of people.11/01/2018 10:43 AMPosted by ZaltaanI updated my transmog because Grandblade made a jokey post that I looked too much like him
But in my opinion, yes, the books are worth a read. I think Golden's narratives get slammed too harshly because she has a bias, but ultimately they're good at building the universe before the game. And, like it or not, they ARE current lore.
Hey, I'd been wearing T6 shoulders since I earned them in Black Temple during BC. It was time for a change.
11/01/2018 10:58 AMPosted by Zaltaan11/01/2018 10:54 AMPosted by Grandblade... Ah, dude, you didn't hafta do that. We're all human paladins, I'm meant to look like a lot of people.
But in my opinion, yes, the books are worth a read. I think Golden's narratives get slammed too harshly because she has a bias, but ultimately they're good at building the universe before the game. And, like it or not, they ARE current lore.
Hey, I'd been wearing T6 shoulders since I earned them in Black Temple during BC. It was time for a change.
I suppose i should follow that up by saying I main'd a DK during Wrath and basically ignored this guy.
11/01/2018 10:58 AMPosted by AbrahofThe audio books are well done. By well done I mean voiced well. Her skill at writing is good. They are well detailed, flow well, and definitely set the tone for a scene. Although I'm unsure how much it is me knowing how something looks, sounds, acts, etc because I see it in the game all the time, or because she can adequately describe a tauren without me needing a visual reference to create an abstract instance.
Her ability for story development is poor, at least in this setting, and that is what we all complain about here. Her narratives run contrary to established narratives, many of which we enjoyed. Sylvanas' Undercity turning from a free thinking "paradise" with the freedom to come and go to a totalitarian surveillance state under the guise of 'protection'. Anduin can do no wrong despite being fully crippled in MoP, only being 18, and never really had a chance to lead. Building size creatures sneaking up on Night Elves, in Ashenvale, at night. Things like that.
She writes well, she tells story for shīt
Gotcha. Until they get George RR Martin to write the WoW lore, I think we may have that problem for a while.
Then again, if he wrote it, Sylvanas would have died at a wedding a long time ago, so there's that.
Don't whisper me sweet nothings like that.11/01/2018 11:02 AMPosted by ZaltaanThen again, if he wrote it, Sylvanas would have died at a wedding a long time ago, so there's that.
You assume she wouldn't be the one orchestrating the wedding murders.11/01/2018 11:02 AMPosted by ZaltaanThen again, if he wrote it, Sylvanas would have died at a wedding a long time ago, so there's that.
11/01/2018 11:02 AMPosted by ZaltaanGotcha. Until they get George RR Martin to write the WoW lore, I think we may have that problem for a while.
As great as it would be, we don't even need that. We just need competence. Getting Martin is swinging for the fences. We just need a solid base hit.
11/01/2018 11:15 AMPosted by Abrahof11/01/2018 11:02 AMPosted by ZaltaanGotcha. Until they get George RR Martin to write the WoW lore, I think we may have that problem for a while.
As great as it would be, we don't even need that. We just need competence. Getting Martin is swinging for the fences. We just need a solid base hit.
I'd be alright with Bob Salvatore.
His writing for Obould was a promising indicator for his ability to depict sympathetic characters with deliberate values dissonance.
Elaine Cunningham might put out an interesting story, if they asked her to.
Dave Gross should write anything and everything Worgen.
11/01/2018 11:15 AMPosted by Abrahof11/01/2018 11:02 AMPosted by ZaltaanGotcha. Until they get George RR Martin to write the WoW lore, I think we may have that problem for a while.
As great as it would be, we don't even need that. We just need competence. Getting Martin is swinging for the fences. We just need a solid base hit.
I get it, man, if the Yankees could have gotten a solid base hit a couple times instead of always swinging for the fences, we might not be worried about a flying beer damaging the world series trophy right now. Competence is important.
I honestly don't think her books are that bad, although you can clearly tell who her favorites are. They are a trillion times better than Knaak's, that's for sure. At least she can manage to mostly write about both factions and most races without dripping with sneering contempt, unlike Knaak. She really, really, really, really loves Anduin, though.
11/01/2018 11:41 AMPosted by DraegarI honestly don't think her books are that bad, although you can clearly tell who her favorites are. They are a trillion times better than Knaak's, that's for sure. At least she can manage to mostly write about both factions and most races without dripping with sneering contempt, unlike Knaak. She really, really, really, really loves Anduin, though.
I listened to the sample on Audible of Before the Storm, which is chapter 1 in Stormwind. It didn't seem too over the top. I'm sure it gets worse later though.
For better or worse, I used up one of my subscription tokens on Audible, and am the proud owner of Before the Storm now. We'll see how it turns out.
As an aside, if you folks don't have Audible, and you're like me and have a long commute, I'd suggest getting it. Awesome app.
For what it's worth, if I didn't switch over to this new look, OP, you and I would be looking pretty damn similar too. Give or take a few years of rot and decay.
On the subject, personally I enjoy Golden's books. She wrote Rise of the Horde, maybe one of the best stories in Warcraft in my own opinion. Lord of the Clans was good too. Deciding to give War Crimes a read now, can't say object so far, its rather surreal, especially with a close analogue to video evidence in a medieval setting (PAUSE! Look right there! Riiiight there! Coincidence? I think NOT!).
As a Forsaken wonk, I've noticed no glaring inconsistencies with the Forsaken as portrayed by Golden. If anything, she explored their characters more fully.
On the subject, personally I enjoy Golden's books. She wrote Rise of the Horde, maybe one of the best stories in Warcraft in my own opinion. Lord of the Clans was good too. Deciding to give War Crimes a read now, can't say object so far, its rather surreal, especially with a close analogue to video evidence in a medieval setting (PAUSE! Look right there! Riiiight there! Coincidence? I think NOT!).
When on Azeroth's green earth was the Undercity ever a place with the "freedom to come and go"? Sylvanas arrested Koltira and tortured him there to instill loyalty. The only examples of Forsaken going over to the Alliance ended with them being assassinated, specifically addressing the group of Kegan Darkmar, described as "turning their backs on their brethren".11/01/2018 10:58 AMPosted by AbrahofSylvanas' Undercity turning from a free thinking "paradise" with the freedom to come and go to a totalitarian surveillance state under the guise of 'protection'.
As a Forsaken wonk, I've noticed no glaring inconsistencies with the Forsaken as portrayed by Golden. If anything, she explored their characters more fully.
Sylvanas arrested Koltira and tortured him there to instill loyalty. The only examples of Forsaken going over to the Alliance ended with them being assassinated, specifically addressing the group of Kegan Darkmar, described as "turning their backs on their brethren".Interesting you bring him up, I forgot about Kegan for a long time. Doing a little digging, he had a quote that was particularly interesting:
"Remnants of the Old Gods still linger in the deep hollows of the world. New forces seek to harness that ancient power, and those who succeed will have a terrible weapon against their enemies."
He says this before handing over an artifact he stole from the Undercity to a Dalaran mage, somewhat out of fear of its potential. Do you think that this is relevant to the current storyline at all?
I honestly think that it's a story thread that Blizzard forgot, because blood stones haven't been noticeable in the story too recently. Though I do wonder if they'll make it dormant Azerite, like Gallywix's red cane.11/01/2018 12:25 PMPosted by GrandbladeSylvanas arrested Koltira and tortured him there to instill loyalty. The only examples of Forsaken going over to the Alliance ended with them being assassinated, specifically addressing the group of Kegan Darkmar, described as "turning their backs on their brethren".Interesting you bring him up, I forgot about Kegan for a long time. Doing a little digging, he had a quote that was particularly interesting:
"Remnants of the Old Gods still linger in the deep hollows of the world. New forces seek to harness that ancient power, and those who succeed will have a terrible weapon against their enemies."
He says this before handing over an artifact he stole from the Undercity to a Dalaran mage, somewhat out of fear of its potential. Do you think that this is relevant to the current storyline at all?
11/01/2018 11:20 AMPosted by Kirango
I'd be alright with Bob Salvatore.
Is Bob Salvatore the same person as RA Salvatore? If so, I particularly enjoy his writing.
In before people complain about RA Salvatore making a Drizzt Do'urden character affiliated with the Forsaken.11/01/2018 12:29 PMPosted by Zaltaan11/01/2018 11:20 AMPosted by Kirango
I'd be alright with Bob Salvatore.
Is Bob Salvatore the same person as RA Salvatore? If so, I particularly enjoy his writing.
That would honestly be a great level of continuity, which is why I believe firmly that it's going to be that they forgot like you said.11/01/2018 12:29 PMPosted by RothironI honestly think that it's a story thread that Blizzard forgot, because blood stones haven't been noticeable in the story too recently. Though I do wonder if they'll make it dormant Azerite, like Gallywix's red cane.
11/01/2018 11:50 AMPosted by Zaltaan
I listened to the sample on Audible of Before the Storm, which is chapter 1 in Stormwind. It didn't seem too over the top. I'm sure it gets worse later though.
For better or worse, I used up one of my subscription tokens on Audible, and am the proud owner of Before the Storm now. We'll see how it turns out.
As an aside, if you folks don't have Audible, and you're like me and have a long commute, I'd suggest getting it. Awesome app.
BtS is not her greatest, but I think that's mostly because the story it's setting up is already pretty hot garbage, so there's not a lot she can do about that. She didn't write the plot of BfA. There are still some good things about it - the goblin/gnome couple are adorable - but yeah, I mean, it's an Anduin love-fest, and cements Sylvanas as the obvious Big Bad who needs to be taken out.
She writes Thrall pretty well, and he's my favorite character, so I generally enjoy her stuff. Although I do have to share Rothiron's lol at the Law & Order: Azeroth dynamic of War Crimes, which is a super weird book, but fun in its own insane way.