Earthen Druids

Community General Discussion
1

The Earthen should gain access to Druids. They are already made of earth itself. While no, they don’t outwardly seem to worship any wild gods, they could follow Eonar. (And in turn, Freya)

I would see them as a part of the Unbound, preferring to maintain life and nature. They could have ran into the Harronir at some point and learned from them, seeing as we have example of them “interfering,” as a way to put it, against their customs. Teaching the Earthen how to properly connect with nature magic could be possible.

I’ve seen several “shutdown” earthen in various places surrounded by nature, giving a very druidic theme imo. They could choose their shutdown location by using the last of their energy to bloom nature from where they last stood. I think it would be awesome if we could unlock druids as a class for them via a questchain. We could, perhaps in a future patch, learn of this group of unbound who left before we arrived at the Isle of Dorn.

Specifics aside, we would discover of these druidic Earthen and be led to Sholozar Basin where we discover their origins. Many of these Earthen will have been drawn there with their new connection to nature; to seek an old titan facility dedicated to the functions of nature. These Earthen would have encountered a construct of Freya who has gone haywire. The players needing to repair the machine so the Earthen Druids can learn shape-shifting, and unlock the class.
(Obviously, this is just an example of a questchain)

Now for the important stuff, the forms. To keep the flavor in line, these forms would have to be made of stone and metal. Runic carvings cover the form while gems encrusted their body. Different mosses could cover their forms like fur. Crackling energy of a color that matches the gems. A mane of cracked shale or exposed geodes.

For Bear we have existing examples of the Claws of Ursoc. A bear made of stone, moss and gems, with descriptions matching above. Or for uniqueness, make it a stone mole.(bonus points if it has the bipedal/gorilla-like model.)

For feral we can go with Stormwolves with similar appearances. Or even a form of wingless deepflayer.

Travel forms can be a Cloud/Stormrook for flight and ramolith for travel. Aquatic form is a difficult one. Perhaps a stone eel or riverbeast.

For moonkin form, it would pair well if we also discovered a race of Earthen owlkin, we’ll just call them stonekin for now. They could be an early form of Earthen that were long since discarded, allowing them to live dormantaly in sealed off crypts in Khaz Algar and Sholozar Basin. (Would be interesting if they once filled a role similar to that of stewards in Shadowlands, before being locked away.) These forms would have similar stony and gemmed appearances, with a coat of old man’s beard instead of feathers.

I really love the Earthen and their story, what do others think of them having access to the class?

6 Likes
2

I find it a little hard to see them as druids, just like seeing undead as druids doesn’t make sense. Nature is all about utilizing what is NATURAL. and the flow of energy around you, communing with spirits of beasts and nature itself to heal your friends and wound your enemy’s. the earthen aren’t natural in a sense. They were created and GIVEN life by machines. Forced to exist and obey this tenant of wills from the titans. Nothing natural about it, goes against the very nature of what a druid is.

Same with undead. There isnt anything natural about them. Their affinity for flora/fauna isn’t substantial enough or exist at all, and they themselves are merely a wound of nature itself. Forced to be risen by dark energy, a wound in the cycle of life one would say. An affront to nature itself.

3

Well Earthen can already be shamans. Shamans can shapeshift sort of already with ghost wolf. And the stormrooks make shaman a pretty thematic choice.

They added more classes to Dracthyr, so I don’t see why they couldn’t druids. Though I think that Zelebra makes a decent point in that Earthen were created by the titans.

However, Eonar is a titan and is literally referred to as the “Lifebinder” as she channeled her power through Freya into Alexstraza.

So there is I think some argument that there is a connection of the natural world to the titans as well. (At least one titan).

As for forms? The druids already have a stone bear form from legion as you pointed out. Not sure if there needs to be a quest, but I kind of dig the connection to Eonar/Freya. But I am not sure…depending on story implications in War Within.

There is also a connection to Magni. It was Eonar who reached out to Magni (speaker of Azeroth), asking for his aid.

The Warcraft RPG is considered non-canon. But in the RPG…

Eonar is a female Vanir titan. Her classes are Healer and Druid of the Wild. She wields a staff named Seschenal.

Eonar’s portfolio includes nature, healing, life and, as she is a member of the Pantheon, creation and order. Dwarves and others who respect the titans revere Eonar, if they know of her. Azeroth’s red dragons pay her special homage; they honor her memory by constantly battling chaos and destruction

I could see it more than I could see Forsaken being druids tbh.

4

There’s an argument to be made since the Freysworn exist.

The problem with Earthen, and any new druids, going forward is that druids are supposed to have a connection to the Emerald Dream and we’ve been there and not seen any Earthen or Dracthyr, so they’re going to have to come up with some excuse for them being brand new.

1 Like
5

The idea that Earthen and Forsaken can’t use life energy is a little bit like the idea that Elves can’t use demonic or death energy.

6

Pretty sure that being made out of stones only applies to shamans.
Druids tend to the land and the fauna that grows on it.
And can talk to trees n all that.

Shamans just speak too spirits and can do avatar spells n what not.

7

Yea, i also don’t agree with night elves being warlocks. Doesn’t make sense.

My whole problem with opening all race/class combos, is it destroys the very essence of these cultures, ideals and religions that have been building up since original warcraft…i do love the lore, and while i know some spit at it, it has been the pillar of this game for a very long time.

sure, it would be cool to see an undead druid, being a rotting bear or even a fel infused bat shapeshift form, but lore wise, and history wise, it doesn’t make sense for that race to be such. :dracthyr_shrug:

8

The titans went around bringing and shaping life and order, as stated by wowpedia. While yes they were created for a purpose, the existence of the Unbound frees them from the titans. Eonar is even described as being literally the “titan patron of all life and nature.” I’d argue there is potential for strong connections to life itself.

The Earthen being broken free from the Edicts, or the new Earthen being infused with essence from azeroth (lack of a better term.) Could be good explanations why we haven’t seen them yet. This could be shown via unlock quest, for e.g, learning how to connect with the Emerald Dream from the harronir, or directly from a construct of Freya.

Druids in legion had bear forms made of stone.

Blood Elves used demonic/fel magic, trolls have been warlocks forever. Nightborn are warlocks. I’d argue that if all other evolutionary stages of a troll/elf have potential for that magic, then night Elves could as well.

Undead can be monks and Holy priests. LFD can be warlocks. Mechagnomes can be monks, priests, and warlocks. While these don’t make the most sense, atleast the explanations we have gotten are like ok, sure. Sounds plausible

9

Earthen Druids was a missed opportunity imo. Being available to both factions, having lore that would support it, and little things like the Legion Artifact forms. Stonepaw Druid form for claws of Ursoc. We have dinosaur druids… earthen druid would’ve been nice

10

There is a giant gem of light and void the Stonekin druids could harness for their eclipse powers, it would make perfectish sense. Love this idea, pissed I have to live another expansion as a freaking wolf, elf, or a fat guy.

11

Thats perfect, didnt even think of it

12

That has nothing to do with being a Druid.

The Freysworn were constructed to tend the flora on Azeroth. Not in the Dream. Nor do they have a connection to the Dream or Wild Gods.

So the goal for Blizz would be to justify Titan constructs in the Dream. Not that difficult to do. But not at the top of their priority list, as they need to create new assets for forms.

13

Tending flora seems like a good start imo. But they do have a connection with the titans. Freya is a titan, and she is said to have created the Emerald Dream according to h ttps://warcraft.wiki.gg/wiki/Emerald_Dream

Cenarius is standing on a titan-looking structure during the Emerald Nightmare raid.
h ttps://wow.zamimg.com/uploads/guide/images/10596.jpg

Hopefully, we can get something cool to fulfill that in a future patch

14

I’m not sure why you’re trying to explain lore to me that I already know and talked about, instead of just reading my entire post before replying.

15

Its not that hard to make assets for forms they could put 1 dude with the powers of AI on it and bang out 5 forms in a weekend, PLUS, they dont HAVE to add assets until later. PLUUUUUUUUUSSSS most assets use the same rigs, so its really not that difficult.

1 Like
16

And yet they’re not wasting time to do so and we were specifically told those classes that require more assets will be some of the last to be done.

I swear, this forum is like talking to children who refuse to listen. :expressionless:

Sorry, I’m grumpy today.

17

Name calling is not how you win arguments, 30k post history…

18

Good thing I didn’t call you names. I called out the entire forum for acting like children and armchair devs, as if they know how things work and are run at Blizzard.

And I’m tired of it.

19

Your problem is that you’re excusing a billion-dollar AAA gaming studio that has near limitless resources. It’s not a matter of needing to prioritize based on asset requirements. With their budget and access to talent, they have more than enough capability to address the issues you’re mentioning without delays.

Moreover, the idea that developing assets for a few character models takes an unreasonable amount of time isn’t accurate. One skilled developer or designer can create and program assets for multiple characters without it being a significant hurdle. There are countless examples in the industry of small teams or even solo developers accomplishing similar tasks quickly.

Instead of dismissing criticism or resorting to name-calling, it’s more productive to hold such a well-funded company accountable for delivering on its promises.

20

This right here is what I’m talking about.

And I have no interest.