For the record, I actually REALLY enjoyed the story content of this last patch.
One thing that really stood out to me, though, was in visiting Maldraxxus, the conversation Calia has there. It is implied that despite being resurrecting with the combination of Light and Shadow magic, she’s told that she “sees a difference where there is none”.
I’m… not really sure that checks out. But moreover, it’s NOT very interesting.
Now keep in mind, I actually LIKE what they’re doing with Calia Menethil. I feel like her voice sounds a little too “old” for her (she’s presumably mid-to-late 30’s, she sounds quite a lot older), but I was actually excited to see the character get some meaningful development.
However, liking a character does NOT mean they automatically get a pass on an easy journey. In fact, in writing, often times the best method to get people to like a character IS to throw a lot of hardship their way.
I think this latest quest-chain is an EXCELLENT start to her journey to becoming a trusted member of the forsaken! However, I would stress that it should still be the START of that journey, and treat it as a slow-burn that gradually develops over time.
Something I think would be super compelling actually IS to touch on her distinction from typical Undead. As a product of both Holy and Shadow energies, those powers are typically like vinegar and water. And true to form, I think it would make a lot of sense for her body, her very being, to become unstable.
Maybe she starts getting flashes or visions of the Void Lords, reaching through her connection to the Shadows, causing her immense pain. In this way, I could see her forming a unique connection to Alleria Windrunner, who is also touched by the Void, but whose struggles are still different. Where Alleria “hears voices”, Calia deals with bouts of physical anguish, like her own body is trying to rip her apart.
This is obviously COMPLETELY different from anything the Forsaken have ever dealt with – but in all actuality, could prove to be the exact catalyst her character needs to BECOME accepted by the Forsaken. That THEY are willing to set aside their differences to try and aid her. That even bearing the name Menethil and all that once came with it, they begin to recognize her as a tortured soul as well.
This might manifest in Forsaken NPC’s sending you to aid her. Perhaps they send you to reach out to the leaders of the Alliance for aid; with Turalyon currently speaking for the throne of Stormwind, maybe initially he declines to aid her in any way, seeing her as “an abomination”, only for Alleria to question him, that if she’s touched by the Void as well, does that make her “an abomination” as well? A bit of drama there, but perhaps Turalyon relents (or their son, Arator the Redeemer, stepping in), pointing you in the direction of finding some form of aid.
You could do a million different things with that sort of story. Maybe they have you speaking with Alexstrasza, inquiring if the Life-Binder herself has any ideas how to save Calia. Or maybe it could set-up a future expansion.
Either way, the point is this:
Calia Menethil is actually a cool character. She IS different from the rest of the Forsaken, but that doesn’t NEED to be treated as a negative! Leverage it, and just don’t push TOO hard in trying to “make her a faction leader” or anything. Just let her be “a character”, give her some compelling trials to overcome, and give the Forsaken opportunities to connect with her more as a character, instead of just TELLING us “she’s basically the same”.